Sweet Peas in April by Clare Revell Read Free Book Online

minute.” He waited until she sat on one of the orange chairs, and then went over to the desk. He exchanged a few words with the custody sergeant and then came back across to her. “You weren’t arrested for aiding and abetting a possible DUI. That isn’t a crime here. You were arrested for obstructing the police as they arrested Peter. The custody sergeant says as you have no previous convictions and as it’s a relatively minor offence, he is willing to caution you for obstructing a police officer.”
    “I did get in the way. I don’t know what came over me. They just hauled Peter out of the car, ‘breathalysed’ him, and slapped cuffs on…” She rubbed her wrists.
    “It’s fairly common. Something happens, tempers get frayed, situations get out of control, and the best way for the police to calm the situation is simply to arrest everyone. I suggest you accept the caution and we can get out of here.”
    After what could only be described as the most humiliating hour and a half of her life, Sam signed for her possessions and walked out of the custody area with Adam. “What about Peter?”
    “He’s four times over the legal limit. There’s no case for him to answer and try to plead out of. It’s pretty straight forward.” Adam opened the door and guided her outside.
    She gratefully went out into the warm spring air and sucked in a deep breath. “What will happen to him?”
    “He’ll get prosecuted for being drunk and in charge of a motor vehicle. He’ll end up with a fine and be disqualified for minimum of twelve months—longer if he’s been banned before. But it’s no more than he deserves. Let’s get you home.”
    “I only had one drink,” she insisted. “I should go back to work.”
    “You shouldn’t have had any.”
    She scowled. “Who do you think you are? My mother?”
    “Your lawyer,” he remonstrated sharply. “Do you make a habit of drinking at lunch?”
    “I don’t drink at all. Peter insisted I have one. He said we can’t go to Lancini’s and stick to water or juice. I haven’t drunk in years, not since…” She paused, taking a deep breath. She didn’t want to upset him again. “Actually, not since you left.”
    Adam opened his car door for her. “Oh?”
    “Long story.” She slid into the car and did up her belt.
    Adam ran around the other side and got in. He stared at her. “Go on.”
    She looked down at her nails. She wasn’t proud of this part of her life, but she’d brought it up. “The night you left, I got sooooo drunk. I figured, why not? I’d lost everything. You, Immy, my family, parents, friends. So I went and bought a bottle of vodka, got smashed, and took a whole load of pills.”
    The admission was worth it for the look of shock and horror on his face. His eyes widened. “You did what ? Where did you get the pills?”
    “The ones they gave me to help me sleep after Immy died, remember?”
    He nodded slowly. He started the car, gripping the wheel hard enough to turn his fingers white.
    Sam swallowed. Tears burned her eyes. “I woke with the worst hangover known to man.” She pushed back into the seat. “I can’t even kill myself right. Lousy parent, rubbish wife, and a total failure.”
    Adam pulled away from the parking space. “You’re drunk. That’s why you’re talking this way.”
    “Am not,” she whispered. “If I was, I wouldn’t feel the way I do now.” She let the tears fall, turning her face to the window. Adam hadn’t refuted anything she’d said, therefore he must agree with her.
    He drove silently, finally pulling up outside a house she didn’t recognize.
    “This isn’t my place.” She wiped her face on her sleeve.
    “No, it’s mine. I’m going to make you some coffee. I also want to change out of my suit.”
    She followed him up the path and into what was obviously a bachelor pad. Drab and dull with none of the little touches that made a house a home. “Do you bring many women back here?” she called.
    “No,”