The Affectionate Player - Part2

Chapter 15

"It's Steve Brooks. Fuck, I hope he has news." The buzzing ceases as he answers. My eyes follow his back as I watch him disappear into the hallway and out of earshot of Monty. A few minutes later he reappears approaching me with wary eyes.

"He's coming over. I hope that's OK." I haven't spoken to or clapped eyes on DI Brooks since my arrest and while I've dreaded the day when we'd come face-to-face, I know I have to see him sometime.

"Its fine," I sigh uneasily. "Better to just get it over with, hey?"

"That's my girl," he smiles, just as the doorbell sounds.

"Oh, I see. You mean imminently." Max frowns confirming my suspicion that he's already agreed on my behalf and as he makes his way to answer the door I hastily beat him to it.

"Hello Steve." Welcoming him, I invite the DI into our home contrary to the natural animosity that's rising inside me.

"Gracie. Max."

"Morning, Steve. You well?"

"Good, thanks. You?"

"Very well." Nodding he acknowledges Max's words before turning his attention to me. My first thought is that he's aged; perhaps this ordeal has affected him more than I'd imagined.

"Gracie. So pleased to see you, again." His embarrassment is clear as he drops his eyes and sensing my discomfort Max immediately gestures to the kitchen and encourages us to follow him.

"Hey, buddy," Steve grins, taking the seat next to Monty. "Been walking the plank lately?"

Monty beams shaking his head and begins instead to tell the DI about his trip to Ireland laughing hard as he shares with him how he'd fallen off his pony.

"You're full of adventure, young man." He smiles stretching his hand to gently squeeze Holly's cheek causing her to giggle in response. "Why don't you fetch Rexy so I can inspect him, too?" Monty squeals delighted and runs off in the direction of the den.

"Coffee?" I ask. Both men accept my offer prompting me to refill our cups and as I pour a fresh one for DI Brooks, he crosses the room approaching me.

"Gracie, may I first apologise for all that you've suffered, especially on my account? I trust Max has explained my reasons for asking for his cooperation." His obvious reference to our son's safety stirs my soul and the animosity I'd felt moments ago vanishes replaced instead by renewed fear.

"Yes, he has. Once I eventually allowed him to tell me." Confusion crosses his pale lined face.

"Well, surely you didn't expect me to skip out of custody and into Max's arms after all that you both put me through? I was scared and frightened," I say meeting his horrified stare. "I was left to think all sorts."

"I realise that, Gracie. I'm sorry for what it's worth."

"And I was extremely vulnerable after the attack. God knows how I managed to recover my memory afterwards."

"You're right, but..." Sensing he's not finished I urge him to continue.

"OK, Gracie. You should hear this from me." His words fill me with anxiety and for a moment I'm uncertain if I want to hear what he has to say.

"On the Saturday afternoon following your appointment I spoke to Dr Bell in detail. He talked me through the condition and explained how in certain cases the brain can shock itself into temporary amnesia through seizures or in your case, migraine. The continuous blows to your head no doubt caused the swelling on your brain and the headache that followed but often it only lasts for an hour or so."