‘A bath would be thrilling. They have them in the nick I understand.’

Matilda switched on the headlights, drove out of the car park up through the town. Her passenger did not speak.

On the outskirts of the town Matilda saw a corner shop still open. She stopped the car. ‘Won’t be a minute.’ She got out, went into the shop and bought several large cans of dog food, two pints of milk, a carton of eggs. ‘When I get back to the car he will be gone,’ she thought. ‘Perhaps he will take the dog. It would be an intelligent thing to do; nobody is looking for a man with a dog. If he’s gone I shall go straight back to the cliffs and whether that barbecue is going on or not, I shall swallow my pills and swim out, though washed down with milk isn’t as fine as washed down with Beaujolais, but if I swim fast the pills will work on their own. My plan will work after all.’

She took the carrier bag back to the car. Hugh Warner was fast asleep holding the dog in his arms. Matilda restarted the car. She sensed her passenger was awake though he did not speak.

They drove out of the town past the bus station, the railway station and the police station. Matilda grinned to herself momentarily, forgetting her resolution.

‘It’s about ten miles.’

‘I see.’

‘You can have a bath and go to bed or you can go to bed and have a bath in the morning. There’s food in the house.’

‘I’d love a bath.’

‘Okay.’

‘If you have a razor?’

‘Yes.’

‘A bath and a shave, how civilized. My feet are sore like Miss here. What shall you call her?’

‘Folly,’ said Matilda.

‘A very good name.’

They drove along the main road. When she reached the turning leading to the hills she said: ‘I live in an isolated cottage. It is not overlooked. I am a solitary person, people do not often come. You will be as safe as it is possible to be.’

‘You are very kind.’

‘I hope you appreciate my tact in not asking you why you killed your mother.’

‘I do, immensely.’

‘Good.’

‘And I hope you will also appreciate my tact in not asking you why you had planned your suicide.’

‘Oh I do, I do.’ Matilda began to laugh again. Sitting on Hugh Warner’s lap, Folly wagged her tail. Her problem at least was solved.

5

THE BACK DOOR key was under the bootscraper where she had left it. Matilda opened the door and, switching on the light, walked in.

‘What a spotless kitchen.’ Hugh, carrying the bag of food, followed with Folly at his heels.