Frozen Grave

Chapter 58

At the hospital, Detective Constable Zoe Blackman looked at the time – it was 9 p.m. She went to the vending machine in the hallway for some chocolate.

She was halfway back along the corridor when she noticed that the louvre blinds to Toffee’s window were closed. She couldn’t see him. She dropped the chocolate and ran the last few paces. As she opened the door she saw Simon’s back to her as he leant over Toffee. He was holding something over Toffee’s face.

‘Simon?’ He didn’t look at her. He stayed leaning over Toffee. Everything about the way his shoulders were hunched and the tension in his neck told her that something was wrong.

‘Simon, step away from the bed, please.’

Zoe took a few steps to come level with him and she reached out to hold his arm. She looked at Simon’s face. He’d been crying. Toffee’s eyes were open and staring at him.

‘Sorry – I was just helping him get a drink.’

Zoe could tell they’d been talking.

‘Toffee?’ She looked at his face. He blinked.

‘Yes…’ His voice was croaky and it came out as a whisper.

‘Is everything all right in here? Is Simon bothering you?’

Toffee didn’t answer.

‘I only wanted to say something to him, that’s all.’ Simon took a step back from the bed.

‘What? What did you want to say to him?’

He didn’t answer. Toffee’s machines began squealing and within ten minutes he was pronounced dead.