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‘Another drink?’ asked Izzy.
‘Just a coke, thanks,’ replied Melanie.
‘What about something to eat? I think I’m going to have some pasta. We could share it?’
‘I’m not hungry, perhaps a packet of crisps?’
‘OK, I’ll get those. You can see how you feel when my meal comes. I’ll just be a couple of minutes.’
They were sitting at a table in the garden of The Miller pub which at that time on a Monday evening wasn’t busy. The two friends had been able to have a private chat, and at times Melanie had broken down but she had to admit to herself that she did feel better than she had all day. Izzy had been so kind to her and she felt embarrassed at the way she’d initially greeted her. Perhaps when she was feeling better she could make it up to her, invite her out for a meal or around to her flat.
‘Here you are,’ she said, putting down the drinks. ‘You are looking a bit better since we’ve been here. I’m so glad you told me about, well, about...’ her words petered out and she nodded at Melanie’s left arm which still bore a large dressing.
‘I’m going to speak to my counsellor tomorrow, well not the same one, Trish, she’s off for a couple of weeks but if I explain, I’m sure they will get me an appointment with someone.’
‘Oh, Mel, that’s so good to hear. Let me give you a hug,’ said Izzy, reaching over and embracing her friend, whilst taking care to avoid her scarred left arm.’
‘I feel such a fool. I just sort of spiralled down into a hole and it was impossible to claw my way out. I even thought, well....’ her eyes filled with tears. ‘You know what I thought.’
‘I can stay tonight or why don’t you come to my place?’
‘What about Rob?’
‘Oh, he can stay at a mate’s house. He’ll love that! I’ll phone him now to explain, what do you say?’
‘I don’t want to be any trouble. I’ll be OK.’
‘It’s no trouble. It will be like we are schoolgirls again, having a sleepover.’ Izzy immediately realised she had touched on the subject which was at the root of her friend’s pain. ‘Mel, I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. Please forget what I said.’
‘It’s OK,’ said Melanie, smiling. ‘You don’t need to avoid all talk of my past.’
She clasped her friend’s hand. ‘Do you know, I think I might have a sandwich. I’ll go and order one at the bar.’
‘I’ll phone Rob and explain about tonight. Don’t be too long.’
**
Trish and Tom’s dinner had been largely silent and somewhat strained. They’d eaten with the TV on in the background, catching up with that day’s news. At the end of the national news, the regional programme started, and there was a short account of the SEKare inquiry. It showed the outside of the conference venue and some of the main participants.
‘They didn’t catch you on camera then?’ joked Tom.
‘It’s not a show, Tom.’
‘I know, I just wondered whether you’d be filmed entering the auditorium.’
‘I don’t think the general public had gone in then, the legal team were doubtless there before us. That’s Dame Margaret, she’s a formidable lady.’
‘Yes, she looks like my old schoolmistress. You might get a detention if you misbehave.’
Trish picked up the remote and switched off the TV.
‘I’m sorry I snapped at you earlier. I’m just a bit tense that’s all. I want to help Beth, and her anxiety is rubbing off on me.’
Tom reached over and held her hand. ‘It’s me who should apologise.’
‘It’s just I can’t help comparing my career with others and when someone senior messes up it touches a nerve.’
‘I know, but you shouldn’t do yourself down. You spend your time helping people.’
‘It’s nice of you to say that, but I could have been a clinical psychologist if I hadn’t had my problems.’
‘You do just as good a job,’ he paused. ‘I care about you so much, but it comes over the wrong way. I do trust you, it’s just I still have memories about what’s happened in the past, that’s all.’
‘Look, I’ll give Francine a call tomorrow, see if I can speak to her at lunchtime or perhaps I’ll slip out of the inquiry a bit earlier and meet up with her.’
‘That’s great, thanks, Trish, I’ll feel happier if you do that. Now, what’s for pudding? I’m still hungry!’
Trish smiled. ‘Friends?’
‘More than friends, I’ll show you that later,’ he replied, winking at his wife.
**
It was nearly 8.30 p.m. and Melanie and Izzy were wandering back across the city towards Melanie’s flat and then they were going to get a taxi over to Izzy’s place. In the end, Melanie had only managed half her sandwich as she had begun to feel slightly sick as she ate it. It was probably due to her imposed starvation diet over the weekend, but Izzy was pleased that she had eaten a small amount.
The city centre was fairly quiet as it was a Monday evening and several restaurants were closed after the weekend. One aggressive beggar came right up to them to ask for money.
‘Sorry,’ said Izzy, hurrying past.
‘Give him some change, please,’ said Melanie to her friend.
Izzy hesitated and sighed. She fumbled in her bag for some coins and handed them over.
‘Hope it’s not made you broke, darling,’ said the young man, sarcastically.
‘Piss off,’ said Izzy. ‘Come on, Mel.’
‘Fuck you too,’ said the young man. ‘Miserable bitch!’ he shouted after her.
Melanie’s pace had slowed considerably, and her mood had deteriorated since the pub. Izzy could see how fragile she was. Almost her normal self one moment, the next distant and detached, looking like she had all the troubles of the world on her shoulders. Depending on how she seemed in the morning would determine whether Izzy faked illness in order to stay off work to look after her. They reached the traffic lights at the corner of Old Dover Road. Traffic was moving quite freely as the evening rush hour had now ended.
‘Oh, where’s my phone?’ said Izzy, fumbling in her bag. ‘Where is it, oh, here it is. Hi, Rob,’ she answered. ‘Missing me already?’ Izzy stepped back from the road and put her finger in her ear so she could hear Rob more clearly. ‘So, where are....’ was as far as she got in her next sentence.
A horn blared, tyres screeched. Izzy dropped her phone as a car mounted the pavement, skidded past her and smashed into the wall of a church. She could see the airbag inflate inside the car. Everything happened in a matter of seconds. Cars in both directions stopped, and passengers alighted from their vehicles. The shouts rang out, and people rushed in all directions. She could see one man on his phone, presumably calling the emergency services.
Izzy returned to the moment. Rooted to the spot through shock she silently asked herself, ‘What had just happened and where was her friend Melanie?’
Then Izzy began to scream.
