Page 49 of Her Last Walk Home

After showering and looping her hair in a messy bun, Shannon dressed in a fresh pair of jeans and a white knitted jumper. She pulled on her socks and boots, and grabbed a rain jacket from the back of the bedroom door before making her way downstairs.

‘The dead has arisen at last,’ George said when she entered the kitchen.

‘Thought you had work to catch up on.’

‘I’m minding Davy, seeing as my drunk sister who offered to help is hungover.’

‘You could have called me.’ She slipped a slice of bread into the toaster.

‘You think I didn’t try? You were dead to the world. I did everything except throw a basin of cold water over you.’

‘Okay. Sorry. I’m not going out tonight.’

‘Where are you headed now?’

‘To meet Jess.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes, really.’ She flicked the switch on the toaster and the bread popped up, still limp. Without waiting to butter it, she bit off a corner and chewed. ‘Did you hear any more about that girl’s murder?’

‘Only what’s on the news.’

‘Jess said someone else was killed. A man.’

‘I read that online. Some builder out at that fancy new development. Pine Grove.’

‘That’s going to be a fab estate when it’s finished. I’m going to live there one day. Did it say who it was or what happened to him?’

‘No name yet. Why? Do you know him?’

‘How would I know if I know him, Einstein, if I don’t know his name?’ She wondered how Jess had the name if it hadn’t yet been released. Probably all over Twitter.

‘God, you really need to give up the drink. You’re like ten bags of cats with a hangover.’

‘I’m just hungry.’ She turned to leave. ‘I’ll get a chicken fillet roll at the garage on my way into town.’

‘Do me a favour, seeing as you spent all my money last night.’

‘What do you want? A double chicken fillet roll?’

‘No, take Davy with you. You told me last night you’d mind him, and I have work to do or I’ll be fired and then we’re fucked.’ He pointed to his laptop on the table.

‘But he’s sick.’

‘A few goes on the swings in the park might perk him up. It’s not good for a kid to be cooped up all day.’

‘If you lend me a twenty, I’ll take him with me.’

‘Jesus, Shannon, I’m not made of money. I’ll get his coat.’

‘Money first.’

He flicked through his wallet. ‘I only have a fifty.’

She snatched it from his hand. ‘I’ll bring back the change. Promise.’

After the plate-throwing incident, he couldn’t relax in his usual safe place. He got in the car and left the house just asshearrived home. Good, because he was unable to face her. Not now. Not after all that had happened.

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