‘She’s not there,’ Marta said. ‘She wanted to do something for the village after everything that’s happened, so she’s organising a memorial for Mrs Soper and we were summoned by gong to help. It’s in that building down at the end.’ She pointed along the harbour to a granite sail loft and workshop. ‘Obviously we couldn’t have it in the church.’

‘It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, but all the islanders and staff are going,’ Josephine added. ‘Hilaria thought it would bring everyone together. Marlene’s there with her.’ She looked closely at him, obviously concerned. ‘This has been a terrible day, hasn’t it? That poor boy.’ It was typical of Josephine to refuse to see things in black and white, and Penrose was grateful to her for articulating what he felt 281but could not allow himself to say. ‘It’s going to get worse, too,’ she added. ‘We’ve got news of our own.’ He listened in surprise as she repeated a conversation they had had with Hilaria about Nora Pendean. ‘Hilaria wanted to tackle her about it straight away, but we persuaded her to wait for you.’

‘I’m glad you did. God knows how she might have reacted, innocent or guilty, when emotions are running high like this.’ He was quiet for a moment, thinking about the housekeeper’s behaviour at the museum; she had been so certain that her friend couldn’t have gone to Marazion, and so upset – guilty, almost – about the cat, and yet her surprise at seeing the body had seemed genuine enough. ‘I’ll have to go and talk to her, but I need to see Hilaria first. She might want to be there when I question her. Where are the other guests?’

‘All together, up at the castle,’ Josephine said. ‘Barbara Penhaligon is packed and ready to go on the first boat out, and Rachel Lancaster is looking after Mrs Hartley. She’s going to stay with her for a bit, I gather.’

‘Mrs Hartley isn’t going to her sister?’

‘Not immediately, no. She wants to be at home, where she was happy with Richard. That’s understandable, I suppose. And Rachel is vowing to divorce her husband, so I suppose that’s the weekend’s silver lining.’

‘God knows we could do with one. I’d better go and find Hilaria. Are you coming to the memorial?’

‘No, we thought we’d leave them to it. They were very welcoming, but they don’t need outsiders at a time like this. And anyway, we promised Hilaria we’d keep an eye out for Mrs Carmichael. She’s expected, now that a crossing is possible.’ 282

‘Surely she won’t come at the eleventh hour? Especially if she knows what’s been happening here?’

‘Oh, I think she will,’ Marta said. ‘It meant a lot to her to be here.’

Josephine smiled and Penrose looked at her curiously, but there wasn’t time for any more conversation. Over by the museum, Violet was gently encouraging Johnny to come away. ‘Miss St Aubyn is hosting an event in the village tonight to remember your mother,’ Penrose said, when they rejoined him. ‘She’ll be glad to know you’re here.’