She twisted a silver cross on a chain around her neck. “At least they have each other. They were siblings when we adopted them so they’re very close – always have been.”

“Like Bob and Derek,” I said with a half-smile.

But she didn’t respond. Instead, she lowered her eyes and took a sip of her coffee.

Phyllis and Liam were deep in chat, so I took my chance. I reached out for her and lowered my voice. “What do you think might have happened to Bob, Amanda?”

She shook her head, but I persevered. “I’m sure you’re right about him being liked and respected, but the fact remains, someone did wish him harm. Don’t you want to know who that was?”

She covered her mouth with her hand as if afraid of what she might say, then she turned away. “There’s always someone out there capable of killing any one of us.”

Chapter Seventeen

AT THAT MOMENT, Phyllis asked Amanda something which prevented me from asking her anything else, which was probably just as well. Then Liam clambered to his feet, kicking one corner of the table and almost causing a glass to fall – he’d found himself in the low armchair, very comfortable but a devil to get out of. And he followed Derek to the bathroom.

While they were gone, the chat inevitably turned to the weather. According to those who called to the table to commiserate with the bereaved visitors, there was an expectation that the worst was over, and that the water would abate overnight. In the morning bridges would be repaired and the clean-up would begin, and things could finally start to get back to normal. I hoped they were right. But in the meantime, we had tonight to get through. After a valiant effort from Phyllis, Amanda fell silent again and I left her to her thoughts. I suspected it was partly my fault.

“Anyone hungry?” Phyllis asked, as Derek and Liam finally returned to the table.

“We’d better get back to the B & B. I think Mary is preparing something for us there,” Derek said, looking at his watch. He seemed reluctant to leave, maybe not relishing the prospect of being alone again with his sister-in-law. But Amanda stood up obediently, and without meeting his eye, allowed him to help her with her coat.

“I’d better get back too,” Liam said. “The wife will be wondering if I’ve floated off …”

He stopped suddenly, glancing shamefacedly at Bob’s widow, but she didn’t seem to have noticed. There really was something childlike about her. Maybe it was the sedative Harry had given her.

“Fancy coming back to mine?” Phyllis asked me with a gentle nudge. “I haven’t a lot in, but I made tomato soup yesterday, which should still be all right, there’s some bread that we can toast and there are tins. I can easily throw something together.”