“I’ll stay on for the moment, if you really want me here,” I said. “But you don’t have to be polite, Rose.”

“I don’t want to be alone,” she said.

“All right,” I said. “But you should know that I believe wholeheartedly that Belinda is innocent. So I think it wiser that I leave as soon as possible.”

“At least stay for tonight,” she said. “Until my mother can come and be with me. I telephoned her and she’s on her way.”

“Very well,” I agreed. “But at this moment I need to be alone, if you don’t mind. I need fresh air.”

She nodded. “I have to tell Mrs. Mannering to make up a room for my mother.” She went across to the wall and tugged on the bellpull. “And we will need to plan a funeral, won’t we? When do you think the police will release Tony’s body to us? They said something about an autopsy, but that’s ridiculous, isn’t it? We all know how he died. He was stabbed to death. I told the police that I didn’t want his body cut up any more but they said it was standard procedure. Horrible.” She shook her head.

“You rang, Mrs. Summers?” Mrs. Mannering appeared. “Oh, you’ve let your tea get cold. Should I bring you another cup?”

“No, thank you,” Rose said. “I’m finding it hard to swallow anything. But I’ve just spoken with my mother and she will be arriving by this evening so I wondered if you could . . .”

“I have already instructed Elsie to make up the blue room for her. It is suitably close to your room.”

“Thank you. You’re an absolute brick, Mrs. M.,” Rose said.

The older woman gave a little nod of appreciation. “I do my job, Mrs. Summers.”

Chapter 25

OCTOBER 19

IN THE VILLAGE OF ROCK, CORNWALL

I feel as if I am fumbling blindly in the dark. There must be some logic to this. It is as if I’m living my nightmare over and over.

I retrieved my overcoat from the cupboard, took the key to Brutus from my pocket and came out into the fresh air. A stiff breeze was blowing and clouds raced across the sky. It would be a grand day for a ride or better still a hunt. Or a walk through the estate at Eynsleigh with my grandfather. Anywhere, other than here. I really wished I hadn’t agreed to come. If only Zou Zou had been in London or Granddad hadn’t been busy I would not have been home when Belinda came calling. Then I rebuked myself for being selfish. It would have been so much worse for her if I hadn’t been with her. She needed me here.