Murder in My Name by Jennifer Jones

Author:Jennifer Jones [Jones, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-08T22:00:00+00:00

***

Janey pulled on her dressing-gown and went to the kitchen for a glass of water. Neil’s mother, Denise, was at the stove, stirring something in a saucepan.

‘Oh! I… um… I thought you’d gone to bed.’

‘Eric and I felt like a cup of cocoa. Would you like some? I can easily add in more milk.’

‘No… no, I’m fine. Thank you.’

‘Were you on the phone to Neil just now?’

‘Er… I… yes. Yes, I was.’

Denise turned to her, a concerned look on her face. ‘I heard you cry out. Is everything all right?’

Janey flamed bright red. As she struggled for an answer, Denise’s expression changed to one of confusion, then an embarrassed realisation. ‘Oh! Oh… I see.’ She smiled hesitantly. ‘Is it any good, that way?’

‘It… does. But… but you mustn’t think we… that we… you mustn’t think we use b-bad words, or anything. Neil would never… he could never be crude. He’s lovely… always…’ Janey wished for the floor to swallow her whole. ‘I’m sorry. I’m sure you don’t really want to talk about your son in this way.’

‘It’s always nice to hear nice things about my children.’ Denise moved the saucepan before the milk could boil over then got out two mugs. She carefully poured a measure of the cocoa into each, then stood back, seeming to become intently focused on the rising steam.

‘Alice looks so much like Neil when he was that age. That happy grin, that fine blonde hair. He didn’t go dark until he was about eight or nine. I can show you some photos if you like.’

‘I’d love to see them. Thank you.’

‘I heard you singing to her earlier – what song was it?’

‘Morningtown Ride.’

‘Yes, I thought I recognised it. It reminded me of how my mother used to sing to him – Welsh lullabies mostly. “All through the night” – that was his favourite.’

Janey’s eyes opened wide. ‘He sings that to Alice! She loves it. You should see them – her tiny hand clasped around his thumb, while she gazes up at him, watching his lips. She listens so intently, it’s like she’s trying to memorise every word. It’s so beautiful.’

‘Is Neil much of a singer?’

‘Well – she doesn’t seem to mind, if sometimes he’s a little off-key.’

Denise’s shoulders sagged. She was only sixty-seven but in that moment she looked like a much older woman. ‘Oh, my boy…’

‘Denise…’ Janey gave her a tight hug, then kissed her on the cheek. ‘I expect you’re wishing he’d become an accountant or something. But then, he and I would never have met.’

‘Oh, you’d have got to know one another at the bus stop, or queuing for coffee, somewhere like that. But no, I’m very proud of what he does.’

‘Yes.’ Janey smiled. ‘Well… you mustn’t let your cocoa go cold.’

‘No.’ Denise brushed a tear from her cheek. ‘Thank you, my dear.’

Janey held the door for her as she carried the mugs. ‘Goodnight, then, Janey. See you in the morning.’

‘Goodnight, Denise.’

Janey went to turn out the light, then noticed that Denise had left the stove on.

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