Patricia Patterson slumped down in the armchair, kicking off her shoes.
‘Tired, love?’
‘Knackered. Do you know what it’s like dealing with the council? First, they haven’t any money to do anything. Second, what money they did have has been spent during the pandemic. And third, people don’t stop getting old and disabled just because some bloody virus decides it wants to screw around with the world.’
Her partner, Cherie Morgan, passed her a well-filled glass of white wine.
‘Exactly what I needed.’ She took a large swallow. ‘And I had another fight with the DWP. You know the bastards have stopped Isobel Lloyd’s benefits because she missed an appointment? The poor woman can’t walk to the end of the road, yet they expect her to hop on a bus and travel five miles into the centre of town for an interview. I made them reconsider the decision and I’ll take the bastards to the tribunal if they don’t reinstate her benefits immediately. Bastards.’
Cherie sat down next to her. ‘Keep fighting, Pat.’
‘I will, but it’s so bloody draining. What’s for tea?’
‘Lamb curry. I used the leftovers from the weekend.’
‘Smells great. Kids with their dad?’
Cherie nodded. ‘It’s their week with him. I hope he woke them up in time for school.’
‘You missing them already?’
‘Yeah, but it’s what we agreed. He’s not a bad father, just a shit husband. It means we have a week to ourselves for a change. What do you fancy doing?’
‘Anything, as long as it’s far away from the council and the DWP.’
‘How about going to Holcombe Top in Ramsbottom? We haven’t been out for ages. We’d have to sit outside, but anything to get out of the bloody house.’
‘Yeah, lovely, you want to make a reservation?’
As Pat finished speaking her phone buzzed with a new message.
Cherie sighed. ‘That bloody phone. One day, I’ll chuck it down the toilet where it belongs. Anyway, I’ll get the curry, you relax.’ She rose and walked to the kitchen.
Pat glanced at the message.
The social worker’s face went an ashen white.
‘Who is it?’ Cherie shouted from the kitchen.
‘Nowt, just work.’
Pat glanced at the text again.
She’d been expecting this message for a long time.