Birds Of A Feather Episode 06
Jess held her breath. Was Ben going to tell her he loved her? Certainly, he’d been dropping a few hints about the future recently.
“Just tell me.” She smiled encouragingly. “Before your gran comes out and joins our conversation.”
“Well, the thing is, I’ve been given the chance of a transfer to CID.”
Her smile wobbled. All that humming and hawing just to tell her about a job?
“But that’s what you were hoping for, wasn’t it?”
“Yes and no. CID, yes. But the job’s in Manchester.”
“Manchester,” she forced herself to say lightly. “I’ve heard it’s a great place.”
What a fool she’d almost made of herself. Thank goodness he’d had his say before she betrayed her feelings.
At least there was a plus side. Now she didn’t have to tell him about the Ryans. Harry had told her to keep away from them and Ben would probably have similar advice.
“I’m pleased for you, Ben, although I’ll miss you,” she said as she stepped away from him. “As will Alfie.”
She would miss him. He’d been there for her since she moved to Little Billington and she didn’t know how she’d have coped with the trauma of Steven’s arrest and trial if it hadn’t been for Ben’s reassuring presence every step of the way.
He looked at a loss for a moment, as if he’d started to say something but forgotten what it was.
“It’s temporary, at least to start with,” he said. “They’re setting up a new serious crimes unit and if all goes well they hope to roll it out across the whole country.
“I’d be well placed for a local posting, should one come up.”
“It sounds brilliant.” She forced herself to sound sincere. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks. Although there’s a chance that the whole thing might bomb and then I’ll be back within the month.”
“Well, I hope not. For your sake. Have you told your gran?”
He shook his head.
During her years in the children’s homes, Jess had had plenty of practice at hiding her true feelings.
It stood her in good stead now.
“I’ll bet she knew about Manchester before you did.”
He smiled.
“You’re probably right. Talking of which, she said she saw you drive off in Paloma’s car this morning. Go anywhere special?”
Jess smothered a flash of irritation.
“Doesn’t your grandmother ever sleep?”
“If she does, it’s with one ear and eye open in case she misses something.
“And you don’t have to answer that. I didn’t mean to pry.”
“You’re not. I went to Bristol. Some admin stuff about my grandfather’s estate.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to finish a necklace and earrings set that must be sent off tomorrow.
“And Elsie’s about to fall in the hydrangea bush, she’s leaning so far out of the window.”
She was proud of the lightness of her tone, and of the way she walked away and didn’t look back.
Ben was moving on. And so must she.
Glastonbury High Street was teeming with Saturday morning shoppers as Jess got off the bus.
Usually when she came to Glastonbury she loved to browse the quirky shops, but that morning, she was too nervous to spare them a passing glance.
After the vibrancy of the centre, Shauna’s road was dark and oppressive.
Her house was at the very end with a battered old van propped up on bricks in the front garden.
A short, stocky man with more hair on his chin than his head was peering under the raised bonnet.
He looked up as Jess opened the gate.
“I’m looking for Shauna,” she said.
He wiped his oily hands down his stained overalls.
“Who wants her?” he demanded, eyes dark with suspicion. “If you’re from the council, you can tell them to –”
“It’s nothing like that, I promise.” Jess stepped back as he lumbered towards her. “It’s a personal matter.”
He went up to the door.
“Shauna. A woman here wants to see you. Says it’s personal.”
After what seemed an eternity Jess heard footsteps coming down the hall and the scrape of the door as it opened.
Shauna was, Jess supposed, in her forties, her short dumpy frame squeezed into purple striped leggings and a sweatshirt proclaiming she was Born To Be Wild.
“Hello, Shauna,” Jess began her carefully rehearsed speech. “You don’t know me, but –”
“Stop.” Shauna’s eyes flashed with anger. “I don’t want nothing to do with you.”
“Oh, sorry. I should have said.” Jess smiled. “I’m not from the council. I’m –”
“I know exactly who you are,” Shauna snapped. “And you can go back to wherever you came from.”
“But I’m –”
“Joe’s daughter.” Shauna’s voice lowered to an angry whisper.
“I can see that. You’re the spitting image of Kathryn.” From her expression, Jess could tell that was not a good thing.
“Now get out.”
Jess made one last attempt.
“Your parents, Frank and Maureen. Could you tell me how to contact them?”
“Stay away from them,” Shauna snarled. “Ma’s not well and the sight of you could kill her.
“Your mother brought nothing but trouble to this family and you’re not going to take up where she left off.”