Chapter 51
FIFE
She sat in her car in the car park, now unsure if she wanted to do this. But if not now, then when? It was already early afternoon and time was skipping along.
She got out of her car and walked into reception. ‘I’d like to see my mum, please.’
The nurse at reception looked confused for a moment. ‘Who’s your mum?’
‘Margaret Wallace.’
‘Margaret? I didn’t know she has two daughters.’
‘Well, she does, and I’m one of them. Go and ask her if you don’t believe me. I’m Ruth. The young one.’
Then recognition crossed her face. ‘She talks about you, Ruth. Go upstairs. She should be in her room.’ She told her the number and Ruth walked up the stairs instead of taking the lift. It gave her more time to think.
Ruth stepped into the corridor and started heading towards the room when she suddenly stopped. Coming out of Margaret’s room was Laura. She recognised the features even though they had aged a lot. Laura stopped and looked at Ruth.
Ruth anticipated a confrontation, but Laura merely walked towards her, started crying, and then threw her arms around her.
‘Oh, Ruthie.’ She pushed herself away for a moment, then hugged Ruth tighter. Ruth hesitated before wrapping her arms around her foster sister and holding her closely.
They both cried and then separated. Ruth pulled out a small packet of tissues and took two out, handing one to Laura.
‘You know about Marcus, I assume?’ Laura said.
Ruth nodded.
‘When the police told us about there being a skeleton under the floorboards, I just had a feeling it was Marcus,’ Laura said.
‘I thought so too. My boyfriend is the one who told you about the skeleton. He’s the detective in charge.’
‘Really? Small world. Oh, Ruth, it’s so good to see you. I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,’ Laura said.
‘It’s been a long time, I admit.’ She felt her cheeks going red. ‘How’s Mum?’
Laura put out a hand and wiggled it back and forth. ‘Sometimes she seems like she’s thirty years younger, and there are days when she gets confused a bit. But generally, she’s fine. I take it you’re here to see her?’
‘That was the idea, but now I’m not so sure.’
‘Oh, why? She would love to see you.’
‘I don’t think she will like what I have to say, Laura.’
‘What is it?’
Ruth looked at her. ‘I know who killed Marcus.’