Shifting Sands (22 page)

She didn't speak, and he added urgently, ‘They didn't, did they?'

‘I don't think so.' She gave a little shiver, remembering. ‘I
was
caught with my hand on an office door, but I said I was looking for the loo.'

‘God, Maddy, that sounds risky! Are you sure they weren't suspicious?'

‘Pretty sure. The girl gave me an odd look, that's all, but after that, I didn't dare probe any further. I'm so sorry, Steve. I feel I should refund the cost.'

‘Nonsense. You enjoyed the weekend, though, overall?'

‘Oh, it was great! All that mollycoddling made you feel really special. And the food was excellent! I was expecting to exist on rabbit food, but far from it. If you weren't on a diet it was haute cuisine –
healthy
haute cuisine, of course!'

‘Hard on those who
were
on a diet!'

‘Their tables were screened off, so they didn't see what they were missing. But I definitely feel the better for it – leaner and altogether fitter.' She gave a little laugh. ‘I suppose you wouldn't like one of the other resorts investigating
next
weekend? I might have better luck there!'

‘Finances certainly wouldn't stretch to that! So when am I going to see this new, fitter you?'

‘Tomorrow evening?'

‘I can hardly wait!'

Steve reported Maddy's findings, such as they were, on Monday morning.

‘She couldn't discover much about the treatment, but she did learn who'd been up in Manchester – the two owners, the MD and their three PAs – just the six of them.'

‘And then there were five. Presumably, they all have alibis?'

‘God knows; the three men certainly wouldn't have wanted that information passed on.'

‘But they didn't know the memory stick existed, did they? She'd already posted it by the time whoever it was caught up with her.'

‘True, though I suppose they might have found out and taken revenge. But to return to Foxfield, an interesting fact is that the police were back there.'

‘Ah!' Jonathan said. ‘So said memory stick made them sit up and take notice. We'd better start on our interviews, then, or they'll pip us to the post.'

‘We'll need a convincing spiel.'

‘Articles on women who've contributed to the community?'

‘Something along those lines, yes.'

‘But that wouldn't cover Emily Broadbent,' Jonathan said reflectively. ‘She was just an ordinary housewife.'

‘Then you'll have to make use of your family connection.'

‘Which will need careful handling.'

‘Well, I leave it to you. You make a start on her, I'll take Mrs Justice Holbrook.'

Anna had gone home, and as Sophie carried her sheets down to the utility room, she admitted to herself that the visit hadn't been an unqualified success. Part of the trouble, certainly, was the underlying tension with Angus, but overshadowing even that was her inability to accept the idea of ‘Lewis'. She had wished, uselessly, that she could discuss it with Angus, but first there was the other matter to be resolved, and she'd wept alone in the privacy of her bathroom for the betrayal, as she saw it, of her father.

Coming back to Angus and Imogen, though, she accepted, as she poured in the detergent, that she'd never seriously believed there was anything between them. Hurt pride had made her want to punish him, but she'd succeeded in also punishing herself. She'd been wrong to let it drag on like this, and the longer it lasted, the more likely Tamsin was to notice signs of friction. Tonight, she promised herself, she would put an end to it.

‘I have to say, I did wonder,' Beatrice remarked.

‘Wonder what?' Anna was immediately on the defensive.

‘Whether there was more to that enigmatic man than you were prepared to admit. I did ask, if you remember, when you showed me the photos.'

‘I know; I was tempted to tell you then, but Bea, I was so ashamed. I still am.'

‘Love, these things happen.'

‘But how could it, when I'm still crying for Miles? And – oh God, it's his anniversary in two weeks! How can I face the family? They'll think I'm such a hypocrite!'

Beatrice didn't reply for a moment. ‘Will Sophie have told anyone?'

‘I don't know. She and Angus are in the middle of a spat, but she might well have phoned Jonathan. Why?'

‘I was just wondering if it might clear the air if you brought the whole thing into the open. Introduce the family to Lewis, meet his.'

‘Actually, that's what he suggested. They're having a big party next month, and he wants to invite us all. I was considering it, but Thursday night changed everything. This last weekend was fraught enough; Sophie hasn't forgiven me, I know, though she tried to hide it. Bea, what am I going to do?'

‘Ride it out, love. That's all you
can
do. Now, since I'm no longer a one-armed bandit, I've rustled up something rather special for lunch. I hope you enjoy it.'

Jonathan had spent much of the weekend brooding over Sophie's revelations about their mother, which had placed him in a quandary. Anna must guess Sophie had told him; what would she expect him to do? Phone her straight away? Go to see her? And if he did neither, would she think he was deliberately avoiding her?

As he sat doodling at his desk, considering how best to approach Emily Broadbent's death, a perfect solution occurred to him. He'd ask Ma about it! He hadn't got far with Sophie when he'd broached the subject and was chary of upsetting Imogen by a direct approach. But his mother would know, and it would provide an excuse for contacting her.

Before he lost courage, he reached for the phone and, with quickened heartbeat, awaited her voice. But it was the answerphone that clicked in, and he swore softly. Without hope, he dialled her mobile, which was, as he'd expected, switched off. Where the hell was she? Still on the way home from Sophie's? There was nothing for it but to curb his impatience and try again later.

When Angus arrived home that evening and cautiously opened the kitchen door, Sophie came to meet him and, to his delighted surprise, reached up to kiss him. His arms closed round her.

‘Does this mean I'm forgiven?' he asked.

‘It means I'm sorry for not giving you the chance to explain.'

‘Honestly, darling, it was—'

She laid a finger on his lips. ‘Later. For the moment, it's enough that we're friends again.'

He kissed her again, and behind them, Tamsin's laughing voice said, ‘Sorry to interrupt, but Mel's on the phone. She's invited me and Florence to a party tomorrow – the skating rink first, then back for a meal. We can go, can't we?'

‘I don't see why not,' Sophie replied, and, with a considerably lighter heart, she returned to her cooking.

‘Hello, Ma.'

‘Jonathan! How lovely to hear from you!'

‘How are you?'

‘Fine, thanks. And you? Enjoying being back in the bosom of the family?'

‘It's great. Can't think why I didn't do it months ago.' He hesitated. ‘Ma, this might sound an odd question, but did you ever learn the cause of Imogen's aunt's death?'

She sounded surprised, as though it wasn't the question she was expecting. ‘A congenital heart defect, apparently – a ticking bomb that could have gone off at any time. Why are you asking?'

‘It's to do with a series of articles,' he said, purposely vague.

‘I hope you're not going to upset her husband?'

‘No, I promise to be tactful.'

A congenital heart defect. For the first time, Jonathan wondered how all these doctors and pathologists who'd given causes of death would react to the suggestion that they'd been mistaken. Not well, he was willing to bet.

Anna waited a moment, then, when he still didn't speak, forced herself to ask, ‘Have you spoken to Sophie in the last few days?'

He bit his lip.
Here we go
! ‘I have, yes.'

‘And what was your reaction?'

‘God, Ma, I honestly don't know.'

‘Shock? Anger? Disgust?'

‘Some of that, I suppose.'

‘I'm so sorry, Jon. I'd give anything for it not to have happened.'

He said with difficulty, ‘I want you to be happy, of course . . .'

‘But not yet?'

‘Something like that.'

‘Sophie met Lewis,' Anna said reflectively. ‘What did she say about him?'

‘Nothing, really, except that he shot off when she arrived.'

‘Beatrice suggested it might help if you all met, but—'

‘
Beatrice
knows?'

‘Only as of today. I went to her straight from Sophie's. I had to speak to someone, Jon, and she's the closest friend I have.'

‘And she suggested we play Happy Families? God! How she could imagine—'

‘She was only trying to help. She blames herself for missing out on South Africa and feels responsible for what's happened. Whereas
I
still feel guilty about going without her. Anyway, I've thought of the perfect Christmas present to make up for it: a weekend voucher to Mandelyns!'

Jonathan, whose attention had wandered, came to with a start. ‘
What
did you say?'

‘That she feels responsible—'

‘No, about a Christmas present?'

‘I'm going to give her a voucher to Mandelyns. Why?'

‘Ma, you can't! Really, you mustn't!'

‘What do you mean, I can't? Whatever's the matter with you, Jon?'

‘Please! I can't explain, but whatever you do, don't let her go to Mandelyns!'

‘What possible reason—?'

‘Emily Broadbent went there.'

Anna sounded bewildered. ‘Did she? How is that relevant? Look, perhaps I should explain—'

‘Sorry, Ma, I must go. Just take my word for it. Any other health farm, just not Mandelyns.'

‘Jonathan, you're being—'

‘Bye, Ma.' Jonathan cut the connection and sat back, breathing quickly. He hadn't handled that well, but it had taken him completely by surprise. He prayed she wouldn't phone straight back, demanding an explanation, but as the minutes stretched out he breathed more easily. If the worst came to the worst, he'd have to tell her their suspicions, but it was a risky business. As Steve had commented, if word got out that they'd been spreading rumours, they could be taken to court. God, as if life wasn't complicated enough!

Pushing back his chair, he went to help with his sons' baths.

‘She didn't know what she was doing,' Angus finished. ‘She was stressed out, the disaster with the mousse was the last straw, and she just snapped.'

They were lying in bed, his arm round her shoulders.

‘You weren't exactly pushing her away,' Sophie reminded him.

‘To be honest, I was in shock; it had come so completely out of the blue. But really, sweetheart, it had no more meaning for either of us than a New Year kiss. Don't hold it against her; she was in need of instant comfort, and I happened to be there. That was all.'

In fact, Sophie's next meeting with Imogen was sooner than she'd either expected or wanted.

As they pulled into the ice rink car park the next afternoon, a familiar Focus slid into place behind them.

‘Oh God!' Tamsin said theatrically. ‘I'd forgotten Mel knew Dire Daisy!'

‘
How
does she?' Sophie asked, feeling her heart sink. ‘They don't live near each other.'

‘She's at Mel's school,' Tamsin said, picking up her duffle bag. ‘Still, we should be able to avoid her.'

‘Who's Dire Daisy?' asked Florence with interest.

‘The daughter of friends of ours,' Sophie said quickly, forestalling a less acceptable description. ‘And don't call her that, Tamsin; it's not very nice. You needn't spend much time with her, but you owe it to Mel to be polite.'

A snort was her only reply.

‘I'll pick you up from the house at eight o'clock,' Sophie called after her as the two girls set off across the car park, and a hand was raised in acknowledgement.

She risked another look in the mirror, only to meet Imogen's eyes staring straight at her. With a sigh, Sophie got out of the car, walked to the one behind, and opened the passenger door. ‘May I?' she asked.

‘Oh yes, please!'

Sophie slid inside and shut the door. They both started to speak at once:

‘I've been wanting to ring you, but—'

‘Angus explained what happened—'

They broke off with awkward smiles. Then Imogen said quickly, ‘Sophie, I'm so desperately sorry! Is he absolutely furious with me? I couldn't blame him.'

‘Of course he's not. He was just . . . taken by surprise, that's all.'

‘I made such an utter fool of myself – I don't know how I'll be able to face him! But it must have given you
completely
the wrong impression, when you—'

‘It's all right, Imo. I told you he explained.'

‘And when you left immediately after,' Imogen continued, as though she hadn't spoken, ‘I was frantic! I was sure everyone would ask why, but they seemed to accept the migraine.'

‘Quick thinking on my husband's part,' Sophie commented wryly.

‘He . . . won't say anything to Roger, will he?'

‘Of course he won't! Whatever do you take him for? Look, Imo, it caused a bit of awkwardness, nothing more than that, so let's put the whole thing behind us.' She leant over and kissed her friend's cheek, and Imogen gave her a hard, relieved hug.