What's Mine Is Yours by C. L. Jennison

Author:C. L. Jennison [Jennison, C.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books

TWO WEEKS BEFORE

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

MONDAY

It’s such a busy morning at Image Aesthetic Clinic that Carly doesn’t have time to check her phone until lunchtime. She sees a missed call from an unknown number, with a voicemail. She presses play and puts the phone to her ear. A woman from social services with an efficient-sounding voice asks her to call back as soon as possible and Carly feels herself trembling as she listens.

She immediately messages Fletcher, asking him what to do. Thankfully, he replies within a few minutes, telling her to call them back but not to worry; he’s sure it’s just procedure.

Carly calls the number and is greeted with the same voice who left the message – Suzanne Beckwith. Carly gives her own name as confidently as she can and asks why she has been contacted.

‘Mrs Lawrenson, I understand that your son, Sonny James Lawrenson, was treated in A & E on Saturday?’ Suzanne’s inflection makes it more of a question than a statement.

‘Yes, but he was discharged on the same day. He’s fine. What’s this about?’ asks Carly again.

‘I’m glad to hear he’s fine now, but every child who visits hospital accident and emergency departments or has out-of-hours GP consultations must be logged in a national database. This came into effect in 2015. The child protection information system is designed to help doctors and nurses spot children who are suffering from abuse or neglect.’

Suzanne’s smooth explanation sounds well-trodden to Carly’s ears, which she feels slightly reassured by; Fletcher’s right – it’s just a routine follow-up.

‘Okay, well, I can assure you that my son isn’t being abused or neglected,’ she feels compelled to state regardless, trying to keep the defensive tone from her voice.

‘I’m sure you understand I’m just doing my job, Mrs Lawrenson, for Sonny’s benefit. I’m also here to offer support to you and your family in order to prevent further incidents from occurring. May I just ask a few questions, please?’

Carly purses her lips, knowing it would be futile to say no. ‘Okay, yes, go ahead.’

Suzanne asks Carly to confirm Sonny’s birthdate and then asks her to explain, in her own words, about the events leading up to Sonny’s hospitalisation.

‘I wasn’t actually there,’ says Carly. ‘You’ll have to speak to my nanny; she was looking after him while I was at work. She’ll be able to tell you first-hand what happened.’

‘Your nanny is Polly Blake, correct?’

‘That’s right.’ Carly is impressed yet slightly unnerved by Suzanne’s evident thoroughness.

‘Yes, we will be talking to her, and to your husband, Fletcher. I believe he was the one who called the ambulance for Sonny?’

Carly frowns. ‘No, Polly called the ambulance, but my husband was working close by, and he managed to get back home before it arrived.’ There’s a pause and Carly hears papers shuffling.

‘I’ve got the transcript of the 999 call here, Mrs Lawrenson, and it was definitely your husband who made the call,’ states Suzanne.

Carly shakes her head against the phone. ‘But that doesn’t make any sense. He wasn’t there when it happened.

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