Her Time to Shine by Fiona McCallum

Author:Fiona McCallum
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQ Fiction
Published: 2022-02-23T00:00:00+00:00

Part Two

Chapter Twenty-four

Sitting at her desk, lost in thoughts flicking back and forth and around and around about Kayla, Jimmy and Issy and Mackenzie, Erica almost jumped out of her skin when Walter appeared in front of her, having come from the back hallway. She looked up at him. The way he was wiping his hands and the focussed look on his face told her he’d just come from the mortuary. She hadn’t even noticed the light shining behind the frosted glass door when she’d passed by just before, nor any noises coming from within.

‘Good morning,’ he said.

‘Good morning. Have we had a new arrival?’ she said, trying desperately to drag some buoyancy up and through the dark lump inside her.

‘We have. A Mr Barrow. Milton. Seventy-one. Stroke. I don’t recall having met him or his family before. Would you like a coffee while I’m up?’

‘Yes, thanks. That would be good.’

Erica stared back down at the desk, her to do list becoming a blur again as her mind drifted once more.

It seemed that just a second had passed and Walter was back and putting a steaming mug in front of her with a clunk and then sitting down on the next chair.

‘So, your girls got back to Adelaide okay?’ Walter asked.

‘Yep. All good.’

‘What a wonderful surprise for you having them visit.’

‘Yes, it sure was.’

‘I’m sure they’ll be back before too long.’

‘I hope so.’

‘Chin up,’ Walter said gently.

‘Sorry. I’m not sure what’s got into me.’ Damn. It had been an automatic response she hadn’t really meant to utter. And it was a lie. Of course she knew what was bugging her – bloody Kayla! And the positively freaky coincidences arising from her meeting Jimmy that morning. She wanted to be honest with Walter, but couldn’t without betraying Jimmy’s confidence. While she hadn’t wanted to give in to her sudden paranoia at wondering if this was a warning for her – and Jimmy, for that matter – she’d relented and sent a text to her police contact, Geoff, to double-check Kayla’s whereabouts. Hearing straight back from him and getting his reassurance that the young woman in question remained in custody had helped, but Erica was still a little out of kilter. It suited her to leave Walter assuming her mood was to do with her missing her girls.

‘Oh, there’s no need to apologise.’

‘Thanks.’ Erica tried to offer him a smile, but it was weak.

‘I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Mackenzie and Issy – what delightful young ladies.’

‘Yes, they’re good, most of the time.’ Erica couldn’t help smiling at picturing their faces: Mackenzie’s often slightly sceptical expression, Issy’s open features a little wide-eyed with wonder and concern for others. ‘Thanks again for the other night, Walter. I had such a lovely evening. And so did the girls.’

‘You’ve very welcome. Thank you. And for bringing two such wonderful helpers.’

‘That was all them – I didn’t even suggest they offer.’

‘And that’s one of the reasons they’re such a credit to you.’

‘Thanks.’

‘I have to say, I’m a little excited about Jennifer’s play idea.

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