‘We have not had an easy life,’ Norma said finally, and fixed Kelly with a cold vulpine eye—the mother-in-law eye that had never lost its power to intimidate her.

‘I know that … there were so many unanswered questions about Owen …’

‘Owen fell.’

‘Okay, right, okay.’ Kelly felt as if she was in her own grave, and a ghost had just walked across it. For years, she had puzzled over what Gordon had meant when he said he and Sam had lied about Owen’s death, and that Owen had died smiling. Gordon had slammed that door in her face. Norma—whatever she knew—was no different. This family, she thought … and they reckon my side’s fucked-up.

‘I don’t want to be pressured,’ Norma’s voice resumed normal service. ‘I know you think I’m weak, but if you’re proposing what I think you are, and if I did have the wherewithal, and if Ron agreed to it … See, I have to ask him. He’s not long for this world, but he’s not gone yet.’

‘What do you think I’m proposing?’ Kelly said.

‘That we buy Gordon out. Oh, don’t look at me like I’ve just landed from Mars. I might be the financially illiterate dependent spouse, but I’m not stupid!’

Kelly almost laughed. You had to hand it to Norma. Beneath the helpless ‘traditional housewife’ was a cunning, street-smart operator.

‘That is what you’re proposing, isn’t it?’ Norma went on. ‘Ron won’t like it. But Gordon will never sell. You know how stubborn he is, and how much he loves that place. I can’t see how we would convince him, even if he is going to end up bankrupt.’

Kelly took a deep breath. She had one card left to play. ‘Not Gordon.’

‘Not Gordon?’

‘Carl. My idea is that you buy out Carl.’

‘Your brother?’

‘There’s a window of opportunity. Leonie can’t finish her redevelopment of the Hilton while she has a controlling share in The Lodge. That’s why she’s selling her voting share to Carl until the Hilton is finished. But it’s a sham. To buy his share, Carl has needed to borrow money, and guess who he’s borrowed it from?’

‘Leonie.’

‘Right. It’s barely even legal. When it’s safe for Leonie to own The Lodge again, she will transfer back her voting share from Carl, she’ll get Gordon’s share for nothing, and then she’ll be able to sell The Lodge at the new valuation. Huge profits for her.’

‘And Gordon’s out on the street.’

‘Because he’s over-borrowed.’

‘Oh, that boy.’

‘But when they settle three weeks from now, until the Hilton redevelopment is complete, Carl will have Leonie’s voting share. We—well, you—can buy him out. I can see how we might make him do it.’