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Smiths ‘Girlfriend in a Coma’ from the latest
X Factor
winner.
    Erasmus hit answer.
    ‘Hi Daddy,’ said Abby.
    ‘Hey sweetheart, I'm sorry I missed your class today. I was caught up in work.’
    ‘I didn't get a chance to do it, Daddy. The teachers sent us home. Mum had to come and pick me up with Jeff.’
    Erasmus felt sick. Jeff was a name he didn't know. He took a deep breath.
    ‘Daddy, what's a scab?’
    He decided to duck the ‘scab’ conversation. ‘I'll tell you when I see you, better yet, ask your mum. By the way, honey, can you put your mum on?’
    ‘OK, Daddy, I love you! Are you still not smoking?’
    Her anxiety for him caused Erasmus’ stomach to churn. She shouldn't have to worry about him.
    ‘Honey, of course. I made you a promise and you know what they are?’
    There was a pause.
    ‘I remember. It's the most important thing in the world. Mum, Dad wants to speak to you!’
    ‘Love you, Abby,’ he replied to an empty line.
    The phone crackled as it was passed from daughter to mother.
    ‘Erasmus.’
    Miranda's tone of voice was one that Erasmus had filed under ‘Disappointment’. It was a resigned and frustrated tone that had not appeared in their marriage until after he returned from Afghanistan. She had plenty to be disappointed about. The word ‘irresponsible’ was repeated over and over. She had a point and Erasmus had been prepared to let her vent but there was a ‘Jeff’ in the equation now.
    ‘Why was your phone switched off?’
    An image of Jenna popped into Erasmus’ head. He dismissed it. ‘The battery was dead and I had a meeting with a client. And what's so important that you can't get away?’
    ‘Patients. You know I was lucky to get a job with the breaks in my CV. I can't let people down.’
    ‘Yeah me too especially in a place two hundred miles away from home.’ A cheap shot that made Erasmus wince even as he said it. They both knew why she had moved north.
    ‘Look, we need to keep things as normal as possible. Liverpool represents a new start for all of us, including you.’
    ‘You chose to come here. I only came to be near Abby!’ Even as he was shouting he hated himself, he knew how petulant it all sounded but he couldn't stop.
    Miranda sighed. ‘Look, just try and keep your phone switched on. The two of us have to look after Abby.’
    He knew he was going to say it, knew it wouldn't help, but he couldn't stop himself. ‘Aren't you forgetting to count Jeff.’ He spat out the name.
    There was a catch in her voice when she responded and for a second Erasmus thought that Miranda was going to cry.
    ‘Jeff's not important.’
    ‘Except when you're fucking him.’
    ‘Goodbye, Erasmus.’
    The line went dead.
    Erasmus banged his mobile phone on the dining table repeatedly. ‘Shit, shit, shit!’

CHAPTER 6
    Across the city, on the steps of the town hall, Mayor Lynch stubbed out his cigarette and then popped a mint into his mouth. He had promised his wife Daphne that he would give up once in office, but, like many of his election promises, it was proving harder to deliver than promise.
    The Mayor hesitated before opening the service door that led back into the council offices. He didn't want to have to make the decision that was waiting for him inside. He looked up into the cold blue skies as though hoping for inspiration. None was forthcoming.
    ‘Sod it,’ he said to nobody.
    He opened the door and stepped back into the building. When he reached the antechamber outside his office he noticed that his door stood ajar. Andrea, his PA, was standing outside looking flustered.
    ‘I told them you weren't in but Anthony was with them and said it was fine. I told him that they should wait out here but you know Anthony. I'm sorry Mayor Lynch.’
    He gave her wrist a sympathetic squeeze. ‘Don't worry, you did the right thing. I told Anthony to take them straight in.’
    He had told him no such thing and he felt a wave of angry blood break across his cheeks. He pushed