James arched his brow. ‘Actually, the only thing she told me was that the play was a roaring success.’

Sonia blew out an audible breath. ‘Oh, well, perhaps I didn’t make as much of a fool of myself as I thought I did.’

‘I’m sure that’s true,’ James said. ‘So what did happen?’

She was about to explain when her attention was suddenly drawn to a point beyond him.

‘I think I’ll leave it to your wife to provide you with the gory details,’ she said. ‘She’s just arrived.’

James turned to see Annie walking towards them while unzipping her parka.

‘Right on cue,’ he said to her. ‘I’ve ordered wine and if you’re hungry we can get some lunch. But first Sonia wants a quick word with you.’

Annie acknowledged Sonia with a pleasant smile as she stepped up to the bar.

‘I just want to say that I’m sorry for my little outburst at the school yesterday,’ Sonia said. ‘It’s true I’d had a couple of gin and tonics after I was told about Janet and my husband. So I found it hard to control myself. But I shouldn’t have caused a scene in front of you and everyone else. I feel really stupid.’

Annie held onto her smile as she shook her head and told Sonia not to worry.

‘It was over in a flash,’ she said. ‘So you shouldn’t let it bother you. We all allow our emotions to get the better of us from time to time.’

‘Thanks for being so understanding, Annie,’ Sonia said. ‘As a token of my appreciation the wine is on the house. Now, go and find somewhere to perch yourselves before the place starts to fill up, which it will soon enough.’

They chose a table in an alcove, and after Sonia brought the wine and menus, Annie told James about the altercation at the school between the two women.

‘I forgot to mention it because we both got so wound up talking about the parcel,’ she said. ‘But it was pretty unpleasant, and the funny thing is I wasn’t quite sure who to feel sorry for.’

‘What do you mean?’ James asked.

Annie shrugged. ‘I’m not altogether convinced that Janet was being honest when she denied having a fling with him.’

They didn’t dwell on the subject for long because there was so much else to talk about.

Having decided what to eat, James went to the bar and ordered pea soups and crusty bread before filling Annie in on what had happened at the church. She was appalled when she saw the photos of the defaced headstone and expressed sympathy for Keith Patel.

‘He claims he was on his way back from the store with shopping when you passed him,’ James said. ‘But he doesn’t recall seeing you or hearing you speak to him.’

‘That might well be the case, I suppose. I’m not sure you’ll ever be able to prove otherwise.’

‘He also sent his regards to you. He said your mum and his mum were friends.’