‘Thank you, Gregory. Put it down on the coffee table and we will help ourselves. In the meantime, would you please make sure the kitchen floor is washed and all the glasses in the main cabinet polished. When Farook comes back after walking the dog, he is to put him in his cage. I don’t want these gentlemen scared that my Doberman might attack them.’ She giggled. ‘Then tell Farook to make sure the Jacuzzi’s been emptied and cleaned – and make sure there’s no trace of Vim left. There are no more clients expected today, so he can go home after that.’

Gregory gave a little curtsy and scuttled out.

‘He’s such a dear man. He lost his wife a few years ago and finds solace in house-cleaning. I think he’s always had a bit of a fetish as he brings his own costume.’

Miller declined tea on behalf of himself and Spencer, so Mandy poured herself a cup then filled a little plate with tiny squares of cucumber sandwich. She eased her bulk back into the chair, balancing her plate on her stomach as she sipped her tea.

‘Right, dear, shall we continue?’

At this point, a small button on the tape recorder blinked to indicate the tape had run out.

Chapter Fifteen

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Jane and Eunice Small were sitting at a small table for two in the corner of the restaurant. Jane had paid the taxi fare and although Eunice had murmured that she should really pay, Jane had insisted. Eunice seemed very impressed with the Rubens Hotel and the fact that it was so close to Buckingham Palace, saying that as a young woman she had been outside the gates and seen the Queen driving past. Eunice thought the à la carte menu looked rather expensive, but Jane encouraged her to choose whatever she fancied. In the end, they both ordered roast beef followed by apple turnover.

Jane was taking it slowly, as she had a lot of questions for Eunice and didn’t want to overwhelm her, so she just let the old lady talk at her own pace.

‘I don’t think Justine expected to see me there, to be honest. Which isn’t surprising as I haven’t spoken to her for what must be more than ten years.’ She frowned and shook her head. ‘No, that’s not right. I remember we did have a conversation when their daughter was born, but I think Justine felt I was rather common.’ She shrugged her shoulders and gave Jane a sweet, twinkling smile. ‘It never bothered me, though. I often thought about Charlie, but he never made contact and so I just got on with my life, really.’