Tennison by Lynda La Plante

Author:Lynda La Plante [La Plante, Lynda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781471140532
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Jane’s mother was in tears, her father close to it as they stood outside their Maida Vale flat waiting for the taxi to arrive.

‘I’m perfectly happy to get public transport and it won’t be busy this early in the morning, Dad.’

‘No, you won’t let us drive you there so I’ll pay for the taxi. I’ll not have you lugging that large case across London, especially Hackney.’

Mrs Tennison sobbed and wiped her nose on a hanky she kept tucked in her sleeve. ‘I can’t believe you are leaving Daddy and me all alone, Jane.’

Jane felt quite emotional herself and knew her mother was in some sort of denial, but she was not going to be made to feel guilty about moving out.

‘For goodness’ sake, Mum, the section house is only half an hour away in the car. Besides, you weren’t like this when Pam moved out.’

‘But that was different, Jane: she’d met someone, fallen in love and got married.’

‘I’ll visit on my days off and come home for Sunday roast, so . . . ’

Her mother wafted her hanky as she became more upset. ‘You only get one Sunday off a month . . . it’s deplorable and you must ask for more.’

‘I don’t make the rules, Mum, I just do as I’m told. I get days off in the week like today, and one of your roasts will taste just as good Monday to Friday. I’ll even stay the night if possible.’

Her mother looked slightly calmer. ‘You bring that nice detective that came to see you after the wedding.’

‘He’s a senior officer and my boss while I’m assisting the CID . . . to him I’m just a minion.’

‘Well, he seemed very nice, very polite.’

‘If it makes you happy I’ll ask,’ Jane said, though she didn’t intend to do so.

‘That’s the taxi coming,’ her dad said.

To Jane’s surprise he suddenly stepped forward and embraced her with a loving hug.

‘Like I said you always get your own way,’ he whispered in her ear. He squeezed tighter and kissed her on the cheek.

She whispered back, ‘Thanks for telling her about me moving – you made it easier for me and I will miss you both.’

‘I know, she just worries about you. We both do because we love you so much.’

Jane felt herself welling up and thinking of the loss of her brother Michael. For the first time she wondered if she was doing the right thing by moving out when it came to the effect on her mother.

As her dad put the suitcase in the back of the cab Jane embraced and squeezed her mother tightly before telling her she’d ring later that day to let them know she’d settled in.

Arriving at the section house reception Jane introduced herself to the duty warden, an elderly, grey-haired civilian man who sat behind a small desk drinking his morning cup of tea and enjoying a cigarette. He asked to see her warrant card and then asked her to sign in on the residents’ register.

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