The Secret Child (DI Amy Winter #2)(91)

‘I don’t know what to say.’ The words tumbled from Amy’s mouth as she acclimatised herself to the news. Donovan must have known he was joining the team, yet he hadn’t breathed a word. But Pike was right. Things were going to change.





CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT

‘May I say how honoured I am to spend a rare day off with you. How long has it been since you’ve taken one? Ten days? Two weeks?’ The comment came from Sally-Ann, who had guilt-tripped Amy into spending some ‘sisterly time’ together. But the words were delivered with a smile. Sally-Ann was well aware of the challenges that working in the police brought, particularly given she was living with Paddy, Amy’s right-hand man.

Amy returned her smile. ‘I can think of worse ways to spend my day. Being surrounded by cats and kittens is just the therapy I need.’ As far as Amy was concerned, it had been an excellent idea to visit their local cat shelter. Not that Dotty would have approved, but this visit was to complete Sally-Ann’s family, not hers. As they ambled past the outdoor enclosures with the sun on her face, everything felt well in Amy’s world. But peace was there to be shattered, and as her mobile phone rang, Amy was tempted to ignore the call. ‘It’s Adam,’ she said, plucking the phone from her jeans pocket and eyeing the display.

‘Go on, answer it,’ Sally-Ann said. ‘I want to hear what the scumbag has to say for himself.’

There was a time when Amy could not have shared her personal life even with her sister. But what she had with Adam was over, and she was finally in a place where she could move on. Snatching up the phone, she accepted the call before she could change her mind. ‘Hello, who’s this?’ she said, giving her sister a wink. She would not give Adam the satisfaction of knowing she still had his contact details saved on her phone.

‘It’s me, Adam.’ He sounded deflated, dissolving the smile from Amy’s face.

‘Have you got a minute?’ he said. ‘Can we talk?’

‘I think the time for talking is over . . .’ Amy began to say.

‘Please. It’s important.’

‘What’s wrong?’ Amy frowned. She may have washed her hands of him, but she no longer wished him ill. She watched as Sally-Ann bent down at an enclosure and stroked a tabby cat through the wire mesh.

‘Look, I won’t keep you. I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I took our break-up badly. I let Lillian get under my skin. I should never have printed that story. That woman . . . she has a way of making you do things . . . she egged me on.’

Amy’s sympathy began to fade. Even now, Adam could not take responsibility for his deeds.

‘The damage is done. It’s too late for apologies.’ She frowned. What did he want her to say? Surely she had made her feelings clear?

‘Anyway . . . I was thinking we could balance it out if you gave your side of the story too.’

‘You’re kidding,’ Amy blurted out with a laugh.

‘Think about it. Lillian’s had her say, now you can respond. Or we could interview you both together . . . pit her argument against yours.’

‘Adam, I need you to warm up your few remaining brain cells and work with me.’ Amy’s voice dripped with sarcasm. She was enjoying having her say. ‘From now on, all I want from you is the silent treatment. I don’t want to hear your bullshit. I don’t want to see your face and I certainly don’t want to receive your calls. You get me?’

‘If you’ll just let me explain,’ Adam replied. ‘We could meet up over coffee, discuss it properly.’

Amy marvelled at his cheek. ‘I’d rather stick my head in the oven than spend another minute with you. Enjoy your playtime with Lillian. I’m never letting you close enough to hurt me again.’ Pressing the power button, she switched off her phone. She glanced at Sally-Ann and saw admiration on her face. ‘I try to be nice,’ Amy said. ‘But my mouth doesn’t always cooperate.’

‘Good for you,’ Sally-Ann replied, chuckling under her breath. ‘Look at this little girl.’ She pointed to a skinny grey cat housed in its own enclosure. A handwritten sign tied to the mesh gave her the name of Taz. ‘She’s had a lifetime of cruelty, and she’s only three years old.’

All thoughts of Adam dissipated as Amy read the sign. The cat was not the prettiest of creatures. A line of shaved fur revealed a shock of stitches running across her back.

‘I’m having her.’ Sally-Ann smiled, not in the least put off as the cat shied away from her touch. ‘I’ll win her round.’ A cold breeze enveloped them as a cloud passed over the sun.

‘There’s something I wanted to ask you,’ Sally-Ann said, eyeing up a family who were cooing over the kittens. ‘I wasn’t going to bring it up, but seeing as Adam’s killed the mood . . .’

‘Is it about Lillian?’ Amy sensed her sister’s concern. Together, they walked away from the enclosure.

‘Yeah. Is it true? Is the appeal really going ahead?’

Amy nodded. ‘It’s gaining momentum. You know what that means, don’t you?’

Her head bowed, Sally-Ann seemed burdened with the weight of her plight. ‘I’m going to have to give a statement, aren’t I? God, the thought of her knowing I survived makes me sick.’