‘Come back to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau with me. We can look into this,’ she offered.
He understood what was happening here. He was a step ahead of her. She thought she was luring him in. She wanted him to trust her so she could introduce him to back-to-work schemes and find him better accommodation. She had enough compassion to want to see Toma on his feet again. Yes, undoubtedly she would issue warning letters about the carbon-monoxide alarms to the bastard landlord, if she could track him down. She had a developed sense of responsibility and would want to stop this sort of disaster happening again if she could. She was good at her job. He nodded and stood up. He followed her through the park, back along the high street and into her office, certain that it was not him on the end of the line, it was her.
He would reel her in, a slippery, reluctant catch, maybe. But he would get her on side, convince her that his theory was a reality and then he would use her office resources to investigate the bastard that had killed his loves. Toma would have justice. Or revenge.
6
Lexi
Tuesday 23rd April
I’m looking forward to the appointment with the lottery people. My family think my reserve is odd, but I’m not made of steel – of course I’m excited about this win. Over the moon. It is, as we keep saying to ourselves and each other, amazing, fantastic, spectacular. It is those and all sorts of other overused superlatives. However, I am a realist and I know that this sort of win comes with some complications and responsibilities too. The timing couldn’t be worse. I try not to think of the Pearsons and the Heathcotes because whenever I do, the excited glow inside is extinguished. I feel cold and sour in my heart. I just need to understand the process, have everything locked down and agreed, and then we can really relax and enjoy our ridiculously good fortune.
Over the weekend, Jake and the kids drew up a list of stuff they wanted to squander the money on. It was very general. The things that featured included – but were not limited to – cars, property, clothes, parties, holidays. I groaned.
‘Guys, that list is a lazy list.’ All three stared at me, non-comprehending. Both my children look a lot like their dad: dark curly hair, dark eyes. They are all beautiful to look at, compelling. They wore the same expression too – excitement. No, scrub that – jubilation. ‘At least try and be specific. Don’t just write “holidays”, write a list of places you’ve always wanted to visit.’
Travel is edifying, right? Everyone knows that. I could happily sign off on travel. We’d do it together, we’d learn about different cultures, see what a big place the world is after all.
‘Disney Florida,’ yelled Logan. ‘Staying in like the best hotel. We’d fly first class, right?’
‘We certainly would, mate,’ confirmed Jake. ‘I’ve always wanted to turn left when boarding an aircraft.’
‘And the Maldives. Scarlett Scott went to the Maldives last year and her insta was amazing,’ chipped in Emily. ‘Oh my God, no scrub that, New York. Let’s go shopping in New York! Actually, both. Can we do both?’
A few years ago there was this Irish couple who won an extraordinarily huge amount on the Euro lottery. I don’t recall exactly how much. Over a hundred million. They immediately announced that they were going to be giving the bulk of it away to friends, family and good causes. A wonderful approach, very admirable, very sensible. Jake and I have agreed we’ll pay off his brothers’ mortgages and buy my sister a starter place. She has never managed to get on the property ladder as she is a bit of a nomad and has travelled all over the world for years. We’ll send my parents on a world cruise. Something glorious and indulgent. Although, thinking about it, my dad suffers terribly with seasickness; we once caught a ferry to Calais and it was as nasty as a Tarantino movie, so a cruise probably isn’t ideal for them. Maybe a safari. Or is that a bit too much now they are in their seventies? A couple of weeks in a posh pad in the South of France could work. Regret rips through my body. If only Jake’s parents were alive to be part of this. They’d have been delighted. Thrilled. Well, everyone will