Barnes relaxed slightly. ‘Oh good, I’m glad. So your dad and his family, weren’t they around?’
At this Chelsea rolled her eyes. ‘Dear God no… and I’m so grateful for that because I dread to think how I’d have turned out if they’d put up a fight and won. I’m not being snobbish because if they’d loved me then I’d have loved them back, but from what I know they didn’t care a fig about my mum, and my natural father was a criminal who treated her terribly. He overdosed about a year after mum died, not out of remorse or anything – he was just a junkie.
‘My adoptive parents were brilliant, still are. They gave me everything a child could wish for. Mum and Dad are doctors and I was privately educated, so no need to worry. I can see it in your face that you thought I was going to tell you a horror story.’
Smiling, Barnes put the car in gear. He liked Chelsea and yes, he felt a strange connection to her because of what happened to her mum. No doubt because it was his first big case the memories of it had remained with him, even though he’d played a minor role. Nevertheless, they had shared history and it somehow made him feel protective of her. Kind of proud too, that the tearful, frightened little girl from a less than ideal background who’d lost her mum in the worst way, had made good.
‘So don’t you see your paternal family at all, just Dennis on your mum’s side?’ He felt more comfortable asking questions now.
‘No, I’ve never met them. I don’t know where they live and wouldn’t recognise them if they passed me on the street. Not that I care. After Mum was killed Granddad went into a massive decline and I don’t think he was deemed suitable, but he was devastated when I was put up for adoption and asked if he could have some kind of contact. At least he sent me cards and presents for my birthday. He never forgot once, and I always got a huge egg at Easter.’
When he glanced over Barnes noticed her wistful look as she twisted her hair around long delicate fingers, smiling while she spoke of her granddad.
‘My parents made sure I kept in touch via notes and cards, they sent him drawings and stuff, school reports and photos. The social worker said it was important that I understood my roots and kept my identity, but it was only out of stubborn teenage curiosity that I eventually asked to see him. I only reconnected with Granddad when I was fifteen and I was able to travel about a bit by myself. We had zero face-to-face contact until then. I dug my heels in and insisted I saw him. He was part of my memories and I remembered visiting with Mum. He’s my only connection to her and I like being with him even though he’s a grumpy old so-and-so.’
Again, Barnes was taken aback by Chelsea’s honesty and determination. ‘Well, I’m sure your mum will be really proud of everything you’ve achieved and how her daughter has turned out.’
‘I did find it hard sometimes, being amongst children from wealthy families and often felt like I was the odd one out. People can be cruel, you know, especially when they find out you are different from them so there were periods when I struggled, was a bit of a loner but my parents were always there to help me through.’
‘They sound like great people. So what made you choose nursing as a career? Did your parents not want you to follow them into medicine?’
Chelsea answered immediately, her voice eager and animated. ‘My parents support me whatever I do, that’s why I love them but it was Mum – Abby – who inspired me. One of my best memories is of us playing nurses. I had one of those cases with plastic equipment in, and a nurse’s outfit. We would pretend she was poorly and I’d look after her. She gave it to me on my sixth birthday and I remember her telling me she’d always wanted to be a nurse so now, I feel like her spirit and energy and dreams are being lived through me. Does that seem weird? I’ve never actually told anyone that before, apart from my parents, and saying it out loud makes me sound a bit potty.’
Barnes swallowed down what he could only describe as emotion, then told himself to get a grip because he was going soft. ‘No, it’s not weird at all and I’m very honoured you shared that with me… and hold on to your dreams, Chelsea, because you’re actually making them come true and not a lot of people can say that.’
Chelsea smiled, one that lit up her face. ‘Do you think so? It’s driven me on, while I was at school and doing my exams. I didn’t mind being a loner because I enjoyed studying hard and being focused on a goal. I didn’t want to waste the opportunity I’d been given because if she’d had the chance, I know Mum would have been the best nurse in the world. I’m determined to make something out of my life, for Mum’s sake because her life and dreams were taken away.’
There it was, the dreadful truth. ‘Well you’re making a great start, Chelsea, you really are. And I’m glad you’re not bitter because it can eat you up, like it has your granddad.’
Chelsea made no comment. The traffic was flowing freely now and with her next sentence, Barnes suspected Chelsea’s thoughts were doing similar.
‘He won’t even go to the cemetery, you know, to see Mum and my grandma, who’s buried right next to her.’
Barnes said the first thing that came into his head. ‘Some people deal with death differently and can’t face things like that.’
‘Mmm, but it’s a lovely spot. Right at the top of a hill and you can see for miles. And he’s never seen the memorial bench either. Someone paid for it anonymously, like the flowers that turn up on the anniversary of her death.’
This piqued Darren’s curiosity. ‘So you’ve no idea who it is?’
‘No, it’s a mystery but a rather nice one, don’t you think?’
‘I do, and it shows there are some good people in the world. That’s how I’d look at it.’
Chelsea agreed. ‘It makes you wonder, doesn’t it, especially what’s happened in Elkdale. Like that girl who was killed: she was one of the ones who identified Dunne, the man who murdered Mum, is that right?’
‘Yes, Scarlet Jones.’
‘Do you know who did it yet?’
‘No, not yet but it’s looking like a burglary that went very wrong. She probably disturbed someone who was in her house. That the killer improvised and didn’t take a weapon with them suggests they hadn’t expected the victim to return and then panicked. Hopefully we’ll catch whoever it was soon.’
‘Mmm.’ Chelsea looked thoughtful.
‘Your granddad wasn’t one of her greatest fans but if you’re worried that he might be a suspect don’t: he has a cast-iron alibi because of the fire.’
‘I’m not worried, and Granddad might be a loose cannon but he’s not a killer. And anyway, why wait until now when he’s been ranting on about them for years? I just feel sad for her and her family because I know what it’s like to lose someone, and she was only young. Older than Mum but still, she had her life in front of her and now it’s been taken away.’
Barnes was curious so pressed his earlier point. ‘So you don’t feel the same bitterness towards them as your granddad does?’
