“On top of watching the hat shop?” I asked. “That feels like taking advantage.”

“She loves Bella,” Viv said.

“That doesn’t mean she wants to dog sit,” I said.

Viv waved me off, and I stood, stretched and followed the gravel path to where Andre was tossing pebbles into the lily pond. I was still sore from our morning ride but at least I wasn’t limping. I glanced at Andre. He looked contemplative and I wondered if I should interrupt his thoughts. Then I went ahead and did it, because what are friends for?

“Why are you glaring at the pond? Has it done something to offend you?” I asked.

His head jerked up as if I’d startled him. “No, although it needs a good dredging.”

I glanced at the pond. He was right. It was thick with algae, too thick, and it emitted an off-putting smell.

“If it’s not the pond . . .” I let my words trail off, waiting for him to share.

“He knew who I was,” Andre said. “That toe-rag recognized me.”

“Dooney?” I asked just to clarify. I had wondered if he’d been upset when the detective mentioned that Dooney remembered bullying him in school and had told his fiancée.

“Yes, and what a load of codswallop that he was trying to make amends for tormenting me as a kid,” he said. His nostrils flared. “I went through that entire engagement photo shoot feeling sick to my stomach and he could have made it all go away by simply apologizing.”

“Maybe he didn’t know how to,” I suggested. “Or maybe he thought you didn’t remember him.”

“As if I could forget the bloke who mocked the way I walked and talked, who stuffed me into a bin and stole my best jumper.”

“I’m sorry he was cruel to you,” I said.

“Thank you,” Andre said. He glanced from the pool up to the castle. “I don’t believe he changed. It was much more in character to have him go ahead with the photo shoot, knowing that it would upset me, and pretend not to know me so he could enjoy my excruciating discomfort and not be called to account. I should have refused to take the pictures. I should have yelled at him or punched him in the mouth.”