Bones of Callaley by Colin Youngman

Author:Colin Youngman [Youngman, Colin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-17T16:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

Hannah remained unavailable. Ryan sent her another message.

‘Nobhead here again. Can you ring me asap? It’s about the Roswell incident.’ Bloody predictive messaging. He tried again. ‘Boswell incident at the Hoppings. It’s important. Ta. x’

By the time Ryan arrived returned to the office, Nigel Trebilcock was back at his desk. They swapped updates, and agreed the significance of Ivor Hickson’s revelation was far greater than anything Trebilcock had found at Tomkiss Plumbing. Nevertheless, Ryan scribbled the name of Andy Reid on a sheet of A4 as a reminder to ask about his interest in neighbouring gardens. He stuck the sheet to the wall.

Next, Ryan called Aaron Elliot, who was as grouchy as Ryan had ever known him.

‘I told you Rufus would be in touch when he had something for you. Just leave it a couple more days THEN you can get back to me if you’ve still heard nothing. Now, I have a customer waiting. I must see to him. ‘Bye, Sherlock.’

‘Thanks for nowt,’ Ryan mumbled to a dead line. ‘Eric, did you get anywhere on Chaplin?’

‘He’s not on our books. He’s not a therapist. He’s definitely not Marina Hickson’s stepbrother. Apart from that, nada.’

Ryan interlocked his fingers. ‘Right. I think I’m done for the day. Another good day’s work, guys. If we ever get the path lab’s report in the next decade or so, we’ll be good to go. Get yersels away and we’ll start again tomorrow.’

Nigel and Eric weren’t about to disagree and they scuttled off leaving Ryan to clear a tray of ring-marked cups.

‘Sod it,’ he said. He had more important things to do.

**

‘I’ve brought wor tea, Dad. My way of apologising for being a shit yesterday.’ He dropped two cartons of fish and chips on the kitchen bench, leaving Kenzie in a tortured foment, before popping open the living room door.

Norman Jarrod ran a finger beneath red-rimmed eyes. ‘Thanks.’ He blew his nose loudly and wiped away a residual bogey with the back of his hand.

‘Ah, Dad. Sorry, man. I know it was a shock for me but I had nee right to speak to you the way I did.’ He sat alongside his father on the sofa. Took his hand. Norman Jarrod crumpled before Ryan’s eyes.

‘I know you didn’t, son. I know,’ he eventually managed to splutter. ‘I thought I was over it but talking about things has brought everything back again. All these years, and I’m still not ower it.’

‘I suppose it’s not summat you get over easily. I know it’s not the same, but when Hannah told me she’d lost the baby she was carrying, I felt the same - and I’d never had a chance to form a bond so it must be ten-times worse for you.’

Norman sniffed. ‘You know, I never thought of that. Hannah hadn’t told you she was pregnant until she told you she wasn’t. You didn’t know you had a sister until I told you that you hadn’t. It must have been tough for you, Ry. I’m sorry.’

‘Honestly, Dad, I never thought of Hannah and me once when you told me about Rhianne.

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