“Miss Callaghan doesn’t remember anything of the sort.”

“I’m sorry about that. But it doesn’t alter the fact that she said it.”

“You also told the police that Miss Callaghan had been opening cupboards in the room and picking stuff up. You’re still sticking to that, are you? Because Miss Callaghan has no recollection of that happening either.”

Sarah’s eyes flashed as she replied angrily, “Yes, I’m still sticking to the truth. Why should I lie, for God’s sake? I like Miss Callaghan.”

“I can think of several reasons why you might be telling less than the truth.” Lindsay paused, but Sarah refused to take up the challenge. Lindsay shook her head sorrowfully and said, “Sorry we’ve been such a nuisance, I hope we haven’t put you off your exercises.” Then she turned and walked out, followed by Cordelia. She marched down the stairs in a state of frustrated fury, then suddenly saw the funny side and whirled round on Cordelia with a grin, saying, “There is something about me that seems to get right up the Cartwrights’ noses. I can’t have gone to the right school.”

Cordelia dissolved into a violent fit of giggles, much to the amazement of a couple of sixth-formers who passed by as the two women staggered into Paddy’s room.

15

Cordelia sat at Paddy’s desk scribbling furiously in her notebook, while Lindsay wandered round the room, smoking and fiddling with the assortment of objects on the mantelpiece. Eventually she headed for the drinks cupboard and poured herself a small whisky. “You want one?” she asked.

“That depends. Are we going out for a meal? And if so, when?”

“Must we go out? I’m just not in the mood tonight for all the palaver of menus and waiters and posing about the wine list. I thought I’d go off in search of an Indian takeaway. Buxton may not be the cosmopolitan center of the universe, but it must have some kind of fast food apart from fish and chips. Unless you have any other ideas?”

“I was rather hoping we could find a nice little restaurant and splash out a bit.”

“Every day I spend down here is a day when I’m earning precisely zilch. I don’t feel much like splashing out. Especially since I’ve got Paddy on my Presbyterian conscience.”

“My treat, Lindsay. I’ve got it, we might as well spend it.”

Lindsay looked outraged. “No way,” she retorted. “We have to know each other a lot better before I let you pay for me. If you feel the need to go out and spoil yourself, fine. But I’ll settle for what fits in with my lifestyle, if it’s all the same to you.”

Cordelia looked thunderstruck. “My God,” she complained, “you’re so bloody self-righteous sometimes. Why the hell don’t you just relax? There’s no need for all this puritanical shit.”