The Escape

Chapter twelve

The police arrived at Barry Marsden’s home address on a run-down estate in Peckham, South London, but no one was there. They also called on two relatives who appeared not to care and said they had not seen him in years. As the solicitor had suggested, they also began to check the fast-food joints near the courthouse and his local shopping centre, but without success.

One hour later, Colin arrived at the hospital and at once spoke to the receptionist. Checking Karen’s name on the computer, she asked who he was. Colin, fearing the prison or police might call the hospital, said he was her brother. She told him that Karen was in the maternity ward on the third floor. He pressed for the lift but, when it didn’t come immediately, he was so impatient that he ran up the three flights of stairs. Excited and out of breath, he took a while to explain to a nurse that he was Karen’s husband and he’d rushed over from his work. The nurse checked her clipboard and smiled.

‘You are in luck, Mr Burrows. She’s in labour but the baby’s not arrived yet. She’s just been taken to the delivery room.’

The nurse took Colin to the delivery wing, where she spoke to a rather plump senior nurse who handed him a gown and mask.

‘She will be pleased to see you. Your wife is quite a feisty young lady and she’s getting impatient, but she’s not dilated enough yet. It shouldn’t be long though. Try and help calm her down.’

Colin’s heart was pounding as he was led towards the delivery room. Suddenly he heard a woman screaming and he knew it was Karen. He stopped for a minute to take a few deep breaths, and then walked through the double doors.

Karen was wearing a soft protective bath hat over her long blonde hair and a hospital gown. He could hardly see anything except her feet, which were in stirrups, and the bulge of her tummy. Her mother was sitting sweating beside her, and Karen was gripping her hand so tightly she was half out of the chair. At first, her mother didn’t recognise Colin because he had the mask on, but then she let out a shriek, shouting out his name.

‘Colin! It’s Colin. He’s here, Karen.’

Karen tried to raise her head, but let out another scream and flopped back as she was having such a painful contraction.

Colin took her mother’s chair and leaned in close, taking her hand.

‘Karen, it’s me, my darling. I’m here for you and our baby.’

She was screaming and panting hard, and yet so pleased to see him that she started to cry.

‘They released me so I could be with you,’ he lied, and bent in to kiss her forehead.

‘Come on, Karen, give a good push now. We’re nearly there.’ The doctor came forward and Karen’s face twisted with pain.

‘Deep breaths now, Karen, and one more big push,’ he said firmly.

She gave one last groan, a big heave and the next minute the baby boy arrived. The midwife quickly weighed and washed him, and then handed him to Karen, wrapped in a white sheet. Karen was by now propping herself up, holding out her arms, and Colin broke down in tears. They both wept, because it was such a wonderful moment. Their baby son was perfect in every way and they were overwhelmed with joy.

Colin had never felt such happiness and love. When Karen carefully passed the baby for him to hold in his arms, he thought his heart would burst with pride.

‘My God, Karen, he’s beautiful. He’s even got hair and look at his tiny fingers.’

As Karen’s mother watched them together, any bad feelings she had about her son-in-law vanished. Colin’s joy and tenderness were touching. His obvious love for Karen made her mother realise that they were a beautiful couple who deserved to be together. No matter what she thought about Colin being in prison, seeing him with her daughter and grandson meant that he was family. Her husband might not be quite so easily won over, but she’d talk to him at home.

Karen was wheeled back into the maternity ward. She was feeling very tired, but having Colin beside her made all the difference. She was so happy. Delighted with the healthy baby boy who was placed in a crib beside her bed, she smiled at her loving husband as he sat in the chair next to her.

‘I am so glad they agreed to let you be with me,’ she said, holding onto his hand.

‘Me, too, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.’

‘I love you, Colin.’

‘I love you, too, and Barry.’

She wrinkled her nose and asked if he still really wanted to call the baby Barry.

‘Maybe, a bit later, I’ll explain why, but please agree. Like I suggested before, his second name can be Justin.’

Colin stayed with Karen all afternoon. She slept for a couple of hours, and her mother went home. Her father arrived with a bouquet of flowers. He was not very friendly to Colin but, after seeing him proudly cradle his grandson, he too changed his mind. He said that he was glad that the prison authorities had allowed him out for the blessed event. He asked how long he would be able to stay with Karen before he had to return to Barfield.

Colin said that he had to go back after forty-eight hours, not even hinting that he had escaped. Although he had intended to tell Karen, there never seemed to be the right moment and he didn’t want to upset her. There would be time later to confess to her that he had actually absconded.