Someone Else's Skin by Sarah Hilary Page B

travelled past him, to the main entrance. ‘Rome’s here,’ he said with relief. He smiled at Noah. ‘Best if she does it.’
    Marnie returned from the lavatory with Simone. The four of them went on foot to the third-floor ward, where beds were separated by limp curtains on metal rails. In the bed next to Hope’s, a huge woman with a sunken face was moaning over a crossword. An oxygen mask made her eyes misty. Her breathing was scruffy, difficult.
    DC Abby Pike was seated at a discreet distance from Hope’s bed. She stood up when she saw DI Rome, coming across to meet them.
    ‘How’s she been?’ Marnie asked in a low voice.
    ‘Quiet. Sleeping, mostly. Worried about how Leo’s doing.’
    ‘Why don’t you take a break? We’re going to be here a while.’
    ‘Thanks, boss.’ Abby gave Noah and Ed a big smile, a softer version for Simone, before leaving the ward.
    Simone sat on the chair next to Hope’s bed. A blue Aertex blanket covered Hope’s legs. They’d propped her upright with pillows. The effect was of a rag doll artfully arranged.
    Ed and Marnie stood at the foot of the bed, not moving any closer. Simone drew Hope’s hand from under the sheet and held it. The two women spoke in whispers, just loud enough for Noah and the others to hear.
    ‘I’ve missed you,’ Simone said. ‘I’ve been so worried about you.’
    ‘I’m all right.’ Hope’s hand was loose and unresponsive in Simone’s grip.
    ‘Detective Inspector?’ A doctor beckoned from two beds down.
    Marnie left Ed’s side and walked over to where the man was waiting. The doctor told her something, too quietly for Noah to catch the words over the hospital radio that was streaming music into the ward. From her bed, Hope Proctor watched them with an intensity that made Simone turn her head to see what was going on.
    Marnie’s mouth had pressed shut. Noah knew that look, it meant trouble. The doctor turned and walked back down the ward, without looking at any of the patients. Marnie nodded at Noah to come with her. Ed didn’t need a prompt to stay with Simone and Hope. Noah and Marnie followed the doctor out of the ward.
    In the corridor, Noah said, ‘Hope seems a little better.’ It wasn’t strictly true, but he wanted to get Marnie talking.
    She shot him a look. ‘She’s a mess.’ She didn’t stop moving, following the doctor up a flight of stairs.
    Noah had to lengthen his stride to keep up. ‘Are we going to charge him?’
    ‘We need her to give evidence. You heard what Ed said about these women. The longer the abuse lasts, the less chance of the victim pressing charges. You can get used to anything, apparently.’
    ‘But if she’s facing charges over the stabbing . . .? What will it be, attempted murder? Manslaughter? She could go to prison, for years. Won’t her solicitor persuade her to give evidence against Leo, as part of her defence?’
    ‘He’ll try. We’ll all try. You saw how quick she was to take the blame, back at the refuge. Entrenched victim mentality.’
    The doctor had gone ahead, but he came to a halt now, waiting for them.
    Marnie told Noah, ‘Leo’s awake. Let’s see what he’s got to say.’

24
     
    She was here, in the hospital. He’d seen her, he’d fucking seen her.
    Sweat crawled all over his body like a rash. He sat doubled up at the wheel of the car, I ♥ London cap pulled low, heart punching in his chest.
    This was it. This—
    From the back seat, the sound started up, as if it’d been waiting for him to get this near, as if it knew .
    A thready whine, like a fly on loudspeaker, sounding like you could mute it with a swat of your hand, but you couldn’t. You could only make it worse.
    He swung round in the seat anyway, furious because she was here .
    This was his chance, maybe the only one he’d get.
    The whine climbed higher, scraping at the inside of his skull.
    ‘Shut up,’ he threatened. ‘Shut up or she won’t be the only one getting what she deserves.’

25
     
    Leo