Angel Of The Morning

Chapter 3 - Suspense

Beth had visited Ava alone at Peters apartment that morning. It had been a last minute arrangement from a private phone call that woke her from a deep sleep.
'I can't stop Ava, but I will arrange another meeting with you soon.' It wasn't the first time that Beth had implied distraction, almost evading the subject matter, but Ava assumed she was abhorrent stressed by her work, and eager to keep unclassified truths to herself.
Ava's vogue undistinct stare had anyhow ventured spiralling downward from the level of the obsecure police officers face.
The papers presented for her to eqip herself with were an unsteady visual of white blur in her lap. When she broke, and quickly caught Beth's expression, she saw her widely lit stare baring a stark cross between sympathy and concern. 'Have you sought support, Ava?'
She turned her head to the side with a blank smile 'No.'
'He will kill again, Ava. Is there anything you can think of that might help us?'
Beth was clutching within her distraction, Ava could see, though she dressed it well with stern professionalism.
Ava couldn't believe she had only remembered it now. The jumper. She hated the fact that she had taken it and not had the stomach to return it. It was a heavy wool knit, clearly not a cheap garment, but what did that matter four years later? Until now, when it did.

'I'll have a think.' Ava advised, unclear about her impulsive to feign from truth in that breaking second.

Ava stared all morning at its unblemished white pages, bound in plastic transparant casing, carefully compact and unfrayed at the edges. The last thing she imagined herself wanting to do was read about the explicit detailed murders of her former lover, but there it was, bound in unmistakable black and white print. It fuelled excitement through intruige, and she was content to allow it to sit on the sofas arm in suspense of her entry until Violet began to claw perilously at the plastic casing as Avas back was turned to make coffee and breakfast for them both. She stashed it in one of the wall cupboards behind the sofa, and sat in beguiled relief amidst the dissemble cushions.

Ava treasured time alone in her small flat, which sat in coordance with two others, all above and part of a four hundred years old building.

It was low beamed with crooked floorboards, smelt of old fireplace soot and had narrow views through tudor window pains of the York Minster. Beneath the boards, a constant murmuring of vibrations almost never broke. The true payment of living within affordability within the city centre. She often missed the country, and the release of creativity the open wood air gave to her hand against a clear crisp page. So long it had been since she'd had true time to write, abd her heart yearned for a moment or two, but had solidified to a reality where it was a foreground stored priority.

Work.
The only writing qualifyable of justification was her rota, which was already late. Late because she had attempted twice to complete it abd been utterly incapable of concentration. If she threw caution and simply published it, it would be a mess, and she could hear the complaints.

HERE

A night away from Peter for the first time since she explained her police situation was discomforting, but required. The rota seemed unusually complicit to deliver, and when at last she submitted the finished article, she noticed it had been deleted off the system. She submitted it again, but it was rejected.

Violets babysitter Charlotte arrived at 6pm, and Ava left for work. It would be light outside for some time, but the thought of the walk home seemed like a task, despite the streetlights.

During work she noticed the part owner Tracey was in, but she avoided Ava amidst the business of the restaurant. At one point after Ava had placed a set of meals down on the table, she approached her, took her wrist and asked her if everything was okay.

'Yes, yes of course.' She answered, realizing how unconvincing she sounded. 'Violets been up with nightmares, so ive had little sleep.'

'Is that all, love?' Tracey looked wide eyed and sympathetic. 'I noticed you didn't attend the work party the other week. Was Charlotte not available?'