Chapter 68
Chapter Sixty-Eight
Jennifer had been discharged from hospital, but while her babies were still recovering from their premature birth, she was staying in a special family room at Whitby Community Hospital. That’s where Freya found her sitting in a comfortable chair, nursing the twins.
‘You look so cosy,’ Freya said.
Jennifer looked up and smiled. ‘Looking at these two, I don’t know why I didn’t do this years ago and have a dozen of them.’
‘Wow, those painkillers you’re on must be strong.’
Jennifer smiled. ‘I’ve been told we can go home towards the end of the week.’
‘That’s wonderful news.’
‘I’m not sure I want to.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I feel so safe here. I’m not sure how I’m going to cope on my own at home with two babies and no nursing staff within a few feet.’
‘We’ve already discussed this. Me and Chris are moving in for a couple of weeks until you’re settled and have a routine going on.’
‘I can’t thank you enough, Freya.’ She held out a hand for Freya to hold.
‘Jen—’ Freya began.
‘I know,’ she interrupted. ‘It was on the lunchtime news. He released a statement through his solicitor, pleading guilty, admitting to everything, including bribing that bastard Bishop. I didn’t even know they knew each other.’
‘They’d been feeding each other information for years, by all accounts,’ Freya said. ‘A crooked DI and a man on the council, they can do a lot for each other.’
‘And Malcolm always spoke about how he hated corruption,’ Jennifer said, shaking her head. ‘Unbelievable.’
‘The press is all over this,’ Freya said.
‘Of course they are. They love nothing more than seeing a politician fall from grace with a massive thud. Malcolm was the golden boy of politics. John Major is no match against Tony Blair when it comes to the election in ’97.
Malcolm was going to be the Tories’ secret weapon.
He’s basically gifting Labour a landslide victory. ’
‘There’s something else,’ Freya said.
Jennifer looked up to her. ‘I really don’t think I can take any more. Fortunately, these painkillers are numbing a large part of me. Go on.’
‘We’re looking into the fire that killed Bishop. Malcolm has said a few things in the interviews about Bishop asking for bigger favours once Malcolm was Home Secretary. He’s said he was looking for a way out. We think the fire at Bishop’s home might have been started deliberately.’
‘Oh, Jesus Christ, no,’ Jennifer cried.
Freya moved to sit next to her. She wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders.
‘How do you feel?’
‘Sick. Betrayed. How can I go on with my job, with the charity, after discovering I was married to a killer? He’s ruined everything, Freya.’
‘Nobody is blaming you.’
‘I’m blaming myself.’
‘Well, you shouldn’t.’
‘He’s done a lot of damage.’
‘He has. And he’ll get what he deserves,’ Freya said. ‘He’s going to be in prison for a very long time.’
‘Good.’
‘Will you go and see him?’
‘In prison? Not bloody likely. Would you?’
‘No. I don’t think I would.’
‘I want nothing more to do with him. He’s certainly not having anything to do with these two.’
‘Have you decided on names?’
‘I’m calling this one James, after my dad,’ she said, indicating the baby in her right arm. ‘And this one,’ she said, nodding to the left, ‘I’m going to name Anthony.’
Freya smiled. ‘Oh, that’s lovely. I think he’ll like that.’ Freya stroked the cheek of baby Anthony and smiled.
‘I’ve heard from Pauline a few times. I’ve said I’ll pop over and see her some time in the new year. How are they doing? How’s Anthony?’
‘Pauline and Leo are fine. Anthony’s … struggling.’
‘In what way?’
‘His mental health wasn’t good to begin with. He’s on more medication than I expected him to be on for anxiety and to help with his nightmares and flashbacks. He can’t seem to come to terms with why someone would allow someone else to go to prison for something they haven’t done.’
‘He’s not the only one. I told Malcolm everything that was going on with Anthony and he just sat there and took it all in, and he could have stopped it. I’ll never forgive him for that.’
‘Right, well,’ Freya said, standing up. ‘Chris said he’ll pop round to yours with some shopping, so I’d better give him his instructions if you’re coming home at the weekend.’
‘Thank you so much. I don’t know where I’d be without you both,’ she smiled sweetly.
‘I’ll come back tomorrow after work.’
Freya left, leaving Jennifer on her own with the twins.
She looked down at them. She was going to have to get used to being on her own, a single mother with two children.
It wasn’t what she’d planned for her future, but it was manageable.
If Anthony could survive being locked up for ten years for a crime he didn’t commit, she could raise twins by herself.
‘Piece of cake,’ she told herself.