She shut the door carefully, and stepped away. Fen stared at the door, then up at Pat, then said, “Well. Your room, I think.”

She dragged Pat along the corridor, marching along until they reached her bedroom, where she pushed Pat towards the bed, shut the door, put her back against it, and repeated, “Well.”

“I had no idea.” Pat wasn’t entirely sure that was true now she came to consider it. It certainly made sense of a lot of things. “Good God. I suppose that explains Jimmy’s behaviour, doesn’t it?”

“His mysterious secret unattainable love affair was your brother?” Fen’s lips moved silently. “Goodness me. For heaven’s sake.”

Pat’s heart thumped, not pleasantly. “I’m sure you’re very annoyed—outraged, even, and you’ve every reason—but you know I’m awfully fond of Bill.”

Fen frowned. “Of course you are. I hope you aren’t suggesting that I’m about to rush off and call the police or inform the Wittons.”

“No, I didn’t mean that—”

“Then you were worried I might casually let it slip at the dinner table?” Fen looked offended, Pat realised with a sinking sensation. “I’m not entirely ignorant, or quite so careless either.”

“I really didn’t think that,” Pat said urgently, and guiltily, because the thought had been there. “Honestly. I know you wouldn’t set out to hurt anyone but it’s not unreasonable for you to be upset with Jimmy, and people do say things without meaning to.”

“If they’re silly little feather-heads, yes they do,” Fen snapped. “I thought you had a slightly higher opinion of me.”

“Of course I do. Fen, please. I didn’t mean to imply that at all, but Bill’s my brother, and Jimmy’s my friend, and what if that had been Haworth who walked in instead of us? I don’t want to be afraid for another brother.” The truth of that hit her with horrifying force as the words left her mouth. “Oh God, I don’t want to. Oh, Bill.”

“Of course you’re afraid. I didn’t think. How silly of me.” Fen spoke with quick sympathy, ruffled feathers settling at once. “Come here.” She slipped her arms around Pat’s waist, and Pat held on, breathing in her scent. “I do see this is a new worry for you, but I promise you needn’t worry about me saying anything.”

“I know. I didn’t think you would, really.”

“Well, now you have my word for it,” Fen said. “And I’m not outraged. I don’t think I’m even annoyed. I already knew Jimmy had a tendre for someone else, and it makes no difference to me who that is. Actually, this is probably better than a married woman, which is what I assumed, because at least he isn’t betraying someone’s vows.”

“Adultery isn’t criminal,” Pat pointed out.