“Shit,” I cursed. Feeling the sting, I watched as a mesmerising crimson line appeared upon my hand. The doorbell rang again, more urgently this time, and then there was the sound of fists against the door.
“Coming,” I yelled, my voice croaking, hoarse as if I’d been at a football match… or screaming as if I’d been raped, a bitter voice in my head said.
Quickly, I wrapped a tea towel around my hand and made my way to the door.
Through the mottled privacy glass of the front door I could see two shadows on the other side. Unsolicited salesmen, no doubt coming to sell me triple glazing, or what was the new thing nowadays? Solar panels for the roof.
I used my uninjured hand to open the door and greeted the two men with a polite smile.
“Mrs Sara Chambers?” one of them asked.
Confused, the forced smile slipping from my face as I took in their official uniforms. “Yes? Is everything OK?”
The young bearded police officer ignored my question and continued with the script he’d probably spent time rehearsing in the squad car on their way over here. “Is your husband Eric Chambers?”
I nodded as my hands began to shake. “Yes, he is.” My heartbeat picked up, and my stomach began to churn. “What’s happened?” I asked the young officer, trying to the keep the quaver of my voice steady as I urged him to stop stalling, to get to the point. The moment I opened the door I already knew why they were here. The neighbours had obviously overheard my muffled screams, put a call in. I silently cursed them. It was between Eric and me; it was our business, no one else’s. Looking back at the officers I wondered if they’d arrested Eric, detained him perhaps?
The silent officer stepped closer, his foot on top of the concrete stoop, his hand providing a comforting touch, as his partner delivered his final line. He was a little older than the one speaking, obviously giving the lead to the youngster so he could get some experience in, I thought.
“I regret to inform you that Mr Chambers was in a car accident, Mrs Chambers.”
I looked from one to the other, unbelieving, their eyes waiting for my reaction.
“What? You mean you haven’t arrested him?” I said in disbelief.
“Why would we arrest you husband, Ma’am?”
I shook my head trying to clear the confusion that was building. “He’s only just left for work, he can’t have been in an accident.” Surely I hadn’t been asleep that long? He’d barely be on the dual carriageway by now. “No, you must have the wrong house, got the names mixed up…”
The police officer with his hand upon my upper arm shook his head slightly as his grey eyes tried to convey the truth. “There’s no mistake, Ma’am. Your husband was taken to Ashton Hospital, and I’m sorry to be the one to inform you, but I’m afraid he died en route. I’m so very sorry for your loss.”
My legs went from under me, and pain shot through my arm as one of the police officers reached for me. More bruises to add to the others, I thought. What was one more? I was already a black and blue canvas…
Strong, capable arms wrapped around me as I crumbled into a wail of sadness. Somewhere deep in my mind, I knew that the man was still speaking, consoling me. Yet none of the words penetrated the overwhelming emotions that were trying to smother me. My hand curled around the police officer’s vest, holding on.
“Is there anyone we can call for you?”
I was sitting on the couch again, Officer Pierce next to me, holding my uninjured hand. He and his bearded partner had introduced themselves after I’d calmed down, but I couldn’t remember the other man’s name. All I could think about was how nice Officer Pierce was to sit with me and reminded myself that I must thank him later for his kindness, even though I knew he was just doing his duty. He probably did this all the time, sick to death of consoling widows in shock.
“No, I’m OK. What happens now? I’ve never…”
I didn’t want to think about Eric, his body or what I was supposed to do with it, not right now, but I knew I had to keep it together. I couldn’t embarrass myself again today in front of these gentlemen—Eric would be so ashamed of me if I did.
Officer Pierce smiled. “We need to take you to the hospital.”
“OK, I’ll go get changed,” I said, nodding, as I suddenly realised I was still in my robe and no bra to speak of. Eric had told me to get changed, and I didn’t listen to him. Ashamed, heat rose upon my cheeks; they’d probably had a right eyeful, I thought. I pulled the gap to my robe closed as I got to my feet, all too aware that my cleavage had been on display.