Friday's Child Read Online Free PDF

He hadn’t expected to get here at all, as he hadn’t even left the office until four in the morning. He’d gone straight there from the club to write up his notes. He’d say he was conscientious, rather than anything else. His family on the other hand, would tell him to go get a life.
    DI Nemec’s phone had gone straight to voicemail. So deciding the bloke must be in church, Patrick decided to do the same thing.
    His soon to be sister-in-law, Jacqui, shot him a sly grin and moved slightly before he sat on her coat.
    “You’re late,” she whispered.
    “You’re lucky I’m here at all.” He grinned as he whispered a reply, kissing her cheek. He reached over her to shake his brother’s firm hand. “Hey, Liam.”
    Liam smiled and grabbed his hymn book as the first song was announced. Patrick followed suit, then decided to follow on the overhead screen instead. He stood as the music started, and slid his hands into his pockets. He started singing, then his eyes spun right, his soul captivated by a very familiar voice.
    Elle stood in the pew in front, three people along. Having not seen her in fourteen years, he was suddenly finding her all over the place. Why haven’t I noticed her here before?
    Because I’m never here. He answered his own question and kept singing, forcing his eyes back to the screen, half wishing now he’d picked up the hymn book so he didn’t have her in his field of vision.
    As the children left, he caught her eye and shot her a smile. A stab of disappointment filled him as a weak smile met him in return. He looked away and reached for his Bible to follow the reading. There’s your answer, Patrick. She wants nothing to do with you. So ignore her and concentrate on the Lord. That is why you’re here.
    His mind refused to co-operate. It rehashed that last weekend over and over. Patrick took a deep breath. Fine, he told himself firmly. Then pray for her. That way you’re not leaving God out of this. And Satan is not winning this battle. He’s putting thoughts of Elle in my head to distract me from the service and my reason for being here, so I’ll turn them back to the Lord in prayer.
    After the service finished, he sat for a moment. What did he do? Leave or say hello? Deciding it’d be rude just to ignore her, he slid into the pew next to them. “Hello again,” he said, holding out a hand.
    Elle looked at him and took his hand. Her skin was cold against his and she shook his hand lightly. Her smile was forced and she looked uncomfortable. “Hello. How are you?”
    Patrick smiled, hoping the warmth of his greeting would help ease her. “I’m good. How are you?”
    “Fine.” Elle shifted slightly at the ragged cough from the severe, grey-haired lady. “This is my mother, Jeanette Harrison. This is Patrick Page. We were at university together for a while.”
    Patrick extended his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Harrison.” He took in the hostile stare and the limp grip which was dropped as soon as possible.
    “Were you in the same year?” Mrs. Harrison’s voice was just as cold.
    “No, I was two years ahead, doing my post graduate course. I was Elle’s mentor.”
    “Ellie, look what I got. Charlotte gave it to me for my birthday.”
    Patrick turned to see a girl, possibly in her early teens run over, holding out a book. A beaming smile lit her face, making her blue eyes sparkle. This must be the little sister.
    Elle took the book. “Wow, very nice. How’d you swing that one, squirt? It’s not your birthday for a while yet.”
    The child grinned, tossing her short blonde curls from her face. “Did I say birthday? I meant my unbirthday.”
    Elle laughed. “You are terrible. Patrick, this is my sister, Abbie. Abbie, this is Patrick.”
    “Hello. I’ve seen you here before.” Abbie, unlike the other two women in her family, gave him a wide grin.
    Patrick smiled. “I’m here most weeks when I don’t have to work.”
    “Ellie works a lot too. Mum, Charlotte’s asked