Written in the Scars (The Estate Series Book 4) by Mel Sherratt Read Free Book Online Page B

floor. The description I was given from the complainant matches Lewis so I though I’d check it out before the complainant went to the police.’
    ‘The police?’ Shock was clear in Laura’s eyes. ‘I can’t believe he’d do that. He’s always precious about how hard people work, and how people on this estate will come along and take what isn’t theirs because it’s easier or sometimes, just because they can. Are you sure it was Lewis?’
    Josie shook her head. ‘I can’t be certain, but I think so.’
    The last time they had discussed Lewis, Laura had told Josie that she thought there was something on his mind, something he wasn’t telling them. Josie had hoped that between them they could get to the bottom of it, knowing how much a difference it could make if Lewis would confide in someone. But, so far, no one had been successful in getting him to do that.
    ‘Do you think he will ever get help?’ she asked.
    Laura looked up, her eyes glazed with tears. ‘Until he realises he has a problem, I don’t think so, but …
    ‘When we spoke last time,’ Laura continued, ‘you mentioned Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I’ve been researching it online. It’s often triggered by an event after the trauma, isn’t it?’
    ‘Yes,’ nodded Josie. ‘Some soldiers do come home and adapt to life without any problems, although a lot are suffering because of events on the job.’ She saw Laura raise her eyebrows questioningly. ‘Without any problems they tell us about, should I say.’
    ‘Do you think it was more than Michael’s death that he seems stressed about?’ Laura lowered her voice, fearful of Lewis overhearing.
    ‘It’s possible, I’m sure.’ Josie paused, wondering if she should voice her concerns. ‘Maybe when he came home, back to Amy and Daniel, with support from his family and his parents, he was able to cope a lot better. But as soon as he lost his dad … well, maybe he can’t confide in anyone else?’
    ‘I often wondered what they talked about when they disappeared into the shed at the bottom of the garden. Sometimes they would be in there for hours. I always thought perhaps he was sharing happy memories of his time in the army – Michael was so proud of him. But I never stopped for a moment to wonder if he was counselling him through his trauma.’
    ‘And was it soon after Michael died that Lewis’s drinking spiralled out of control?’ Josie probed.
    Laura nodded. ‘But I don’t know if he’ll ever realise that.’
    ‘It’s probably the reason he’s drinking more, to block something out of his life. He can’t face what’s inside his head on his own.’
    ‘I never thought he would turn to alcohol,’ Laura admitted. ‘He used to be the life and soul of a party without a drop of beer. He was always happy-go-lucky. I … I wish we could get that back.’
    ‘He hasn’t mentioned anything at all?’
    Laura shook her head. ‘All I know is that something happened when he was out on a tour and he says it was his fault. And when I question him about it, he clams up. He doesn’t want to talk to us.’
    ‘Really? Not even to Amy?’
    Laura shook her head. ‘And that’s the saddest thing. Amy and Lewis were good together. They were both so young when Daniel came along and when Lewis went in the army, I thought that the relationship would collapse. But they proved me wrong. Amy is like a daughter to me, and I miss having her around. I do go to see her and Daniel, but it’s difficult. I feel like I’m taking sides and I don’t want to do that.’
    ‘He’ll come around, in his own time.’
    ‘I hope so.’ Laura was quiet for a moment. ‘It’s like he’s come home as a stranger. That’s when he’s actually in the house, and not down the pub causing trouble.’
    ‘It must affect you, too, as well as Amy and Daniel?’
    ‘I guess so, but I’ll be okay. I just wish his father was here to support us both.’ Laura sniffed.
    Josie glanced at the photo of Lewis to Laura’s