The Lipstick Killers

was sure to find the body before long.’
    ‘Jesus, Roxie.’
    ‘So you see, I don’t give a toss either. I’m in this with you Mags – whatever happens. Unless of course you want to turn me in.’
    ‘What do you reckon, Dolly?’
    The two sisters hugged again as the machines beside Sharon’s bed bleeped on.

57
     
     
     
    When Margaret and Roxie woke up the next morning they were still in the hard plastic chairs next to Sharon’s bed. Hearing the sound of breakfasts being served in the other wards, they both realised they were starving and asked the Irish nurse on duty if they could get some breakfast themselves, or at least some coffee. She pointed them in the direction of the canteen on the ground floor, and promised to find them if Sharon’s circumstances changed, although she didn’t seem too optimistic. ‘When this sort of thing happens, I’ve seen people sleep for days. It’s the body’s way of healing itself,’ she said. ‘But don’t worry, I won’t be far, and I’ll keep a close eye on your sister,’ she said in a kindly tone.
    The two sisters took the lift downstairs, and both bought cooked breakfasts from the canteen. ‘I feel rotten, stuffing myself when Sharon’s upstairs like that,’ said Roxie.
    ‘We need to eat,’ said Margaret. ‘We need to be strong. Starving ourselves won’t help.’
    Roxie nodded agreement, and they found an empty table and sat down.
    They’d finished their meals quickly and Margaret said, ‘I need a cigarette.’
    ‘So do I.’
    ‘You don’t even smoke sis!’
    ‘I’m thinking about taking it up. I’m as nervous as hell about all of this. What if I can’t get this St Cyr bloke to believe me?’
    ‘What you? The scourge of clubland. I thought pulling blokes was one of your great talents and you’re a good little actress. Remember all those times that you convinced Dad you were tucked up in bed when you were actually out drinking cider in the park with the bad lads from school?’
    ‘It is true, I can usually get my way with blokes. But not in order to kidnap them. At least – not often.’
    ‘Come on,’ said Margaret. ‘Let’s go outside for a minute. Get some fresh air.’
    ‘And some smoke.’
    ‘That too.’
    They went out of the front door and both lit up. It was a beautiful morning, but the fine weather did little to cheer them up.
    As they finished their cigarettes, Margaret recognised Mahoney’s car as it sped into the car park in front of them. He jumped out and ran towards them, unshaven, his hair sticking up in all directions.
    ‘Isn’t he sweet,’ said Roxie. ‘All warm from his bed. Look at what you’re missing,’ she said, grinning.
    ‘Shut up.’
    Mahoney slid to a halt in front of them. ‘Jesus, I just heard,’ he said. ‘What happened?’
    ‘She OD’d on sleepers,’ said Margaret. ‘She’s sleeping in the ward upstairs.’
    ‘Do you think she did it on purpose?’ said Mahoney.
    ‘Who knows. She didn’t leave a note.’
    ‘Christ. Could this get much worse?’
    Neither of the women replied.
    ‘I’m so sorry,’ said Mahoney.
    ‘Always sorry,’ said Margaret. ‘Come on, let’s get upstairs.’

58
     
     
     
    The three of them got in the lift and went back upstairs to the side ward, where things had got worse. Much worse. Sharon’s bed was empty, and the machines were dead. ‘No,’ said Roxie, her face crumpling.
    As they went outside into the corridor, the Irish nurse they’d seen earlier ran up, Doctor Ramsey just behind her. ‘We tried to find you,’ the nurse said. ‘We had you paged.’
    ‘We were outside,’ said Margaret. ‘Just for a minute.’
    ‘I’m so sorry,’ said the doctor. ‘She crashed. We did what we could…’
    ‘You mean…’ said Margaret, her words trailing off as she realised what had happened.
    ‘Your sister died a few minutes ago of a coronary. There was nothing we could do,’ said the doctor in a hushed tone.
    Roxie let out an anguished wail and Margaret had to grab her to stop her from collapsing.
    ‘We tried to resuscitate,’ said the doctor. ‘Her body couldn’t take it.’
    ‘But so quickly?’ said Margaret, disbelievingly. ‘We were just here?’
    The doctor made a gesture of defeat. ‘It just happened. Nurse was there at her bedside. She called a code immediately . There was nothing more we could have done.’
    Margaret and Roxie just stood there in the hallway, their arms around each other, the sound of Roxie’s sobs filling the air.