Page 131 of Maybe Tomorrow

‘Still in South Shields?’

‘Yes.’

‘Are you… I mean, is there… are you with anyone?’

It was a while before Geoff replied. ‘Yes. Lisa. We’ve been together about three years.’

‘Oh. Good. I’m glad.’

‘How about you?’

‘No. I’m on my own. Well, I mean I’m single.’

‘Oh.’

Again, the dark silence grew.

‘I still think about you, Judi.’

‘We have a lot of history.’

‘We do. Some good times.’

‘Lots of good times.’

‘Remember when we were watchingOpportunity Knocksand there was that man on doing an impression of Shirley Bassey and Alice got up and started doing one? She had the expressions, andthe hand movements spot on,’ Geoff said, laughter in his voice.

Judith laughed. She often spent many an empty evening remembering the good times. That particular memory had eluded her. She laughed as she was taken back to that Saturday night in winter, sitting in front of the television with the curtains drawn and the fire on. Alice jumped up from the sofa and began singing ‘Goldfinger’. Judith had almost wet herself laughing.

‘I remember,’ she said. ‘I had tears streaming down my face.’

‘She did a good Cilla Black, too.’

‘She had a good ear for voices,’ Judith said with a big smile. She looked over to the sideboard at the far side of the room where several framed photos of Alice were on display. The smile gave way to tears. ‘I miss her.’

‘I do, too.’

‘I don’t think I can go through all this again; a new investigation.’

‘I’m here for you, Judi. Any time,’ Geoff said.

She wiped her eyes. ‘I’m going to get off, Geoff. I’m due at work soon.’

‘Oh. OK. Can I call you again?’

‘Yes. I’d like that.’

‘Me too. I’ll call you at the weekend.’

‘All right,’ she smiled. ‘Bye Geoff.’

‘Bye Judi.’

Judith ended the call. She placed the receiver back on the phone and sat back. She looked at the television. The news had turned to a different story, something political which didn’t interest Judith in the slightest.

She took a deep breath and sighed. She had no idea what was going to happen next. She only wished the pain would go away.

ChapterFifty-Nine