12.00pm Tuesday 25th December
He stood outside the front door holding a bag of presents. He was nervous. He’d not done this for a long time. He hoped he’d be able to enjoy himself.
Palmer opened the door and shook hands with his colleague. ‘Ian, come in.’ Barrett had never heard Palmer use his first name before.
‘Here you are.’ Barrett handed the presents over awkwardly. ‘Just some things for your boy.’
‘That’s very kind. Thank you,’ Palmer said taking Barrett’s coat and hanging it on the coat stand. ‘Lucas is very excited you’re coming. He’s been talking about it all morning,’ Palmer said and led Barrett into the living room.
Lucas, his son, was sat on the floor playing with a train set he’d just unwrapped. ‘Hello.’ The small boy looked up at the tall policeman. He had his father’s eyes.
‘Hello.’ Barrett knelt down. ‘That’s a nice train.’
‘Do you want to play with me?’ Lucas asked, his expression full of hope.
‘Let Ian come and say hello to Mummy first,’ Palmer said ruffling his son’s hair.
‘Okay,’ the boy said and returned to pushing his train around the wood track.
‘Sally,’ Barrett said warmly as he entered the kitchen to find her setting the table with crackers.
A candelabra with red candles stood pride of place in the middle of the table and the white tablecloth was decorated with small gold stars. It was the kind of table his wife would have approved of.
‘Good to see you, Ian.’ She beamed planting a small kiss on his cheek. ‘So pleased you could join us.’
‘Time for the good stuff.’ Palmer reached into the fridge and removed a bottle of champagne, brandishing it in the air.
‘I’ll get the glasses.’ Sally removed her pinstripe apron and hung it on the back of the door.
‘We got him,’ Palmer said quietly so that his wife wouldn’t hear. ‘We got the sod.’
‘He’s going to be transferred to a psychiatric prison. He attempted suicide last night,’ Barrett said gravely.
‘How?’ Palmer knew that the police were tasked with taking all precautions necessary to ensure prisoners in their care did not come to harm.
‘He was smashing his head against a door. He kept doing it repeatedly. He split the skin on his skull and forehead but kept on going. They got him to hospital in time. He’s very bruised and is now catatonic.’
‘Wow. That’s violent,’ Palmer said raising his eyebrows.
‘What are you two gossiping about?’ Sally appeared holding three champagne flutes. ‘I’ll have no speak of work.’
‘Wouldn’t dream of it.’ Palmer winked at Barrett.
‘Good. Now pour me a drink. That beef isn’t going to carve itself.’
‘Please, Mum.’ Lucas appeared in the doorway. ‘Please can the policeman come and play trains?’
Sally turned to Barrett offering him the final decision.
‘One quick game before lunch.’ Barrett smiled and accepted a glass of fizz from Palmer. ‘It is Christmas day after all.’