followed.
Farr turned on to Freetown Way and went straight across the lights to Spring Bank. The rush hour was coming to a close, so there was still traffic on the road. Two cars separated us and I stayed lucky with the lights. I followed his car on to Princes Avenue and watched as they took a left down the first side street. I did the same and saw Farr pull into a parking space. I drove straight past and parked a little further on. I watched them walk back to Princes Avenue in my rear-view mirror. I locked my car up and followed at a safe distance. I lost sight of them as they rounded the corner. By the time I arrived at the same spot, they were using the pedestrian crossing. I stayed where I was and watched, as they walked into an Italian restaurant.
Unsure of what to do, I stared in the nearest shop window for a moment. I’d come this far, so I decided to a chance. I crossed the road and headed straight in to the restaurant, making for the back. I sat down and had a clear view of the place. Millfield and Farr were sitting well away from me, close to the window. They were leaning in towards each other, so I was certain they had no interest in me. The waitress walked over to me and took my order. I asked for a bowl of pasta. I wasn’t particularly hungry, but I could hardly just sit there. The food was pretty good, making it obvious why the place was popular. I didn’t take my eyes off them as I ate. They ordered dessert, so I had to wait it out. There was no chance of me moving until they did.
Neil Farr eventually summoned the waitress across and settled the bill. I placed some money down on my table, ready to move. Farr and Millfield both laughed and joked with the waitress as they waited for the card machine to process the transaction. They waved as they left. I allowed them a minute and then followed. I noticed Kath Millfield had left her scarf on the chair she’d been sitting at. I picked it up and took it across to the waitress.
I held it out to her. ‘The lady sitting there must have forgotten it.’
The waitress took it from me and nodded. ‘That’s very kind. They’re regulars here. I’ll make sure she gets it when they’re next in.’
I smiled and said that was perfect. I walked back to my car, suspecting Roger Millfield was right about his wife having an affair.
I sat in the hospital car park and waited for Sarah. A stream of people filed past me, heads down, glad to be out of the place. It was the end of visiting time. I switched the radio off and waited. Sarah appeared and got into the car. I asked her how Don was.
‘Probably no different to when you saw him. He’s sore and uncomfortable, but it’ll pass.’
‘Did he say anything?’
She shook her head. ‘He won’t tell me. In fact, he said we should leave him alone.’
It was obvious the situation was upsetting her. I glanced up at the hospital tower block and wondered what was going on in Don’s head. What was he so scared of? It wasn’t the Don I knew.
‘What have you been doing?’ Sarah asked me.
I told her about what I’d seen at the restaurant. ‘I’m going to have to speak to Neil Farr about it.’ I shuffled in my seat. ‘I’ve also found out who the cigarettes belong to.’
‘Who?’
‘George Sutherland. I met him earlier and told him I’d take the debt on.’
‘That’s a big commitment.’
She was genuinely surprised by my news. But what else could I do? It wasn’t Niall’s world. He had a family to think of. I didn’t mention the amount of money involved.
I dropped Sarah off outside her house. Niall had left a message on my voicemail. He was asking me for an update, but I could tell he just wanted to talk. I called back and asked him where he was. He said he was at Victoria Pier. I knew it well. I headed straight there and found him stood by himself, staring out at the brown water of the River Humber. I locked up and made my way over to him. It was early evening and cold. I zipped my coat up
Farr turned on to Freetown Way and went straight across the lights to Spring Bank. The rush hour was coming to a close, so there was still traffic on the road. Two cars separated us and I stayed lucky with the lights. I followed his car on to Princes Avenue and watched as they took a left down the first side street. I did the same and saw Farr pull into a parking space. I drove straight past and parked a little further on. I watched them walk back to Princes Avenue in my rear-view mirror. I locked my car up and followed at a safe distance. I lost sight of them as they rounded the corner. By the time I arrived at the same spot, they were using the pedestrian crossing. I stayed where I was and watched, as they walked into an Italian restaurant.
Unsure of what to do, I stared in the nearest shop window for a moment. I’d come this far, so I decided to a chance. I crossed the road and headed straight in to the restaurant, making for the back. I sat down and had a clear view of the place. Millfield and Farr were sitting well away from me, close to the window. They were leaning in towards each other, so I was certain they had no interest in me. The waitress walked over to me and took my order. I asked for a bowl of pasta. I wasn’t particularly hungry, but I could hardly just sit there. The food was pretty good, making it obvious why the place was popular. I didn’t take my eyes off them as I ate. They ordered dessert, so I had to wait it out. There was no chance of me moving until they did.
Neil Farr eventually summoned the waitress across and settled the bill. I placed some money down on my table, ready to move. Farr and Millfield both laughed and joked with the waitress as they waited for the card machine to process the transaction. They waved as they left. I allowed them a minute and then followed. I noticed Kath Millfield had left her scarf on the chair she’d been sitting at. I picked it up and took it across to the waitress.
I held it out to her. ‘The lady sitting there must have forgotten it.’
The waitress took it from me and nodded. ‘That’s very kind. They’re regulars here. I’ll make sure she gets it when they’re next in.’
I smiled and said that was perfect. I walked back to my car, suspecting Roger Millfield was right about his wife having an affair.
I sat in the hospital car park and waited for Sarah. A stream of people filed past me, heads down, glad to be out of the place. It was the end of visiting time. I switched the radio off and waited. Sarah appeared and got into the car. I asked her how Don was.
‘Probably no different to when you saw him. He’s sore and uncomfortable, but it’ll pass.’
‘Did he say anything?’
She shook her head. ‘He won’t tell me. In fact, he said we should leave him alone.’
It was obvious the situation was upsetting her. I glanced up at the hospital tower block and wondered what was going on in Don’s head. What was he so scared of? It wasn’t the Don I knew.
‘What have you been doing?’ Sarah asked me.
I told her about what I’d seen at the restaurant. ‘I’m going to have to speak to Neil Farr about it.’ I shuffled in my seat. ‘I’ve also found out who the cigarettes belong to.’
‘Who?’
‘George Sutherland. I met him earlier and told him I’d take the debt on.’
‘That’s a big commitment.’
She was genuinely surprised by my news. But what else could I do? It wasn’t Niall’s world. He had a family to think of. I didn’t mention the amount of money involved.
I dropped Sarah off outside her house. Niall had left a message on my voicemail. He was asking me for an update, but I could tell he just wanted to talk. I called back and asked him where he was. He said he was at Victoria Pier. I knew it well. I headed straight there and found him stood by himself, staring out at the brown water of the River Humber. I locked up and made my way over to him. It was early evening and cold. I zipped my coat up
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