Chapter 43 Ian
Ian
NOW
Ian swears as a tractor appears out of nowhere.
He brakes hard and almost skids into it because the ground is wet from the rain.
He has to reverse several metres to a lay-by to let the farmer past. Ian has lived in North Devon for most of his adult life, and he’s used to navigating his way along these narrow, tortuous lanes, bounded by tall hedges that conceal any oncoming traffic, including wily tractors.
He’s used to the rain – sure, it rains a lot in Derry, too.
But he needs to drive more slowly. Especially around these bends and especially in the pouring rain.
He needs to get to Crooked Oak Cottage in one piece or he’ll be of no use to the Ashfords at all.
Another car crash is the last thing anyone needs today.
The tractor passes, the farmer raising his hand in thanks.
Ian has already spoken to DC Ward – Gail.
She’s trying to find out more about the accident.
Jo couldn’t give him the make and model of Yvonne’s car when he asked her (she only knew it was an SUV), so Ian is clinging to the hope that his wife has misidentified the car that crashed on the link road, too.
It’s probably not Iris’s car at all, just as he told Ash.
It might even turn out to be a different colour, knowing Jo.
Until he has more info, he’s trying to think about something else (anything else) so that he doesn’t give in to paranoia.
North Devon, his family, Derry. He looks out of the window, all around him, trying to distract himself.
Cows in that field; two people walking their dog across another.
It’s not working. He’s stressed out; there’s no denying that.
He glances at the speedometer and eases up on the accelerator, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel.
He’s never needed a cigarette more in his life.
Christ, even a roll-up would do. How long is it going to take Gail to ring him back?
No sooner has he had that thought than his ringtone blares out through the car speakers. The caller ID comes up on the dashboard infotainment screen. He reaches out and taps the green button, far harder than necessary.
‘Hi, Ian,’ Gail says. ‘So, I’ve managed to contact an officer at the scene with the registration plate you gave me.’ She’s getting straight to the point, which Ian appreciates. ‘It’s a match for your goddaughter’s car, I’m afraid.’
Ian swears.
‘She wasn’t driving. It was a male driver.’
‘Yes,’ Ian says. ‘Her brother.’
‘Oh. Oh, dear God. I’ve got bad news, I’m afraid, Ian. The driver … um … lost his life in the accident. From what I’ve been told, he was dead before the ambulance got there. He was probably killed instantly in the crash.’
Ian doesn’t speak for several seconds. Gail says nothing for a moment either, clearly giving Ian a moment to digest that piece of information as best he can.
He knows she has tried to cushion it as best she can.
Olly is dead, but he didn’t suffer. But it’s impossible to sugar-coat something like this.
Eventually, Gail says, ‘I’m terribly sorry to have to be the one to tell you, Ian. I will let you know as soon as I have more information.’
‘Thank you, Gail,’ he manages.
He ends the call just as he arrives at Crooked Oak Cottage and pulls into the driveway.
How on earth is he going to break that news to the Ashfords?
He’ll have to witness them going through another ordeal, this one far worse than the previous one.
He doesn’t want to be the one to do it. Technically, it’s not his role.
But it will be better coming from him than some PC they’ve never met.
Or worse, the PC that Iris dislikes so much.
Ian sits in the car for a minute or two, putting off the moment for as long as possible.
Jo pulls into the driveway and parks behind him.
He has to start up the car again and inch forwards so she has enough space.
There are six vehicles parked in front of the house now – Carla’s, Ash’s and Daniel’s cars as well as his and Jo’s.
And a Ford Fiesta. Ian has no idea who it belongs to. Only Iris’s car is missing.
He and Jo don’t seem to have attracted the attention of anyone in the house, so, before they go inside, Ian tells Jo about his conversation with Gail. Jo goes white and Ian thinks her pallor must mirror his own.
When he can’t put it off any longer, he knocks and goes inside without waiting for someone to come and open the door. Jo follows him.