Sharon had a meeting with Louise Millard, to close off the case and offer any further support she could. Even when an open case was terminated, the agency still offered the women voluntary support so that they didn’t feel alone. With Robert Millard now deceased, Sharon wasn’t surprised that Louise wanted to meet her at a coffee shop. Louise would try to socialize more now, to come out of the psychological and antisocial prison that Robert had kept her locked in.
Sharon ordered a coffee and reviewed the details of the case. She had known Louise for a few years now. Although these women would never treat her as a friend, she maintained a sort of bond with them, even after their cases closed. With Louise, she always feared that someone would end up dead – she just never thought it would be Robert.
Sharon spotted Louise the moment she walked in. Her head was down, her clothes dishevelled, and her shoulders hunched. Louise looked like she’d given up on life. A sadness swept over Sharon. Louise sat at the table and looked at her. It could take years for Louise to feel truly free of Robert. Statistically, it was more than likely she would end up in another abusive relationship.
Sharon clenched her fist at the thought.
‘How are you holding up, love?’
Sharon could see the puffiness in Louise’s eyes as she spoke.
‘I’m OK. Well, I’m not OK. I just don’t know what to feel, Shaz. I hated him. Really hated him. But I loved him too. He was my husband …’
She placed a comforting hand gently over Louise’s and stayed silent. Nothing she could say would help. Eventually she gave her hand a squeeze and smiled. ‘I know. I’m not going to tell you it will get better in time, but I hope it does. You know that. Even though I’m closing down your case, you can still contact me – anytime – OK? Just ring the office and they’ll get hold of me.’
‘Thanks, Shaz. That means a lot. Have the coppers been to speak to you?’
Sharon frowned. ‘Why would they do that?’
‘I thought they might. They were around mine the other day and asked me questions about people I spoke with.’
‘Sorry, love, still confused. Spoke with when? About what?’
‘Just before Robert died. About how I wanted him dead. How I wanted to kill him. And they asked who I said this to and what was said back.’ Her eyes were wide.
Sharon leaned closer and smiled nervously. ‘OKaaaay. And what exactly did you tell them about me?’
‘Look, I didn’t mean anything by it. I thought they were joking. It was just what we talked about at the community centre. Just banter. How you said you’d happily kick the shit out of him and he didn’t deserve to walk this earth. Don’t worry, I said you didn’t actually mean any of it.’ Tears started rolling down Louise’s face and Sharon took out a crumpled tissue from her bag.
Sharon’s face fell. ‘Ah don’t worry, Louise. Like you said it was just banter. You haven’t done anything wrong.’ Shuffling the papers in front of her, Sharon carried on, ‘Shall we just get on with signing these? You’ll then have me out of your hair for good!’
Sharon wondered if the police were going to take Louise seriously. She sipped her coffee and watched Louise sign off the paperwork. Her mobile suddenly rang.
‘Excuse me for a minute, Louise.’ Sharon stood up and walked towards the doorway. ‘Hello? Yes, Louise is here with me now. She said you may want to speak with me. OK, yeah. I can be there in about half an hour.’
Sharon said her goodbyes to Louise and left the building, heading to Markston Police Station.