Then She Vanishes(47)



A few hours. Why didn’t someone ring before? Why hadn’t Margot been with her? Or Adam? Heather had woken up and been alone. She must have felt scared, wondering where she was and what had happened.

‘I’ve just been explaining to Mr Underwood,’ Dr Khan smiles reassuringly at Adam, ‘that we’ve done all the necessary checks and the signs are very encouraging. Heather has regained full consciousness.’

‘What about brain damage?’ Margot asks.

‘As far as we’re aware, there is no sign of damage or trauma to the brain. However, it does seem that Heather has trouble remembering the …’ she swallows and pushes her glasses further up her nose, glancing briefly at the sleeping Heather ‘… incident that brought her here. But, again, this is sometimes the case.’

‘She knew who I was,’ Margot says.

Adam strides past her and perches on the chair Margot only recently vacated. He takes Heather’s hand in his large one and, with the other, smooths her silky dark hair from her forehead. ‘Hello, love,’ he says to her. ‘It’s Adam. I’m here.’

Her eyes flicker open and lock with his, and Margot sees such intimacy between them that she feels as though she’s intruding.

Even though Margot wants never to leave Heather’s side again, she knows they need time alone and steps out of the room, along with the doctor.

They glance at the policewoman, who’s still standing outside Heather’s door, like a security guard or a bouncer. Margot would love to tell her to bugger off and that she’s encroaching on a private family moment. Instead she moves away and Dr Khan follows. ‘It’s really encouraging,’ Dr Khan says again, when they’re out of earshot of the officer. ‘This is the best possible outcome we could have expected for Heather.’

‘I know visiting hours are over, but can I stay?’

She flashes Margot a regretful smile. ‘I think Heather needs rest right now. She’s in the best hands, Mrs Powell, I can assure you of that.’

Margot goes to find Jess in the main waiting room. It’s now eleven o’clock, and the room is dimly lit and nearly empty, apart from Jess flicking through a magazine in the corner, and a bloke staring into space, sipping from a coffee cup.

Jess jumps up when she notices Margot. ‘How is she?’

Jess looks tired, Margot thinks, and some of her mascara has smudged around her eyes. ‘She’s surprisingly well. No sign of brain damage. Although she’s very tired. Adam’s still with her but the doctor said it would be best for me to come back first thing.’

Jess rushes into Margot’s arms. ‘I’m so pleased,’ she says, giving her a hug. ‘That’s great news. It must be such a relief.’

Margot steps away, suddenly feeling like a traitor. What would Heather think if she knew that Margot had been fraternizing with her one-time best friend? Would she mind? ‘Do you need a lift home?’ says Jess, pulling her parka around her and stifling a yawn.

‘That’s really kind but I’ll wait for Adam. Thank you, Jess. For tonight.’

Jess smiles shyly. ‘I’m glad I could help. And I’m so happy that Heather’s going to be okay.’

She gives Margot a wave and leaves the room. Margot watches her go, unable to stop the smile spreading across her face. Heather’s awake. And now, at last, they might finally get some answers.





26




Jess


Monday, 19 March 2012





BRISTOL DAILY NEWS



THE SEASIDE SHOOTER’S FRIEND REVEALS ALL


by Harriet Hill

A family friend of the alleged Seaside Shooter who killed a Tilby couple revealed the moment she found her.

Mother and son Deirdre and Clive Wilson were shot dead in their home last Friday, the 9th. The suspect, Heather Underwood, 32, is currently in a coma in hospital after turning the gun on herself.

Sheila Bannerman, 58, who has worked with the family for years, had arrived at Tilby Manor Caravan Park at around 8 a.m. on the 9th to put out the horses to graze. She explained: ‘I’d gone into the main barn, as that’s where the tack room is, to get a head collar for one of the horses when I found Heather. She was on the floor with the gun beside her and a wound to her chest. There was also a pool of blood surrounding her head. I thought she was dead, that she’d been murdered. I called the ambulance and they arrived within minutes. When I later found out that she was the one who had killed those two people and tried to take her own life – well, I couldn’t believe it.’

The Powell family, who have owned the caravan park since 1991, have had their share of tragedy. Margot Powell’s elder daughter, Heather’s sister Flora, disappeared in 1994 when she was only sixteen. The police never solved the case, although many locals, including Sheila herself, believe that Flora was murdered. ‘I knew the family back then,’ she said. ‘Flora’s bloodstained blouse was found but never her body. Her uncle Leo was arrested at the time but released without charge. Leo always has had a liking for younger women and I think a lot of the locals believe that there’s no smoke without fire, especially now he’s left. We all wonder what he’s running away from. Tilby’s a safe, sleepy seaside town. For two awful tragedies to befall one family is particularly heart-wrenching.’

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