Kates Friends part 8

She closed the door behind Rani and went back to the sofa. It was weird having someone in her home. It didn’t happen very often. She picked up the leaflet and flicked through it to the arts section. Maybe she could do one of these courses, it would improve her drawing, but how big were they? Five, ten people maybe more. She grimaced and put it down. She sat staring out the window for a while wondering if she would ever do the things she wanted to. It just seemed that every time she started to do something she wanted that people would make life so difficult. Either it was her family showing up or her friends or even strangers and then she would lurch from one mess to another and then down she would go, well not this time. This time she was going to make it all work out. Well hopefully. All this worrying was making jittery, it was time to do something. She still needed some milk she could go and fetch some at least that would get her out of the house for a bit.

She grabbed her coat and purse and headed out and having shut the door she turned head down and walked straight into someone. “Sorry!”

“Oh hey there, watch out.”

She looked up into her frowning neighbour. “Sorry” He looked pale with dark circles under his bloodshot eyes that stared at her. “Sorry.” He didn’t move.

“Yeah well never mind.”

She stood still not sure whether to speak or not.

“Tara said your place wasn’t too bad.”

Kate hesitated he was still staring at her. “Well not so bad. Could have been worse.” She shrugged and looked at the wall past his shoulder.

“Humph! Yeah well he trashed my place. Pretty much everything was broken.” He turned away and started down the stairs. “The police weren’t at all helpful. No chance of getting the people who did either, but I suppose you know that.”

She watched him down the first few steps and then followed him. “Yeah well, they found some of my things out the back fields so they may get something on them.”

He stopped short and turned back towards her. “They found your stuff?”

“Well some of it.” She shrugged and looked down at the steps.

He blinked and shook his head. “Typical. I lose everything and you get all your stuff back. I could have predicted it. They didn’t even seem interested in what was taken.”

“Yeah well my stuff wasn’t worth anything.”

“Humph!” He stomped down the last few steps. Strode out the door and let it slam behind him.

She blew a long breath out and then walked after him. The breeze was cool on her face and the small amount of sun felt good. She turned her face towards the sky and closed her eyes. Right and now for the shops. The short walk was all she needed and as she entered the little corner shop a smile was on her face. The shop keeper looked across to her and raised an eye brow and nodded to her as the door closed behind her. He then turned his face back to the lady in front of him. His voice carried to her in the tiny shop. “Yes well, I can’t say I’m sorry that he was done over.”

“Really?” Replied the woman.

“Well he has all sorts of people coming and going, and at all hours. I pity his neighbours with the likes of some of them that come to call.”

“Blimey, that bad.”

“From what I hear, very much so.”

Kate walked up and down the rows not really looking at the shelves.

“Between you and me I’d say there was something very wrong going on. And by very wrong I mean illegal.”

Kate picked up some milk.

“Well, no one has that many visitors and for a postie he sure had a lot of money to throw around.”

She frowned. Postie? Who were they talking about? She had thought it was her neighbour but he wasn’t a postman. Had someone else gotten burgled? She picked up some jaffa cakes.

“Oh is that what he does?”

“Yeah well there’s no way he could afford that sports car on that salary. It’s just a shame that his neighbour was done over too.”

“Really the neighbours too, like the ones up here?”

“Yeah and it isn’t a week since they were done either. I can’t believe it really but there does seem to be quite a run of them; although that was a bit weird too, and then there were the other two from just over the park. I keep thinking I should improve the security around here but there really isn’t anything I can do. Even the busybody neighbourhood watch group didn’t see anything. All those old dears curtain twitching and there doesn’t seem to be any stopping it.”

“I didn’t think St Marks Road is part of the neighbourhood watch?”

“Where isn’t these days, but come to think of it you may be right. Well they soon will be I guess.”

The woman put some of her shopping into her bag before replying. “Well maybe with these burglaries we’ll get some policing done around here. It’s not like we don’t all know what’s going on. I mean the park is a state I daren’t take my girl there anymore you never know what you’ll find.”

“Yes well maybe they’ll get the people responsible now.”

Unlikely, thought Kate, that was a problem that wasn’t going to go away just because there were more police around. She waited with her few things as the guy rang up the last of the womans’ items.

“Oh hi, be with you in a minute.”

She smiled.

“Yeah sure, you do know the clear up rate for burglaries is virtually nil, don’t you?”

“Oh come on, they can’t not. These guys are doing it in broad day light. I mean look at this one. The guy was home by mid day and his girlfriend didn’t leave until eight and yours...” He nodded towards her. “Middle of the afternoon wasn’t it?”

The lady turned and looked at her.

She nodded. “So they think, but I was out all day.”

“They are going to catch these guys. People are going to see them at some point.”

The door opened and they turned to see a dark silhouette. “I won’t be second.”

Kate blinked, she recognised that voice, constable Perry?

The man pushed the door open and came through.

She stood still.

His eyebrow flicked up and down and smiled.

“Hi”

He walked straight towards her. “Hi, didn’t expect to see you again quite so soon. How’s the bike going?”

She nodded. “Good.”

“Just good huh.” He paused. “Well I guess that’s better than okay.”

“No really thanks, it saves me getting the bus, if you need it back it’s okay.”

He shook his head. “You don’t borrow things too often do you?”

She shook her head. “I try not to.”

“Well I’m just glad it helps. Anyway it shouldn’t be long before you get yours’ back.”

“Yeah lets hope.” She smiled.

“Getting some of your stuff back..?” asked shopkeeper.

“Yes the police found a pile of stuff, some of it was mine, so after they’ve finished with it I can have it back.”

“Blimey maybe there’s hope yet.”

“Yes we were lucky a group of kids found it the same evening. Guess they didn’t want it. We might get something from it, only time will tell.” He turned his full attention onto Kate. “So what are you up to?”

She blinked and shrugged. “Not much. Slow day for me.”

He nodded. “Well lucky you, I’m run off my feet.”

“Yeah I heard another couple of burglaries.” She nodded towards the shopkeeper.

“Yeah in St Marks road.” He looked at the man briefly and then turned his attention to the closest shelf. “I never realised Chalvey St Marks was such a hot bed of crime.”

“It isn’t usually.”

She watched as the shopkeeper started adding up items.

“It seems if it isn’t one thing it’s another.” Mat picked up some biscuits.

“Well that’s what we have you guys for, isn’t it?” Said the shopkeeper.

Mat looked at him. “Yes I guess it is but right now there’s been rather a run on burglaries, rather more than there have been in quite some time.”

“Humph.”

“Well I guess that’s the way it goes.”

“Yeah well the burglaries may be new but there’s been trouble for quite some time. The amount of druggies here abouts is soaring. You might want to get on top of that while you’re about it.”

Kate took a step back.

“We’re working on it and in the mean time if you see anything if you could report it to the station because the main problem is that we have nothing to go on.”

“Oh come on it’s everywhere.”

Mat shrugged. “Yes but without any proof or witnesses we can’t do anything. Look at this mornings break ins for instance, as far as we can tell it was done during quite a busy period and yet none of the neighbours saw anything. I mean not only is there a school on St Marks road but it’s also got several shops and the health centre and yet so far no one knows anything, no one saw anything. We still have a some places unaccounted for but realistically if no one comes forward then we have nothing to go on and it won’t matter whether we get fingerprints or not because without anyone to compare them to if they’re not in the system we won’t get them.”

“Humph.”

“What numbers?”

“Huh?”

“What numbers St Marks Road, it’s just I was running that way this morning...I just wondered which end?”

“Oh in one of the block of flats, 97 and 8.” Mat shoulders sagged a little as he turned to the shopkeeper. “It’s the same with the drugs too, no one seems to know anything. We know there are dealers hereabouts but without any proof we’re stuck.” He shrugged.

“Sure you always need people to come forward.” The shopkeeper turned his face towards Kate. “That’ll be six forty two thanks.”

“Well would you rather we just accuse anyone who was in the area?”

The shopkeeper shrugged

“Exactly, we can’t do that, we need probable cause and that means someone who saw something coming forward.” He turned to Kate “So you were running that way this morning, do you think you might have seen anything? It would have been just after nine we think.”

“Well I think that was about the time i was out. So maybe.”

“Anything would be a help.”

Kates Friends part 7

Oh it’s hot, just so hot! Who’s that? There’s someone there, Who’s there?

Kate flung back the covers and sat up, fists at the ready. She looked about for the intruder she felt was there but could see no one and although her lamp didn’t give much light it did illuminate the whole room well enough to see. There was no one. She was breathing hard and drenched in sweat. Her nightdress clung to her making her cold now that she wasn’t covered by the duvet. She dragged it up over her head and flung it onto the pile of clothes by the wardrobe and lay back down. She was too tired to get up and find another. She lay still staring at the ceiling and listening to the world outside, the cars going past, the birds singing, the building creaking, there was nothing there but the normal sounds of the night yet she was scared; scared that there was someone out there. She closed her eyes and tried to relax. The flat was secure and there was no one inside it, everything was fine and scared though she was her body was too tired to resist and she was soon asleep.

At seven the alarm rang and rang as she slept on. At eight she stirred and reached out to turn it off and still leaden she pulled herself into a sitting position, dropped her legs over the edge of the bed and then rolled forward and put her head in her hands. Her eyes felt bruised and puffy and refused to open more than a slit as she forced herself to look at the time. Oh it was too early; in fact it was always too early, every morning it felt like she had a hangover. She got up slowly and put on her running gear, put her nightdress in the wash bin and then got herself breakfast. She stared out of the window at the clouds and left it on the counter. Okay time for a run.

Yesterdays run had been mercifully short however she needed a longer one today to keep up with her schedule. The pavements were littered with children and adults alike and made the going slow and painful not least because she was continually changing pace, no one ever got out of the way. As she followed the ins and outs of the estate it got easier however she could see trouble ahead. Well not really trouble but there was a group of lads on the pavement ahead and they didn’t seem to be moving. To start with there’d only been two standing chatting and looking up and down the street and then another two had come out and joined them and now another one had joined them. They were just teens probably on their way to college but they were blocking the path completely. There was just something about them, their baggy jeans hanging half off their bums, their old battered looking jackets and beat up trainers or boots and them carrying bulky rucksacks and it was just a little bit strange to see them watching up and down the street but the really eye catching thing was the two lads who’d come out who’d then taken off the bright blue gloves they’d been wearing and then handed them to the last one who put them into his bag. It was just plain odd to watch. She slowed down and although she couldn’t cross the road she did move out into the road to get by them. They didn’t seem too bothered and when she looked back from the junction they had started walking in the other direction. Oh well not much further to go and then a shower and breakfast.

“Arrrr.” The water felt good on her skin, just the right amount of heat and pressure to sooth her tired muscles. She leaned against the wall and let the water pound into her back, but she would have to get out soon. In fact she’d better get out right now or Rani would be here and she wouldn’t be dressed. As she was coming back through to the lounge there was a knock on the door.

She opened the door and saw Ranis’ concerned face.

“Hello, what happened?”

“Hi there, I was burgled.” She moved back to allow her to enter.

“Oh dear and your neighbour?” She pointed over her shoulder. “When did it happen?”

She motioned her towards the lounge. “Oh only a few days ago. They didn’t get much, most of my stuff is fine and even the stuff they did take the police have gotten back. My neighbour wasn’t so lucky. It’s no big deal.”

Rani turned around to face her and looked her over. “No big deal. Your place was broken into that’s huge.”

She shrugged.

Rani shook her head and then sat down on the sofa. “Ummm...” She looked around the tiny tidy lounge and then got up. “You’ve tidied up.” She walked to the bedroom door and looked in. “So how are you feeling?” She turned and walked back into the lounge.

“Not great.”

“It’s very tidy, doesn’t really look like anything has moved. How long did it take you to clean up?”

“Umm I did it the same day.”

“Couldn’t let it sit huh.”

She signed and looked around. “No. I just wanted to get rid of all traces that they’d been here.”

“Yeah I get that. So how have you been? Any problems?”

She sat down and started picking at her nails. She didn’t want to look at Rani. “Yeah well things haven’t been great.”

“Oh dear.”

She looked about her and though she could see several things were out of place she assumed that Rani really wouldn’t know the difference. “You know I don’t like mess. It’ drives me nuts.”

She smiled. “Yes I do and it’s nice to see that despite that it’s not immaculate in here. I think I’d worry if it was. Not a good sign.”

She smiled. Yes Rani was right if she really weren’t doing very well then everything would have to be lined up perfectly just how she wanted it and nothing would be allowed to be out of place. Yes she knew her well enough to know this was actually a good thing. “Yeah sorry.”

“Don’t be, so how are things otherwise. Any problems?”

“Yeah well Andrea’s been ‘round a bit and I think one or two others too. I’ve had a few night sweats and nightmares and such but relatively it’s not changed much since last time. I’m still sluggish and feeling a bit dopey.”

“What since this happened.”

“Yeah she turned up just after I saw the police outside.”

Rani reached into her briefcase and pulled out a file. “Umm so can you tell how many times you’ve seen things?”

“Not much really but certainly more than I have been doing for a while.” She grimaced and twisted her fingers. This was torture but if she didn’t tell her what was going on then she couldn’t get any help.

She’d been assigned Rani a year ago and it had taken time to build a rappor. She was lovely really; attentive and understanding but her accent was a little soft around the edges in places that had made her difficult to understand and it grated, almost stereotypically so but then maybe it was her choice of clothing that was the problem. It was strange but the one time that she hadn’t worn something obviously ethnic it had felt easier to talk to her. So much for not being prejudiced but it had just been easier. The fact was you didn’t really get a choice of county psychiatric nurse you just had to live with the one you were given. The mental health team had always said it was possible to change but somehow it had never actually come off, so when she met Rani and not really gotten on with her she’d just persevered and it had paid off. When things had gotten rough a while back she’d really stood up and done her job well, gotten her the care she needed when she needed it, something that seemed to be rare or maybe she’d just been lucky. Either way when it had counted Rani had come through and that was all that mattered, but she couldn’t do anything if she didn’t say what was going on. “Yeah. I don’t think there’s been too much.”

“And you’re taking your meds regularly?”

She nodded. “Yup.”

“Eating, sleeping, exercising..?”

She nodded. “Yes for the most part. I mean I still don’t sleep too well; have to have the light on and wake up a bit too, but mostly it’s all good.” She paused. Was there anything else to say? “Yeah been keeping to my routine, up every day and out for a run and such.”

“Been to work?”

She nodded. “Yeah was there yesterday.”

“And have you thought any more about therapy?”

She looked down. Oh yeah she’d thought about it and then tried not to.

Rani looked over at her. “Umm and...”

“Well I just don’t know. It’s a good idea I guess. It’s just I don’t know. Anxiety management with a whole group of people. I don’t know”

Rani rested the file in her lap and looked at her intently. “Well it does seem like your anxiety is more the problem right now.”

She squirmed in the seat.

“It would help you get back out into the world and you can’t carry on as you have been doing can you?”

No she couldn’t, but group therapy even if it was just a management course and not the whole psychotherapy thing it was a bit overwhelming.

She leaned towards her. “You can do this and it’ll make the rest of your life easier but it is up to you.” She paused. “Look the course doesn’t start for another month so what if I put you name down and then if you change your mind just let me know.”

Kate sighed, she knew this was a good move for her but it was still a problem, she just didn’t want to do it. “Okay.”

She smiled. “Okay you’ll do it.”

Kate looked at her pleased face. Why did everyone look so damn pleased when she agreed to do something that scared the hell out of her. She paused unsure. “Yes, okay I’ll do it.”

Rani slapped her hands on the file definitively. “Good. Now is there anything else going on you need to tell me?”

She shrugged and shook her head. “No I don’t think so.”

“So you said the police had found most of the stuff that was taken.” She paused.

She smiled and shrugged.

“Well that’s good and there doesn’t seem to be too much damage. The TV I see.”

“Yeah, not sure how I’m going to replace that.”

“Well at least they didn’t take your bike so you can still get about.”

She smiled and looked over at the bike. “No they did.”

Rani frowned and looked over to the bike leaning against the wall.

“That’s not mine. It’s just borrowed.”

“Oh right, how’d that happen? A friend of yours?”

“It’s a long story.”

“I have time.” Rani was sat still, looking at her.

“Just the copper who came here for the burglary.”

Rani raised an eyebrow. “The copper?”

“Him and his partner were called here and then when I went into the station he saw me and we got talking. He just offered it to me until mine was done with, didn’t want me walking home on my own in the dark and cold.” She smiled hoping that would suffice.

“That was nice of him. So will you be seeing him again?”

“Well yeah when I give the bike back.”

Ranis’ mouth quivered. “I meant, will you be getting to know him besides the loan of the bike?”

Kate rubbed her forehead. “Shouldn’t think so, I just borrowed his bike that’s all.”

Rani smiled. “Humm. So have you given any more thought to getting out more joining a club or doing some classes?”

She looked at the floor. “Yes and no...I don’t know, what would I do?”

Rani shrugged. “Anything you like. What are you interested in? What about your drawing. You could take class, meet a few people? The local college runs several and you could get some help with the fees.”

She frowned and twisted her fingers.

“Look why don’t I leave you the prospectus and you have a look. If something takes your fancy.” She pulled a pamphlet from her briefcase and put it on the sofa next to her. “Just take a look.” She patted it.

“Sure.”

She smiled. “So how is work? Are you still enjoying it?”

She shrugged. “It’s not bad.”

“Not bad huh. Seems your life is fun of not bad at the moment.”

“Yeah I guess.”

“Oh well if there’s nothing you want to say.” She paused. Shook her head. “Nothing, right well that’s me done.” She picked up her briefcase. “Well I guess I’ll be off then and you look after yourself. You know where I am if you need anything.”

She nodded. “Yup, gotcha.” She showed her to the door.

“So is the landlord going to fix this?” She pointed at the wood panel.

“Yeah so he says but it’s anybodys’ guess when.”

She smiled. “Well maybe he’ll be quick. You’re looking good by the way, you have a good colour in your face.”

She looked at the floor. “Thanks.”

“So see you in two weeks then.”

Kates' friends part 6

“Well hello there.”

She looked up. “Constable Perry.”

“Coming or going?”

His grin invited a smile she didn’t really feel. “Going.” She pointed to the door.

“Oh right, so was any of it yours? They looked a good match from your description.”

She looked at the floor. “Yes they were mine.”

“Oh great.”

She looked up at him. “Walsh didn’t think so.”

“Yeah well he wouldn’t, that’s just him. We don’t usually get things back, most people just have to replace their stuff. It’s not the same.”

“Some things you can’t replace.”

He nodded. “No some things you can’t, which is why it’s so good that you got yours’ back.”

She smiled. “Except that he seems to think there’s something hinky about the fact that I did.”

His left eyebrow flicked up and down. “Yeah well he’s paid to find criminals: he needs to be suspicious of everyone and everything. I’m just glad I don’t have to be, I just have to report what I see and hear and leave it him to work the rest out. And I am therefore free to be happy that someone who thought they’d lost every sentimental thing in their place has now got it returned to them safe and sound.”

She nodded and smiled, yes and you really are aren’t you. “Well not quite yet.”

“Soon anyway.” He moved towards the outer door

It was time to leave so she followed him out.

“So, d’you get everything tidied up okay?”

“Yeah everythings’ back where it was and it was surprising how many of my things were fine. I mean some of the dvds and cds were a little scratched but basically most things are fine. Not so for my neighbours I think.”

His smile disappeared. “Couldn’t say.”

No of course not, police business and all that. “Sorry...I”

“So which way are you headed? Homeward?”

“Yeah I’m done for the day. All that cleaning last night has really knackered me out.”

“If you tidied everything last night I’m not surprised you’re tired, it must have taken you hours.”

“Yeah most of the night.”

He grimaced. “Blimey, I don’t think I’d have bothered.”

She laughed.

“Hey there was a lot tidy.”

“Yeah there was, I just can’t stand it when it’s messy that’s all. I’m a bit, everything has a place and everything in its’ place or else. Mess like that drives me nuts even if it means spending half the night tidying I would rather do that than wake up to it. Weird huh.”

“A little.” He frowned.

She turned towards the bus stop, not sure if to just walk off was rude.

“However did you get through work today?”

She stared at him. It wasn’t often people shocked her. He’s seen my flat, I would have thought it was obvious I don’t, well not paid anyway. “Yeah... slowly and painfully. I needed a break every half an hour to wake myself up.

He grinned. “Yeah I bet. Early night then?”

She smiled. “Yeah guess so.” She turned towards the bus stop and then faltered and turned back.

He’d turned away.

Kate shrugged and then walked off to the bus stop. What time was the next one?

Kate checked the timetable tacked to the stop and checked her watch. As predicted another 40 mins for a bus. Great, I could walk it in that time. It’s not that far. Her shoulders slumped, it was cold tonight. She started walking down the little high street; she could always stop at the next stop and catch it if she wanted. There were one or two shops and a chippy but nothing really worth looking in, especially not for 40 mins. So onward.

“Hey there, you’re not walking home are you?”

Constable Perry! Well how else am I going to get there? She put a smile on her face as she looked right and saw him riding his bike slowly next to her. “Yeah well no car, no bike...and it’s just too damn cold to stand around waiting for the next bus.”

“Yeah I guess, but it’ll take you ages to get home wouldn’t it be quicker on the bus?”

She laughed. “Not really the next one isn’t for ages and I’m a quick walker. It’s not that far.”

He frowned. “It’s miles.”

She shook her head and smiled. “It’s not that far, plus not about to freeze waiting for the bus. I just want to get home.”

He grinned. “Yeah I can see that. So do you always walk so fast?”

“No, mostly I ride my bike.”

“Arrh” He looked her up and down and then got off his bike. “So how tall are you? Five ten, five eleven?”

She stopped and turned to look at him.

He stopped and drew his bike between his legs and started fiddling with the seat post. He dropped the saddle a few inches and then tightened it up. “Here try this.”

She just stared at him.

“It’ll be faster than walking and I’m guessing you’d like that right now, being tired like you are.” He paused and held the bike out for her. “You can give it back to me when you’ve got yours’ back.” He lent the bike against him and pulled at his pocket and pulled out some keys. “Really I can do without it for a few days.”

“But why? I can walk”

He grinned. “Yeah I know but really I only live around the corner and I have several. I’ll use another one tomorrow and you haven’t got one right now. Come on take it.” He pushed the bike into her hands, the keys into one of her hands and then pulled out his notebook. He looked at her face and stopped.

“I...” Not sure what to make of his generosity she couldn’t find a word to say.

He grinned. “Here I’ll give you my number then you can give me a call when you’re done with it.” He put his head and started writing. “How’s the height?”

She started. Oh better try it. She fumbled with the handlebars and her legs were rubbery but she managed to swing her leg over. Umm it wasn’t bad, it would do for now. She fingered the keys and looked for the lock

“Right that looks okay.” He paused and looked her over once more. “Well here you are. Don’t lose it.”

She reached out for the paper. “Are you sure you can do without it?”

He nodded. “Yeah like I said I have several.”

“Not the same thing.”

He shook his head “Yeah it is. Now look after her and I’ll see you in couple of days when you get yours’ back.”

She stood still.

“Well go on then, get going.”

She shook herself pocketed the keys and his number and grasped the handlebars. “Right,” put foot to peddle and pushed off. “Thanks, are you...”

“Go, it’s fine.”

She smiled and turned her attention to joining the traffic on the road. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

She didn’t look back. She couldn’t believe that she’d just taken his bike from him. Unbelievable, how on earth had that happened but here she was with his shiny new bike speeding away and what was his first name?

“Yo watch out there!”

Whoa, she pulled the brakes hard. “Sorry.” Now was not the time for thinking about that.

The journey home was swift not just because she was riding a bike but also she was in the mood to motor. She pulled in at road and jumped off way before her building to avoid getting stuck amongst the parked cars.

“Whoa new bike, that was quick I didn’t think you’d replace it just like that. Nice.”

Kate groaned.

“So where’d you get it? Looks good.”

She pulled it onto the pavement and started walking.

“Hey come on, do tell. I could do with a new bike.”

Kate looked skyward and groaned again. Now was not the time. “It’s not mine. I just borrowed it for a bit.”

“Oh who from?”

She dodged around some kids walking home.

“So why the big secret?”

“You don’t know him?” She walked faster as she approached her building.

“oooww like that is it?”

“Sorry look I’m just tired. It’s been a long day. It was just the copper from yesterday.”

“Oooh really. So what’s he like and why‘s he loaning his bike to you then?”

Kate stopped. “He’s nice, and generous.”

“Yeah sure he is.”

She sighed. “Yes.”

“Sorry, of course he is. He’s not after anything at all is he?”

Oh don’t do this, it’s just a bike.

“So he in no way checked you out and decided that this was a good way to butter you up. Helpless in need of a big man to help you, oh yeah ‘course not”

“He just didn’t want me walking home in the cold that’s all.”

“Well at least you’re not telling me he’s not like that.”

“Look just give it a rest. Not all men are like my dad, or my brother. They’re not all bastards who don’t give a fuck who they hurt. He’s just loaned me his bike so that I could get about a bit better while mine’s at the police station. Right well I’m off in.” Kate shouldered the bike and pushed through the door and on up the stairs. Halfway she was stopped by a couple of kids sat on the steps. She waited hoping that Andrea wouldn’t catch her up as they got up. Come on hurry it up. Safely past she slid the bike off her shoulder and unlocked her door. A quick backwards glance showed that she hadn’t followed yippee. She shut the door behind her and parked the bike against the wall and slumped against the door. Today had been a long day and now all she wanted to do was lie down and sleep. She dragged herself to the sofa and sat down. She lay her head back and closed her eyes, her head was buzzing and quite audibly too. A little bit of peace would be nice right now.