She shook her head. “It’s never happened. I mean there have been rows, people coming in late after a load of drink, but this was different.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “The truth is, I wondered if I should report it to the guards. I mean, it’s domestic abuse, isn’t it? There are all those ads on the television now, aren’t there? About not ignoring it if you see it.”

I sat back, realizing that she might very well be right. Just because it was a woman attacking a man rather than the other way around didn’t make it any more acceptable. “Would it help to speak to the brother?” I asked.

Mary massaged her temples. I was surprised by how distressed she was about this. “Maybe.” She sounded unconvinced.

“It might be somewhere to start. See what he thinks and, if it happens again, then definitely report it. And make it clear that that’s what you will be doing.”

She nodded. “Okay, I’ll do that.”

But when I showed her out, I noticed her hands were balled into fists.

Chapter Six

I CLOSED THE front door and returned to reception where Leah was alone, typing furiously. When she saw me, she looked up, took off her headphones and rested her elbows on the desk.

“So, was Mary as good as her word? Was it really only a chat?”

“You heard?”

“Marina told me.”

I nodded. “Ah yeah. Although I’m pretty sure I didn’t give her what she was looking for.” I glanced towards the hall door, still feeling a little concerned. “I can’t help thinking there was something she wasn’t saying.”

“Really? I hope she’s okay.” Leah sighed. “I like Mary. She’s such a child of nature. I want to be like her when I’m her age.”

I knew what she meant. There was an earthy quality about Mary that I wished I had, but knew I probably never would.

Leah’s eyes narrowed in amusement. “You know she has a tattoo of a mermaid?”

“You’re kidding. How do you know that?”

She grinned. “I met her coming out of Derry Ink a while back and she showed me. It’s on her back, so you wouldn’t see it unless she did. She said she just took a notion and did it.”

“She’s a smart businesswoman,” I said. “That B & B has been a great success. Hard work though.”

“I know, but she seems to be able to just go with the flow. She says she really likes the company it brings. She’s got such an open, giving kind of a nature,” Leah said dreamily.

I raised my eyebrows. Not my trusty legal assistant’s usual turn of phrase. Had pregnancy turned her all New Age? Her eyes drifted and her smile faded suddenly.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, concerned.