The Long Call (Two Rivers #1) - Ann Cleeves Page 0,22

Jonathan was there. He was in charge of the place. Maurice recognized him from outside the door, even though the man had his back to him. He had hair that was so blond it was almost white and he wore shorts and sandals whatever the weather. Maurice hadn’t known what to make of him when they’d first met. Now, he saw him as some sort of hero, because he’d been the energy behind the Woodyard, and Lucy was so happy here. Today the shorts were khaki and came below the knee and there was a T-shirt with a sheep on it. He was having problems with a printer and was swearing, words that Maurice would never say out loud, not even if he was on his own.

Maurice tapped at the door and Jonathan turned around.

‘Maurice, are you any good at technology?’

Maurice shook his head. ‘Sorry.’

‘Ah, bugger! Never mind, Lorraine will be in soon and she’s brilliant.’ He moved so he was closer to Maurice and leaned against the desk. ‘How can I help? I saw Lucy yesterday and she seemed very well. I know that some of the chaps had problems moving out to the Woodyard, but I hear from the workers at the centre that she’s thriving here. Gaining in independence and confidence every day, I hear. And a great asset in the cafe.’

‘I know.’ Maurice wasn’t sure how to start explaining. There was an awkward silence. He felt himself blushing, wished Maggie was here, because she’d know what to say.

‘Is this about where Lucy might live when you can’t look after her any more? I know the social worker’s asked you to think about that.’

‘No!’ Maurice knew he should think about that, but he wasn’t ready. He couldn’t imagine life at home without her.

‘Because there are options, you know, and it probably is time to talk them through. You and Lucy. I think she’d be fine on her own with a bit of support.’

Maurice thought he would come and talk to Jonathan sometime about Lucy’s future, though he’d hate living on his own. He shouldn’t be such a coward. ‘I know,’ he said, ‘but there’s something more important I need to tell you now.’

‘I could do with a coffee. Why don’t we go to the cafe and you can tell me what’s worrying you?’ Jonathan moved towards the door. Maurice thought he was pleased to be leaving the office and his work there.

They sat in the cafe, by the big windows that looked down the river towards Anchor Woods. The tide was out and there was an expanse of mud, the skeletons of rowing boats left to rot. Here, Maurice found it easier to start talking. He told Jonathan about the man on the bus and how worried he’d been about him approaching Lucy in that way.

‘He might just have been friendly, but it seems odd. Luce said he got off at her stop each evening, but when I saw his picture on the telly, I knew he wasn’t someone I recognize from the village. I don’t know everyone there; sometimes there are incomers. But it’s weird, don’t you think? As if he was stalking her. You hear of people taking advantage of vulnerable people. Bullying. Sexual assault. There was something in the newspaper only last week.’ Maurice stopped for a moment. He wanted to say that if this Walden had plans to harm his daughter he didn’t mind if someone had killed him, but Jonathan might take it the wrong way. If the police were involved, you had to be careful what you said.

‘And Lucy definitely identified the man on the TV as the person who was chatting to her on the bus?’

‘Yes.’ Maurice sipped his coffee. It was stronger than he liked, but it would have been rude not to drink it. ‘She was certain it was him. And she’s good at remembering pictures.’

Jonathan nodded. ‘You do know you’ll have to talk to the police. If he’s been going out to Lovacott each day on the bus, they’ll want to know what he was doing there, who he might have been meeting. It’s hardly the centre of the universe, Lovacott, is it? Only six miles from town but it feels like the back of beyond and I can’t think why he’d be making the regular trip.’

Maurice nodded. ‘I wanted to make sure they sent someone who’d understand to talk to Lucy. Someone patient, who wouldn’t get her flustered or upset. And I hoped you would be