Sleepwalk (14 page)

‘David Wilson?’

‘Yes. What is it? What’s happened?’
When you know you haven’t done anything wrong you always assume the worst
……

‘We’d like to talk to you. Is it okay if we come inside? We won’t take up too much of your time.’

‘Well…… yes okay. But I’ve got to get Ollie’s tea.’

‘This won’t take long sir.’

Oliver ran instantly to his father’s side and clutched his trouser leg. ‘Peaceman Daddy.’

‘Its ok mate. Come on; let’s get you some tea eh?’

They went inside and while the female officer talked to Ollie in the sitting room, the male officer followed David into the kitchen so he could prepare Ollie’s tea.

‘What’s this all about officer?’

‘How long have you known Felicity Breen Mr Wilson?’

‘Flick? What’s happened? Is she ok?’

‘She’s fine. There has been an incident at her house.’

‘What kind of incident? Has she been hurt?’

‘No. She wasn’t in the house at the time. There has been a fire at her house……’

‘Oh my God! Poor Flick. Where is she? I must go and see her.’ David started toward the door.

‘Mr Wilson, please. Would you sit down a minute please?’

‘I
phoned
her last night and this morning
but
she
didn’t answer
. She had to go to the hospital. Her father was taken ill you see. I should have gone with her but Ollie….’ David sat at the table and pushed his dark hair back over his head. The young officer could see that his face was quite pale and clammy. He was probably in shock.

‘Ok. Now David; you don’t mind if I call you David?’

‘No.’

‘Flick is fine, really. She is staying with her parents. I’m sure she’ll be in touch with you. The fire took place at around half eleven; twelve last night and it was started deliberately.’

‘Jesus. Was it bad? I mean…. How bad is it? All her things…….’

‘It was bad enough. I’m sorry David but I have to ask, where were you between say ten thirty and twelve o clock last night?’

‘Here of course. I’m here every night with Oliver. We had dinner together, Flick and I, and then she got this
phone call
, about
quarter to ten
I’d say, saying her father had been taken into hospital. I offered to get Mum over to babysit and go with her but she just dashed off and I haven’t heard from her since. I’ve been a bit tied up today but I’m very fond of Flick and I’m worried about her. I think someone is trying to hurt her and that really bothers me. This isn’t the first incident you know.’

David explained how he had found her that morning and what
Sandy
had told him about the cat. The officer asked if he would mind coming down to the station as he believed his boss would like to know about the cat incident. When they left David phoned Felicity but the call went straight to her
answering machine
. He phoned his mother who came over to look after Oliver and then he went to the station and talked to DI Carter who was the officer in charge of this investigation. The Interview was not quite what he expected and he took an instant dislike to DI Carter who began firing questions at him until David could not tolerate his accusations any more.

‘For Christ’s sake man, I’m not the guilty party here. I’ve come down here to try and help sort out this mess and you’re treating me like a suspect. Some psycho is out there trying to kill her and you’re accusing me! Now I’ve told you everything I know so unless you intend charging me which would be absolutely ludicrous by the way, I am now going to see my girlfriend and make sure she really is alright, as everyone keeps telling me and then get back to my son so if you’ll excuse me……’

DI Carter nodded to the uniformed officer standing in his way and he moved aside to let him pass. David had had just about enough of this. He didn’t like DI Carter or his line of questioning. They were wasting time when the real villain was out there somewhere, probably planning his next move. He had to see Flick…… had to talk to her, and if she wouldn’t answer her phone then he would go and find her himself.

It was almost lunch time when Felicity woke up, the comforting aroma of her mother’s roast dinner rising up the stairs to her room. She had a quick shower and joined her mother in the kitchen who had her back to her and was about to lift the heavy meat dish from the oven.

‘I’ll do that Mum.’ Felicity rushed to her side and as she lowered the dish onto the kitchen worktop she noticed her mother had turned away from her again and was busying herself washing utensils in the sink and sniffing occasionally.

‘Mum? Are you okay?’

‘I’m sorry Felicity. I didn’t mean to get upset in front of you but it…….it just all gets on top of me sometimes what with your father and …….. and now this business with your house.’ Margaret reached for a tissue from the box on the microwave and wiped her eyes and nose. ‘It’s such a worry.’

‘Hey, come here.’ Felicity wrapped her arms around her mother and held her close. ‘Don’t worry Mum. The police will find out who did it. And I’m okay, honestly. It’s only a few material possessions. I’ve got my whole life to accumulate more….. and no doubt I will. You don’t mind me staying here do you? It’ll only be for a few weeks until I fix up the house? I could always stay with
Sandy
if it’s difficult for you.’

‘Don’t be silly Felicity. Of course I don’t mind. It’s not that. It’s just………. Your father is becoming very difficult…….. almost impossible.’

‘It’s hard for you Mum isn’t it? Well I can help while I’m here and………. Where is he anyway?’

‘I have no Idea darling. Wandering around the village somewhere I expect.’

Felicity put down the table mats and faced her mother. ‘He’s gone out? On his own?’

‘You see. This is the problem Felicity. Your father does things; says things…… horrible things to me. He came down just now dressed in his best suit and shirt and went to the door. I asked him where he was going and he said he had a date. A date! I’m his wife for goodness sake. How can he do this to me?’ Margaret burst into tears again and Felicity tried to comfort her but she was hurt; hurt and angry.

‘Mum. It’s not him doing this………. It’s the Parkinsons. He probably thinks he’s sixteen and he’s got a date with someone……… with you maybe but he can’t remember. It’s not his fault. I’d better go and find him. Will you be okay?’

Her mother nodded and wiped her eyes again. Felicity walked down the drive and looked along the lane but there was no sign of her father. She got into her car and just as she was pulling out of the drive the familiar sight of David’s silver Audi rounding the bend coming toward her made her heart skip a beat. As she stopped her car and got out he was walking toward her.

‘David! I’m sorry. I should have called.’

‘Are you okay Flick? I’ve been so worried about you. The police came to see me and told me about the fire. Why didn’t you call?’ He threw his arms around her and held her tight, like he would never let go.

‘I’m sorry it…….. it just all happened so fast and it was like the middle of the night and I didn’t want to wake you. I’ve been up nearly all night at the police station and slept all morning because I was so tired.’

‘Oh my poor babe.’

She told him about her father and together they went to look for him. David followed her directions and they drove all around the village but there was no sign of him. They stopped in
Compton
’s little square by the church and walked up and down the side roads together. They went into the church which was deserted now that the Sunday morning service was over. Then they walked to the rec where a few locals were enjoying the afternoon sunshine with their children and dogs. Felicity saw a friend of her mothers walking her dog and asked if she had seen her father.

‘Gone AWOL again has he? Well I’ll keep my eyes peeled dear and spread the word. He’ll turn up, don’t you worry.’

They walked up and down the streets and country lanes for almost an hour, by which time Felicity was becoming increasingly worried. She phoned her mother to see if he had returned home but he hadn’t and then her mother became upset because
it was all her fault that she’d let him go off like that
.

‘Flick, why don’t we head back to the car and drive around every possible route out of the village until we find him?’

‘Ok. But I think we should call the police David.’

‘I agree. If we don’t find him soon, we’ll do that.’

They took the main route to East Barton first, then turned around and went in the opposite direction, calling in at Green Acres en route. Agnes hadn’t seen him and there was still no sign of him. They decided to go home and make the call and then, as they turned the corner into Woodlands, David slowed the car down……..

‘Flick? Is that him? On the bench over there look.’

‘Oh my God yes!’ She was already out of the car and was running across the playing field toward him with David in hot pursuit.’

‘Dad? Are you ok?’

‘I was too late. I’ve been here waiting but I must have got here too late you see.’

‘Too late for what? Come on Dad. Let’s go home eh?’

She took his arm and they walked back over the field to the car. ‘Dad, this is my friend, David’ she explained as they walked. ‘He helped me to look for you in his car. We’ve been everywhere, all round the village looking for you. You mustn’t go off like this Dad; It’s dangerous.’

‘I was only at the football match you know. I’m not stupid Felicity.’

‘No Dad. You’re not stupid. Not at all. Come on.’

There was a time not so long ago when her father would have shaken David’s hand and said he was very pleased to meet him; asked him questions about himself and talked about work, politics, current affairs or chatted about the weather and would have been polite and sociable. But today her father wasn’t the same man. He didn’t even acknowledge David was there. Instead there was this new, almost childlike father who needed to be cared for and protected and who occasionally didn’t even recognise his loved ones. Only every now and then her real father would return and you wouldn’t believe there was anything wrong with him. He could hold long conversations and give really good advice and made perfect sense. But he was never there for long enough and inevitably, the new father returned once more; each time for longer periods. The real Joseph Breen rarely showed himself and it was heartbreaking to witness. He was fading away before their eyes and Felicity could see now how hard it must be for her mother; to watch the man she’d loved and respected her whole life suffer this degradation. It was soul destroying and she wished with all her heart that she could make it go away and have him back the way he was before.

David turned into her parent’s driveway and the three of them got out of the car. Her mother came out to meet them, her eyes still red from crying and she threw her arms around her husband and held him close.

‘Joseph where have you been?’

‘Went to the football match of course.’

‘We searched all over the village and all the time he was only up at the playing fields.’ Felicity explained.

‘Must have been too late you see. I’ll go earlier next time.’

‘Perhaps we’ll go together next time eh?’

‘Yes I’d like that Margaret. That’s a date then.’

Margaret Breen smiled awkwardly at her daughter as the realisation struck home and then looked at David.

‘Sorry Mum, this is David. David……. my Mum.’

‘Hello David. I’m very pleased to meet you.’ She shook his hand. ‘I’ve heard a lot about you from Felicity. Won’t you come in and have some lunch with us David? It’s a bit dried up now but you’re more than welcome.’

‘Drives too fast.’ muttered Joseph.

‘That’s very kind of you Mrs Breen but I’d better not stay; some other time perhaps.’

‘Yes and you must bring your little boy, Oliver is it?’

‘Yes. Well thank you. That’s very kind of you.’

As her parents went inside they stood for a minute on the drive facing each other.

‘There’s never a dull moment in your life is there?’ David smiled as he spoke.

‘It never used to be like this, honestly. My life was just quiet…… dull, even and …. and then……’

‘Then you met me? In the words of DI Carter; The rise…. (
enter David Wilson
)….and fall of Felicity Breen. Yes I’ve felt the wrath of Carter and his gestapo techniques; and I wasn’t impressed. Flick I don’t know what’s going on here but please think carefully. Do you have an ex boyfriend or even someone who would like to be your boyfriend; someone you’ve turned down perhaps? Someone who has heard we’re together or has seen us together? It’s very important that you think about this carefully and don’t rule anyone out. We need to find out who is doing this, and we need to find them now.’

‘I’ll….. I’ll give it some thought but, you know David, I can’t believe anyone I know could do something like that.’

‘I know babe. I know. But it could be someone you don’t know. It could be anyone; a neighbour; a friend…… a workmate.’