Chapter 6

Anthony smiled. Edith thought she would melt inside. She hadn't realised just how much she had missed that lopsided grin.

Tom waved to Anthony who raised his good left hand.

Edith could not hold back any longer. She ran along the corridor and threw her arms around Anthony. He drew her to him with his good arm, holding her tightly. They both had tears in their eyes.

"I never loved him, Anthony," she breathed, "I was just trying to move on and make do."

"Edith darling, I am just so very sorry." He said softly. "I took account of everyone's opinion but yours, which was the most important. I didn't think I deserved you and failed to recognise what I truly wanted when it was right in front of me. I would be happy to spend the rest of my life making it up to you."

"Someone tried to kill Michael Gregson this evening." Edith whispered. "I think it was his wife. They called me because the only number they could find on his person was mine."

"That guy up there looks like a younger more whole version of me," Anthony breathed, "Who is he?"

"He's Detective Inspector Lyle," Edith said, "He is here to talk to Michael when, or if, he wakes up."

"It would have served me right if you had married him." Anthony said, his blue eyes filling with tears.

Edith pressed close to Anthony, acutely aware of the pounding of her own heart and his warm breath on her neck.

""Did you ever hate me for what I did that day?" He asked, "I understand if you did although no one could hate me more than I hated myself and despised my own cowardice. I should have stood up for you, for us, and I didn't. Hardly the action of war hero."

"I really hate to disturb you." Sybil said, "But DI Lyle says it's okay for us to go but he wants your number in case something happens."

"What could happen, Lady Sybil?" Anthony asked.

Sybil shrugged. "I have no idea. Mrs Gregson might turn herself in because she probably thinks she succeeded in killing him. Or he might recover consciousness and tell DI Lyle everything."

"Give him my mobile number," Edith said, "I doubt I will be at work tomorrow because I want to spend some time with Anthony."

"Alright." Sybil went back to DI Lyle.

Tom came over.

"Sybil and I will make ourselves scarce tomorrow so you two can spend much needed time together, we could even go to a hotel tonight."

"No, it's late and I'm sure Edith needs to sleep." Anthony said.

"Besides I wouldn't be able to resist Anthony if we were left alone," Edith smiled her first genuine smile of the day.

They said goodnight to DI Lyle. One of his CID colleagues had shown up with coffee. He introduced Edith.

"Lady Edith, this is my colleague , DS Redfern. It looks like we drew the short straw for an all-nighter but it is unlikely I will need to trouble you again."

Edith introduced Anthony.

Lyle smiled.

"It's rare I come across a man as tall as me, much less one who also looks like me." He said.

"Sybil, Tom and I thought you were Anthony when we first saw you." Edith said, "Until we realised you were younger and could use both arms."

"What happened to your arm, Sir Anthony?" DI Lyle asked.

"I took a bullet in Helmand, where I was with Army intelligence." Anthony said. "They don't think they could remove it intact which would leave me open to risk of septicaemia. I've had god alone knows how many scans and x-rays. Lady Edith was prepared to marry me despite this but I was stupid enough not to listen."

"My ex wife, Sarah, never listened to me either." DI Lyle said.

"So do you think it was Mrs Gregson?" Anthony asked.

"All the signs are pointing that way, Sir Anthony." Lyle said, "We need to wait and see if he wakes up. If he dies she's looking at murder."

OO

Tom, Sybil, Anthony and Edith walked back to Edith's flat. It was starting to rain quite heavily. Edith swallowed, she did not want to let Anthony out of her sight so soon.

"Come in and stay," She said as her eyes implored. "There's plenty of room. Sybil and Tom have the guest bedroom of course but there is a sofa bed which we can put up for you in an instant."

"Thank you," Anthony breathed, "You can trust me to leave you unmolested."

"That' s a shame." Edith teased.

He came in with them and Tom made cocoa. They flicked through the TV channels but there was nothing on worth watching so Sybil flicked the off button.

Edith sat very close to Anthony on the sofa and he slipped his good arm around her. Sybil and Tom pretended not to notice this.

"I think it's time we were abed." Sybil said, winking at Edith and nudging Tom.

"Please don't mess it up this time." Tom said.

"I promise I will get it right this time Tom. "These last few months without Edith have been pure unadulterated hell." Anthony said as Sybil and Tom went out into the hallway and down to the guest room they had been sharing.

Edith rested her head on his shoulder.

"Anthony, I don't want you to apologise for anything," she placed her finger on his lips when he tried to protest, "our own choices led us to this time and must remain in the past now. I love you, more than I could ever love anyone. I have always loved you because you allow me to be myself and because you're interested in me as a person. I need you and I have missed you so much it hurt."

Anthony felt his heart skip a beat. Had she really just said those words that he longed to hear from her lips?

"I love you too, Edith," He said gently. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, wherever you want to be."

"I want to be at Locksley with you." She whispered.