The blue lights flash as the police car crawls along the street. I wonder where they are destined to stop because this time, I know it’s not us. Tom and Jack are playing on the computer upstairs, so I look with curiosity as the car edges along the street.
I hope it’s not Tina. It took me most of the night to comfort her after Harry left. My heart ached for her when she told me he was leaving. I’d heard a rumour he was seeing someone else, but hoped it was just malicious gossip. I still hope it is because more than anything, I want the two of them to get back together and life back to what it was, for all their sakes.
The clock chimes at 7 pm and my heart stills as the car parks in a space outside in the road. I feel it thumping hard as I watch the two officers exit the car and start walking. They’re coming this way but may pass. It could be Mrs Ironside next door. Maybe her husband has had an accident, or worse.
Then in my heart, I already know as they stop outside our front gate and start walking the short distance up the path. I say nothing and just open the door before they can ring the bell and say anxiously, “May I help you?”
The officer’s look uncomfortable and I wonder if it’s my parents. Have they had an accident? My heart beats wildly as I wait for their words to find me, as I imagine every scenario possible in those brief seconds before they speak.
The officer says, “Does a Tom Mahoney live here?”
The blood freezes in my veins as I nod and call, “Tom, can you come here for a minute?”
He shouts down the stairs, “Can’t it wait, I’m close to level four?”
I smile nervously at the officers and say, “No, it can’t, I’m afraid.”
I wince as he curses and then we hear his footsteps thumping on the ceiling above, and he appears at the top of the stairs.
I think I’ll never forget the look on his face as he comes down them. He looks devastated.
Before he even addresses the officers, he says quickly, “Go and sit with Jack. I’ll come and find you later.”
“But…”
He says harshly, “Now.”
Feeling confused, I head upstairs to keep Jack occupied while he speaks to the officers and know in my heart that something bad has happened.
Jack looks up as I enter and I smile shakily. “Sorry, honey. Daddy has some business to sort out and asked if I’d take his place.”
I don’t miss the disappointment on Jack’s face as he groans, “You’re nowhere near as good as he is.”
Rolling my eyes, I pretend to be hurt. “Thanks, Jack, you know how to make your mum feel great.”
He shrugs and carries on with his game, but I can’t concentrate on anything else other than what may be happening downstairs.
It must only be ten minutes later when Tom pokes his head around the door and says apologetically, “I’ve got to go out, I won’t be long.”
Jack nods and carries on with his game and I follow him out of the room, whispering, “What is it, Tom? Are you in some kind of trouble?”
He shakes his head and looks upset. “I’m sorry, Karen, for everything. Listen, let me deal with the police and when I get back, we’ll talk then.”
“But…”
He shakes his head. “Not now. I won’t be long.”
I stand at the top of the stairs and watch as Tom grabs his coat and accompanies the officers outside. The looks on all of their faces are grave and whatever has happened is serious because when Tom looked at me, I could see it in his eyes. Something is worrying him and when he gets back, I’m not sure if I want to hear what it is.
The phone rings, interrupting my thoughts and I grab it quickly. “Yes?”
“Karen, what’s happening, are Tom and Jack ok?”
“Yes, fine… um, Tom had to go with them but I don’t know why.”
Tina says firmly, “I’m coming over.”
Before I can tell her not to, the line is cut and I stand waiting to give an explanation on something I don’t know the first thing about.
The next knock on the door is Tina’s, and she brings Jamie with her, who true to form shoots past me straight upstairs.
I smile at her gratefully as she says, “There, that should keep them occupied while we talk about this.”
We head into the kitchen for the all-healing cup of tea and she says, “Why do the police want to speak to Tom?”
I say in a worried voice, “I don’t know. He told me he would tell me when he returned. I’m scared though, Tina. What if he’s done something?”
“Like what?” She laughs in disbelief.
Shrugging, I face her with trepidation. “There is something, I can feel it. I suppose I’ve always known there is but could never put my finger on it.”
She looks confused. “What do you mean?”
Sitting down, I put my head in my hands. “He’s been different, Tina. Ever since the night he was mugged, he seemed different.”
“In what way?”
“I don’t know, better I suppose. He was like the old Tom I married. Kind, attentive, loving, all the things he lost sight of over the years. I thought maybe the trauma had made him re-evaluate things, but what if something else happened that night that changed him? Maybe he did something so terrible it altered him forever.”
Tina laughs in disbelief. “Tom - do something terrible. Never. He may have been a complete asshole back then, but he was never… well, you know… dangerous.”
Despite myself, I laugh. “Dangerous?”
She giggles. “The way you’re talking, it’s as if you think he murdered someone. No, whatever this is, Tom will have a rational explanation. Just make sure you text me when you know what it is because I won’t sleep a wink until I know.”
I look at her in concern. “How are things, have you got over the shock yet?”
I see the pain in her eyes as she shakes her head sadly. “It’s hard, Karen. I thought things would get back to normal but they never will be again. It’s only been less than a week since Harry left, but I miss him so much it hurts. Do you think he’ll ever come back to me?”
I try to reassure her, even though I can’t think straight. “Of course, he will. Just give him time and he’ll soon realise what he’s missing.”
As we sit contemplating the mess our lives have fallen into, we don’t notice the time until Jack comes down and says wearily, “Can Jamie stay tonight?”
Looking at the clock, I jump up and shake my head. “Goodness, is that the time. Maybe we should let Tina and Jamie head home. You do have school in the morning, after all.”
Jack groans and Tina shouts, “Jamie, home!”
As Jamie thunders downstairs, Tina hugs me and whispers, “It will all be fine. I just know it.”
I smile but know in my heart things will never be the same again.