We need to find that gun. Someone must have it. Do you? No.
Oh no. I’m keeping it just in case. Give it to me. I might need it.
We all might. For Deborah. When she gets better, we’ll find her. For everyone.
Put her out of her misery. The words hung in the air. Then, so quiet I almost missed it, someone gasped. At the breakfast table, the mood was light, everyone gathered at Debbie’s insistence.
Gary sat down, grinning like a man with a secret. “Right, I’ve got a surprise for everyone. ”
“We’re getting a dog? ” someone asked.
“No. ”
“You’re going to shave that stupid beard off? ”
“This beard suits me and your mum loves it. So, I’ve booked us all a summer holiday to Orlando.
”
“Where’s that? ” Jack asked. “It’s in America, you idiot. You know where Disney World is?
”
“Oh, sweet. Well, you’ve been desperate to go there for ages, haven’t you? ”
“How much is it? ” Sarah asked.
“It’s on me, don’t worry about it. ”
“Amazing! ”
“So, that’s why I’ve been acting a bit shifty recently, all right? Just wanted to get it all sorted.
”
Gary turned to Debbie, looking for her approval. “You look pleased, Mum. ”
“Yeah, yeah, of course I am. Thanks, babe.
” Her voice was flat, unconvincing. Later, at Roy’s Cafe, Beth sat across from her mother with a nervous smile. She’d ordered a plain croissant and a cinnamon bun. “What’s all this in aid of?
” Debbie asked, suspicious. “I don’t know. I just thought you both deserved a treat. ”
“Very suspicious.
”
“Right, okay. Now, there is actually something I want to tell you. ”
“Oh, sounds serious. ”
“Right, well, if it is, now’s not the time.
I’ve got to get to work, Beth. ”
“It is serious. But it’s like good serious, not bad serious. ”
“Well, you just spit it out, Beth?
”
“Okay. Um, I got offered a place to study fashion in London. ”
“In London? Oh, Bethy, that’s amazing news!
” Sarah said. “Well done, Beth. ”
“Starting when? ”
“September.
”
“September? Well, that’s pretty soon. ”
Gary laughed. “Hey, when you come back, you can be me a designer, can’t you?
”
“Well, I mean, that’s if you can afford me. ”
“Cheeky. ”
“You are pleased, Mom? ” Beth looked directly at Debbie.
“Yeah, of course I am. Of course. It’s just a bit of a shock. All the practicalities to consider.
”
“Like what? ”
“We’ll have a chat when I get back, yeah? I’m only on a half shift. ”
“Okay.
Right, I’ll see you later. ”
“Well done, Bethy. I’m delighted for you. ”
Debbie watched her daughter leave, the smile on her face never reaching her eyes.
At the flower shop, Debbie was examining a wilting rose. “This one needs to be marked down half price. ”
“Why? ” Mary asked.
“Well, the roses are wilting. I mean, look at this one. Once a proud, blushing beauty, now a maiden whose chance of a full dance card is over. ”
“I know how it feels.
”
“How so? ”
“Well, my dance card has been empty for a while now. ”
“Oh, rubbish. If you want to talk empty dance cards, I’m your woman.
”
“Well, I’m not comparing myself to you, Mary. Obviously, that’d be ridiculous. But even Lee Han’s got a new fella. He’s not even a minger.
”
“Oh, yes. He’s quite the catch. Dark, brooding eyes. ”
“All right, Mary.
Don’t rub it in. ”
Tracy walked in, all business. “Oh, Debbie. I’ll bring those lilies over by two.
”
“What lilies? ”
“The lilies you ordered for the function. Six large bouquets. ”
“No, I ordered roses, not lilies.
It’s a wedding. ”
“You ordered lilies, and that’s what you’re getting. ”
“Well, you’ll have to change them, then. I can’t do that.
I’ve been working on them for two days. Whichever. ”
“Well, you should have listened, shouldn’t you? ”
“Look, you can’t punish me because you’re losing your marbles.
”
“Don’t speak to her like that. ” Mary stepped in. “She’s made a mistake, and she’s not admitting it. ”
“Back off, Tracy.
”
“Oh, call your attack dogs off. You ordered lilies, and I want paying for them. I just do what I’m told. ”
Mary tried to calm Debbie down.
“Mary. Love, don’t let it get to you. ”
“Oh, I can handle Tracy. It’s you two.
You’re stressing me out. ”
“What are you going to do about that spoon? ”
“I don’t mean spoon. I mean—” She stopped herself.
“No, don’t tell me. Oh, forget it. Spoon will do. You know what I’m talking about.
You need to find it, and fast. Before someone gets spooned. ”
Mary’s eyes went wide. “Is that what I think it is?
”
“I can’t answer that question. I’m not a mind reader. ”
Later, Kit cornered Lisa. “You’re going to propose?
”
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I think we’re better off as colleagues. DCI Thompson called me on the way in. She wants to know why there’s been no progress in the Silton murder. ”
“Well, there is progress.
We’ve got a prime suspect, and we’re building a case. ”
“And that’s exactly what I told her. But when she pushed me, I had to admit everything we’ve got on Gary Windass is circumstantial. ”
“His alibi is false.
Maria is lying. ”
“You can’t prove that, though. We could always lean on her. ”
“How do you mean?
”
“Remind her she’s a good woman. Does she really want to lie? Lay it on thick about Gary not deserving her. Think of Liam.
Blah, blah, blah. ”
“He’s pressuring a witness. It could compromise the whole investigation. I said no, Kit.
”
“Right. But we’ve got nothing. Like you said. Maybe tomorrow’s public appeal will bring a witness forward.
”
“And maybe it won’t. Then what? ”
At the Bistro, a couple were being served by Daisy. “How do you find the percentage of something?
I’m in. I can’t remember how to do it. ”
“You want this calculator? ”
“Well, I’ve never had two before, have I?
What’s up with me? ”
“You’re just having a little laugh, aren’t you? Um, another house red? ”
“Yeah.
Yeah, that’s probably the fun. ”
“Um listen, when you guys do the big reveal, would you like any champagne? ”
“Oh, yes. Yes, please.
What’s your most affordable? And do you have a non-alcoholic one? ”
“We do. Yes, we do.
Bottom right are your cheapest options. ”
“Thank you. ”
“You guys hoping for a boy or a girl? ” Daisy asked.
“Well, we’d be happy with either, but we’ve got two boys already, so a girl would be nice. ”
Aw, what a shame. It’s a boy. ”
The couple froze.
The woman looked at her partner. “She’s just teasing, isn’t she? She doesn’t know. ”
But Daisy had seen the order.
It was on the balloon. At the hospital, Sam was sitting calmly with his psychologist. “It must have been very frightening, Sam. ”
“He was going to kill me.
I really believed it. ”
“Do you believe it now? ”
“No. And I understand the virus wasn’t real.
Will wasn’t trying to kill me. It was all in my head. ”
“So, can I tell you say that? I’m sorry for everything I put you through.
”
“You don’t need to apologize. ”
“That’s right. You’ve done nothing wrong. You’ve been ill.
”
“Does this mean I’ll always be ill? ”
“For most people with schizophrenia, it’s a long-term illness, but it’s very manageable with medication. So, there’s no reason you should have another episode like the one you’ve just had. ”
“But, I’ll still have to keep taking the medication.
”
“Yes. Your doctors will advise you. ”
Nick came in. “Hello, buddy.
You know, there are lots of people taking medication every day. Come with me. ”
“But, will they change me? ” Sam asked, his voice small.
“Will they affect my brain? Will I still be able to play chess? Do maths? ”
“Of course.
”
“So, I’ll still feel like me? Or like I used to feel cuz I miss feeling like that. ”
“It may take time to get the medication right, but there’s no reason you shouldn’t feel like your old self. Although, I would add as a psychologist, ourselves are always changing, but that’s another discussion.
”
“Sounds pretty interesting, though. I genuinely like to discuss that. ”
“Okay. ”
Back at the Bistro, Daisy was furious.
“I managed to convince them to stay. I had to promise that champagne’s on the house. ”
“What did you do that for? ” Daniel asked.
“You told them what the gender was, Dad. ”
“I’d never do a thing like that. Never mind the years. Sorted it, all right?
”
“Why don’t you go home for the rest of the day? You’re very on edge today. ”
“I’m just tired, that’s all. ”
But the trouble wasn’t over.
Tracy came storming back into the flower shop. “Right, well, the lilies were in the foyer. I won’t pay you. I’m not paying for the wrong flowers.
”
“Those are the flowers you ordered. ”
“I’m not leaving until I get my money. ”
“What’s the problem? ” Debbie asked.
“The problem is your boss here is making too many mistakes. It’s time she stepped down. ”
“How dare you? ”
“Listen, I’m sorry, Debs.
I know this is hard, but you’re not up to the job anymore. I want my money. I want what’s mine. Give it to me.
”
Debbie’s face went pale. “I don’t have your gun. And I don’t know where it is. ”
The words echoed in the room.
Tracy stared at her, speechless. Outside, Ryan was waiting for Lisa. “Hey. What did she do?
”
“She totally lost it. Accused me of wanting a gun? ”
“Hey. What is all this gun stuff?
” Lisa asked. “Oh, she didn’t mean gun, obviously. She’s just getting her words confused. ”
Ryan walked in to see Debbie.
“Hey, sweetheart. ”
“Hey. ” Her eyes were darting around the room. “I thought she was Fiona.
I thought she was—She was coming after me. ”
“Now, can you see what I’m saying? ” Ryan insisted to Lisa. “She’s totally losing it.
”
“She’s having a bad day, all right? ” Lisa tried. “Ryan, you know it’s more than that. We need to sort this mess out first.
”
At home, Nick and Debbie were talking about Beth. “It’s 2 hours on the train. And where’s she going to live? Accommodation costs a flipping fortune down there.
”
“We’ve got the money. ”
“And it starts in September. And she’s hardly got any time to prep. ”
“You know Betsy’s been itching for a change, don’t you?
After everything that happened last year, this is ideal, don’t you think? It’s a new direction, new challenge. ”
“Yeah, I’m just worried that she’s not ready. That’s all.
”
“I don’t think it’s her that’s not ready. ”
“We’ve barely been apart in 18 years, but she’s a grown-up now. ”
“No, she’s not. She’s my baby.
And I’m going to miss us. ”
Beth popped up from her room. “Hooray! Can we go and celebrate now?
”
“And where did you spring from? ”
“No, I was just in my room and the door happened to be open. I love you both to death. ”
“Yeah, and if you think I’m just going to swan off to London and never see you again, I think you forget I’m going to be a student who’s going to ask you to come down and take me out on a regular basis.
”
“Oh, let me get it. ”
“Have you told him the news? ” Nick asked. “No, we haven’t told him.
He’s chill, you know, we’re just going to go with the flow. ”
“She’s told him? She’s told him? Must be serious.
”
The conversation turned. “Missing. Well, unless one of you two picked it up. ”
“Oh, yeah.
Yeah, I went searching on the random cars thinking it might be there. ”
“You didn’t. ”
“Of course I didn’t. Why would you put it under a wheel arch anyway?
”
“I was following Fiona’s instructions. ”
“So? What’s next? ”
“Well, she’s not happy and she wants me to find it.
”
“And if you don’t? ”
“Then she’ll want paying off at least. ”
“This is a nightmare, this. There is a gun out there and we don’t even know who’s got it.
”
“My theory is she’s pretending she doesn’t have it to screw us out of money. ”
“Oh, there’s no one there, Cal. This is your mess. ”
“So, go on then.
How did you get the news? ”
“Do you know what? Pretty well. Mom’s upset that I’m leaving home, obviously.
”
“Yeah, I bet. She’ll miss you. ”
“All right, I’ll miss you. ”
“You’re still going to see me.
”
“Yeah, I hope so. ”
At the cafe, Sean was admiring the work being done. “I prophesized that pool there. Boys are going to love it.
Yeah, looks good. ”
“I thought you might be a little bit pleased,” the builder said. “I’m just wondering why you’re being so generous all of a sudden. ”
“I just wanted to give her something to look forward to.
”
“Mhm. ”
“Right, I must be getting back to the salon. See you later. ”
Sean watched him go, then called out.
“Put another in there, will you? Ooh, that went down quickly. Well, I’ve been traumatized by Debbie Webster. ”
“You what?
” his friend asked. “Your sister has finally lost it. She accused me of wanting a gun. ”
“Ah, she would have meant something different.
Are you sure she didn’t mean, ‘Do you want a bun? ‘”
“Whatever she meant, it wouldn’t be a gun. Yeah, because that would be bonkers, wouldn’t it? ”
“I don’t like this.
”
Sam was still in the hospital, talking to his dad. “Well, Kel, he’s sorted, so you’d better. I’m not going to science camp, am I? ”
“No.
No, you’re not. You will. ”
“I’m still not compos mentis, I know it. ”
“The only fact you’re speaking Latin means you’re getting there.
Look, the doctor said it might take a few weeks for the meds to kick in. You just got to be patient. ”
“Roy was here last night. ”
“That wasn’t really him, was it?
”
“No. No, uh, Roy hasn’t been to visit, not yet. ”
“Yeah. Yeah, I thought so.
Even when he was here, I kind of knew he wasn’t. Maybe that’s progress. ”
“Yeah. Yeah, yeah, that’s progress.
Hey, look, you know, he’s thinking of you. ”
“Can he come and see me? ”
“I don’t know, you know. It might be a bit triggering.
”
“Yeah, but I’d love to see him. ”
“Okay. And we can talk to the doctors and see what they say. ”
“I’d like you to be here, too, though.
Just in case. ”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’ll be here day and night if you need me to be. ”
“Thanks for the offer, Dad.
But I think that might send me back over the edge. ”
At the salon, Maria and Sarah were talking. “I know I was only in the other day, but I just wanted a little bit more off the back. It’s like it’s weird.
”
“What, me, or—”
“No, Gary booking a holiday. Is it? Just no way is that the reason he’s being shifty. ”
“Oh, I don’t think he’d be lying about it.
He wouldn’t do that to the boy. ”
“No, I don’t think he’s lying. I think he’s booked it. But that doesn’t explain his behavior.
In fact, it makes it worse. ”
“Why? ”
“Well, think about it. What’s the first thing someone does when they’ve cheated?
”
“Oh, buy a guilt present for the partner. ”
“Exactly. ”
“Oh, but I don’t believe he’d cheat on you. ”
“Mhm.
”
“Did on you, didn’t he? ”
“True. And then did you see Sarah this morning? She just refused to look at him.
You must have seen her. ”
“Oh, I can’t say I noticed. ”
“And she was like that to me. She was being really over friendly with me, and then super weird with Gary.
Something weird is going on, is it? ”
“I’m going to prove it. ”
Back at the hotel, Debbie was having a quiet moment. “I hope you’re hungry.
Hey. ” She was looking at photos on her phone, trying to remember faces. “What are you doing? This is Kevin.
This is Jack. Carl. Abby. Yeah, of course.
”
“What if I start to forget? ” she whispered to herself. “You’re way off there. ”
“No, because after today, I’m not so sure.
Love you, you’ve been stressed. It’s what Tracy said. I shouldn’t be working at the hotel anymore. ”
“Please, let’s not do that.
Don’t listen to Tracy. ”
“But she’s right. I’m making mistakes. ”
“What is it you want to—Do you want to stop working?
”
“No. ”
“Then don’t. ”
“I had a dream about that gun. ”
“Oh, look, I’ve got a plan to sort that, so don’t worry about it.
”
“I dreamt you were all talking about me, and then you said it would be kinder if we put her out of her misery. ”
“No, don’t be silly. ”
“I think I must be getting worse. Cuz my memories, it’s like mud sometimes.
And I don’t want to be walking around out there not knowing who I am, where I am. ”
“Come on. That’s a long way away. Right?
”
“How long? Three months, six months, a year? It’s coming. It’s coming.
I can feel it. ”
“And if you don’t want to stay, if you want to leave, I will totally understand. ”
“Debbie, what’s—”
“I told you. The whole love you until death do us part.
And I mean it. All right. I mean it. I could really miss me.
I’ll miss who I am, myself. But I’ll still be here. And that terrifies me. ”
“We’ll be terrified together.
”
“Okay. Okay. “
