“How about I ask a colleague to find out what’s going on? Go in to speak to her if necessary? Which station is she at?”
At last, Hannah could relax. “Leeds Central.” Hannah gave him a pointed look. “Not some trainee though.”
Carl smiled at what he clearly saw as her cheek.
“I mean it, Carl. I want a proper lawyer involved. Someone who knows what they’re doing.”
Finally, the man relented. “Okay, okay. Let me see what I can do.”
“Thank you. Oh, and her partner Quentin needs assistance too.”
Carl’s smile turned to a laugh. “You’re not asking for much, are you.” His finger hovered ready to end the call.
“Before you go,” Hannah said.
Carl paused to listen.
“I really am pleased for you. For both of you.”
Carl’s expression softened. “I’ll be in touch.”
CHAPTER37
Following Liv’s breaking news, Hannah’s initial reaction had been to cancel that night’s team bonding event. With her friend incarcerated in a police cell, Hannah certainly didn’t have much of an appetite. But like Aunt Dorothy pointed out, Mel was looking forward to everyone meeting Russel, and Russel was probably already on a train and making his way up from the Midlands.
Of course, Hannah knew that left her feeling bad whether she cancelled or not, and in the end, she supposed she had no choice but to trust that Carl’s colleague would come through and that Liv would be released as a matter of course.
With her hair straightened and pulled tight into a slick-look ponytail, Hannah checked out her reflection in her full-length floor mirror. She almost didn’t recognise herself in the red and white floral brocade cocktail dress that Dorothy had insisted she buy. Of course, that meant getting shoes to go with it. Between them, they’d certainly shopped until they dropped following their lunch with Mel and Liv earlier that week.
Hannah twisted first one way and then the other, taking in the V-neckline that paralleled the V at the back. Its bodice was fitted, and its skirt flared showing off her streamlined waist perfectly. Hannah didn’t know if she’d still be wearing the new ankle strapped heels come the end of the evening. But she was certainly starting it with style.
She thought back to when Beth had suggested Hannah wouldn’t like the South of France because of its high-end glamour. “If you could see me now.”
Reaching for her phone off the bedside table, Hannah’s glee faded. Carl hadn’t just kept his word; he’d surprised Hannah with a call-back to update her on what was happening. Carl had been at pains to reassure Hannah that his colleague was on it and Liv’s arrest would come to nothing. But despite wanting to believe him, Hannah had yet to hear from Liv.
Hannah filled her cheeks with air and slowly exhaled. She told herself to stop worrying because for all she knew, Liv and Quentin could have already been released. At that very moment they could be racing home from the police station to change ready for the evening ahead. And by the time Hannah and Dorothy got to the restaurant, the two arrestees could be there waiting.
Refusing to be anything but positive, Hannah headed downstairs. She didn’t have a clue how to properly walk in her heels and careful not to fall, she gripped the banister as she went. She paused in the kitchen doorway at the sight of Dorothy talking to Denis’s urn.
“So what do you think?” Dorothy asked.
Hannah’s heart melted. She was sure if he’d been there in person, Uncle Denis would have showered her aunt in compliments. Dorothy looked fabulous in her layered chiffon trouser suit. It’s scoop neckline top with half-sleeves cascaded over a pair of wide-legged pants.
Dorothy began to twirl to show the urn her outfit from all angles, abruptly stopping halfway through when she clocked Hannah stood there watching.
“Don’t we make a gorgeous pair,” Hannah said with a big smile.
Dorothy put a hand to her chest as she looked back at Hannah. “We most certainly do.” Her expression turned to one of concern. “Has Liv been in touch?”
Hannah shook her head. “Not yet.”
“You know what they say; no news is good news.”
Hannah hoped her aunt was right.
A car horn beeped, and Dorothy swung into action. “That’ll be the taxi.” She glanced around. “Now, where’s my handbag?”
As she and Dorothy made their way outside, handbag found, Hannah locked the door behind them. She felt self-conscious as she tootled behind Dorothy and climbed into the car, forced to wonder if her shoes had been such a good idea after all. Having already twisted her ankle once and with a race to run the following week, the last thing Hannah needed was another injury.
