Chapters (156)
- A DATE WITH DEATH
- Also by Mark Roberts
- A Date With Death
- Copyright Page
- Contents
- The Past
- 1977
- Day OneWednesday, 1st December 2021CatoptrophobiaFear of mirrors
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- The Past
- 1979
- Day TwoThursday, 2nd December 2021OneirophobiaFear of dreams
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- The Past
- 1980
- Day ThreeFriday, 3rd December 2021MonophobiaFear of being alone
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
- 88
- 89
- 90
- 91
- 92
- 93
- 94
- 95
- 96
- 97
- 98
- The Past
- 1982
- Day FourSaturday, 4th December 2021ThanatophobiaFear of Death
- 99
- 100
- 101
- 102
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- 108
- 109
- 110
- 111
- 112
- 113
- 114
- 115
- 116
- 117
- 118
- 119
- 120
- 121
- 122
- 123
- 124
- 125
- 126
- 127
- 128
- 129
- 130
- 131
- 132
- 133
- 134
- 135
- 136
- 137
- About the Author
- An Invitation from the Publisher
‘She could be a complete waste of time. She resides in Plot 66, Springwood Crematorium. We need backup. 189 Princes Road.’
Hendricks heard music piped from a loudspeaker. Unforgettable by Nat King Cole. And beneath the music, children crying hysterically, a combination of sounds that went straight through him.
A car door opened and closed, killed the dreadful sorrow. Hendricks heard Clay turn the ignition on in her car.
‘I’ll get on to Gina and the duty magistrate right now.’
42
11.59 am
Francesca Christie walked over the threshold of Doherty Estates and Properties with a sharp mixture of nervous tension and profound relief. It felt like the air in the office was clean and easy to breathe.
‘You made it with a minute to spare, Francesca.’
Sally Manson, a tall middle-aged woman with long black hair, walked towards her, arm outstretched, hand extended and smiling. As Francesca shook hands with her, she felt the ever-present vice of oppression that Norma Maguire could tighten with a glance, unlock around her skull. She looked around the office, saw that they were the only people in the space.
‘Hello, Sally,’ said Francesca.
‘Office manager and head girl. Pleased to be at your assistance. Step this way, Francesca.’
Francesca followed Sally to a desk. ‘This is your desk. It’s a rather small goldfish bowl, the world of estate agents in this neck of the woods. Everyone knows everyone. Do you like to keep busy?’
‘I like to keep really busy.’
‘Well, we can certainly offer you that option. Look at us now. Up the wall. And just wait until new year: January, the busiest month in the year for divorce lawyers and estate agents.’
Francesca felt the steel clamp that was permanently locked between her shoulder blades in Maguire Holdings vanish. She laughed, felt the glow of the dawn of a brand-new era in her life. New job? Certainly. New man? How she hoped it would work out with James.
‘I’ve got your mobile number, Francesca. Brian gave it to me.’ The smile in her eyes dipped. ‘How did Norma take the news you were leaving?’
Francesca half-shrugged. ‘She was angry. She made all kinds of noises about what would happen to me because I’d walked early from my contract. But I couldn’t care less. I’m just so happy to be here. Away from the oppression.’
‘Yup!’ said Sally. ‘We have heard. Anyway. New chapter and all that. Brian’s delighted you’re on board, we all are. He’s wanted you to join our team for ages, and we’re a tight-knit bunch. You’re going to fit in just fine.’
‘Thank you so much, Sally.’
‘One thing. It is Francesca, isn’t it?’ Sally checked. ‘Not Franny or…?’
Francesca laughed.
‘You can call me Francesca. You can call me Franny if you like. But please, please, never ever Fran…’
‘I’ve got you, Francesca.’