I settled on my favorite Levis and a cream lambswool cowlnecked sweater. Thoroughly inoffensive, making no statement that a lesbian social worker could disagree with, I hoped. I went through to the kitchen to fix myself a plate of snacks from my supermarket blitz, and washed it down with a small vodka and grapefruit juice. I was in no real hurry. I was aiming to get to Maggie’s home in Bradford between six thirty and seven. With any luck I’d catch them before they went out for the evening.

As it turned out, my timing was diabolical. I found Maggie’s house easily enough, a neat brick terrace in a quiet street only a mile away from the motorway. I parked outside with a sinking heart as I registered that the house was in darkness. I walked up

As I walked back down the path, a small calico cat rubbed itself against my legs. I crouched down to stroke it. “Don’t suppose you know where they’ve gone, do you?” I asked softly.

“Darsett Trades and Labour Club,” a deep male voice said from behind me. I nearly fell over in shock.

I stood up hastily and stared in the direction of the voice. A tall dark hunk was standing by the gate with a box of groceries. “I’m sorry?” I asked inadequately.

“I’m the one who should be sorry, startling you like that,” he apologized with a smile that lit up twinkling eyes. I shrugged. Eyes like that I’d forgive most things. “If you’re looking for Maggie and Moira, they’ve gone to Darsett Trades and Labour Club,” he said.

“Oh, right,” I hedged. “I didn’t realize they were out tonight. I’ll catch up with them later.”

“You a friend of theirs?” the hunk asked.

“Friend of a friend, really,” I replied, walking down the path towards him. “I know Maggie from Seagull.”

“I’m Gavin,” he said. “I live next door. We would have been going with them tonight except that we’ve got people coming for dinner. Still, I’m sure there will be plenty more chances to hear Moira sing in public.”

My heart jolted. Moira was singing? I swallowed hard and spoke before Gavin’s helpful garrulity gave out. “I didn’t know it was tonight,” I improvised.

“Oh yeah, the big night. Her first engagement. She’s going to be a big success. I should know, I hear her rehearsing enough!”

I smiled politely and thanked him for his help. “I’ll catch them another time,” I said, getting back into my car. Gavin sketched a half-wave from under his box and turned into the next house. I pulled out my atlas. I groaned. Darsett was a good twenty miles away. With a sigh, I headed back towards the motorway.

Chapter   12