Lorna hesitates, wondering how best to ask the next question. ‘Actually, it’s a long story but I’m also trying to find another person my mother knew. A Daphne Hartall. I wondered if she was any relation to you.’

He looks confused, his bushy eyebrows bobbing up and down. ‘Daphne Hartall’s my sister.’

‘Daphne Hartall’s your sister?’ She knew it! She knew it couldn’t be a coincidence. Hartall is too unusual a surname.

‘Why do you ask about Daphne?’ There is pain behind his eyes when he mentions her name.

Lorna shifts her weight from one foot to the other. How can she even begin to explain it all? ‘Your sister used to lodge with my mother, back in 1980. And I think they must both have known Sheila Watts. I think maybe my mum lived here in Broadstairs too at some point. Did you know her? Rose Grey?’

He shakes his head, looking confused. She doesn’t know if she’s making any sense.

‘Anyway, really, I just wanted to speak to Daphne. To find out about my mum. She has dementia now and . . .’

Alan clears his throat. ‘Hold on,’ he says, his bushy eyebrows drawn together. ‘You said your mum knew Daphne in 1980?’

‘Yes, they lived together. In Wiltshire.’

He clicks his tongue, his face impatient. ‘No, no. Something isn’t right about this. Daphne was Broadstairs born through and through. Never left. And . . .’ his eyes moisten ‘. . . Daphne died. At thirty-two, of cancer. Back in 1971.’

22

Saffy

AS I LET MYSELF INTO THE COTTAGE I FEEL SHAKY AFTER the conversation with the private detective. Who is he working for? And what sort of information does he think Gran has? I wonder if it’s something to do with Sheila. But I dismiss the thought straight away. The private detective only turned up since the bodies have been found, so it must be something to do with that. But what? Does Gran know more than she’s capable of telling us?

I go to switch the kettle on, annoyed when I see Mum has moved it to the other side of the microwave. I move it back while Snowy chews a toy at my feet.

A knock on the door makes me jump.