Page 31 of Wistful Whispers

The nurse from earlier comes back in, holding a familiar phone. She smiles as she hands it over. “Your brother sent his phone for you.”

“My brother?” I whisper, surprised.

“Yep. Your family and a few friends are waiting just down the hall. They’ll meet you in your room once you’re done here and they practically begged me to tell you—take your time,” she says with a grin, holding out Ols’ phone. “He said there’s no code,” she adds with a wink before stepping out again to give us a little space.

I unlock the phone with shaky fingers, heart thudding as I lift it to snap a few photos of Jake holding our little girl. Jake looks at her like she’s his whole world and I want to capture every second.

The nurse steps in again to help as Jake carefully brings her over to me, cradling her close. We manage a selfie—me, Jake, and our tiny miracle all together for the first time. It’s not perfect but it’s everything.

I find Mum and Keeley in Ols’ contacts and send them the photos. Almost immediately a picture comes back from Keeley.It’s Mum and Ols, huddled over Mum’s phone in the waiting room, both in tears.

Keeley

One very happy uncle and granny out here.

I wipe the tears of joy away and let my gaze rest on Jake who’s softly whispering to our baby girl.

“What are you telling her?”

“I’m just describing all the toys I’ve got ready for her for when she gets home,” he laughs. He has tired dark circles under his eyes and I guess we both should be resting but neither of us wants to say goodbye.

“Jake, there’s a police inspector here to see you. He said to take your time but could you please come out when you’re ready?” the nurse interrupts us.

“Oh, sure.” Worry is back on his face and Chrissy seems to pick up on it as she starts to fidget.

Our little girl is put back into the incubator with the help of a nurse but it takes us another five minutes to feel ready to leave her for now.

I’m rolled into a room at the end of the corridor with Jake by my side. We barely have time for a quick kiss when the door opens.

“Jake, Hannah, my name is DI Miller and this is my colleague DS Shah.”

Jake’s hand finds mine and he holds on tight.

“Did you arrest Mincer… or Grant?” he asks, his voice cold.

“We were able to apprehend a suspect on the sailing yacht you were taken out on. He was unconscious and is currently recovering in hospital. He seemed to have fallen and hit his head.”

“He’s here in hospital.” I panic and Jake next to me is frozen stiff.

“No, sorry, I should have made that clear. We took him to Keswick. He’s not seriously injured. We also arrested his accomplice who was coming to get him from the boat. Apparently they were planning to sedate you with chloroform and then sink the boat to make it look like an accident.”

I’m starting to feel sick. So that’s what he’d been looking for in the backpack. Jake gently squeezes my hand.

“What about Grant?” he asks.

“Special branch tried to arrest him in London, but he resisted. He shot a police officer and was neutralised. He didn’t make it,” the DI explains.

I didn’t think I could feel happy about another person’s death but today I do. Jake sobs and bends over, laying his head on my lap. All the tension escapes from his body and he just cries with relief whilst whispering, "It’s over. It is really over.”

“Both of the arrested are facing very serious charges for other crimes they’re wanted for, so I am sure they won’t be a concern to you any longer,” the DS says kindly. “We’ll let you recover but we’ll be back tomorrow to take your statements.” I nod and they leave us alone.

I gently stroke Jake’s head which is still on my lap shaking through the sobs.

“We’re safe. You kept us safe.”

“No, I put us in danger. I’m so sorry,” he cries and places a desperate kiss on my lips.

“Jake, look at me. You can’t control what others do. But when we needed you, you saved us. I would be dead by now and so would be Chrissy if you hadn’t jumped after us. You saved us.” Tears are rolling over my cheeks too.

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