Chapters (69)
Jenny had scooped him up after Nell died, as if he were a lost child. She was endlessly on the phone, on his doorstep, asking him if he was all right and if there was anything she could do to help. Her kindness had seemed almost excessive at times, and he worried that he would never be able to repay it.
‘I’m not saying a word, Jenny. It’ll be all around the county before lunchtime if I do.’
She chuckled mischievously. ‘Ah, so there is something to tell.’
Finch didn’t want to talk about Romy to anyone yet. It felt too new, too delicate for gossip. For so long the only name on his lips had been Nell’s. But Jenny’s stare was insistent and he gave in, surprising himself with the flutter of pleasure he felt as he said her name.
When he’d finished, Jenny was frowning. ‘“ Claire ” … I know that name.’
‘They used to be weekenders, but she lives here full-time now,’ he said. ‘She’s separated, used to be married to a barrister.’
‘Well, you must introduce me,’ Jenny said brightly, but Finch sensed a distinct lack of enthusiasm, which he thought stemmed from her general cynicism about relationships, her own having gone south around the time Nell died; her husband had announced he had a two-year-old child with a much younger work colleague.
‘Way too soon to think it might go anywhere.’
Jenny seemed to pull herself together. ‘It’s been a long time since Nell, Finch. You shouldn’t be alone.’
‘It’s the hardest thing, letting her go. I’ve been sort of OK, living with her spirit … but Romy has a good spirit too.’ He stopped, embarrassed at his ramblings in front of his friend. It would have been simpler if he didn’t feel so much for Romy. Then he could have walked away and stayed in the safe zone – however lonely – of his past with Nell.
But Jenny didn’t appear to be listening. ‘Got it! I knew the name Claire rang a bell. Michael shares chambers with my old friend James Bregman who used to weekend here. It was the Claires he sold his cottage on the harbour to, about fifteen years ago, I think.’ She stopped. ‘James was a close friend of Nell’s, as I’m sure you know.’ Her mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
Finch was puzzled. No, he didn’t. Nell had always told him everything, but he’d never heard of James Bregman.
‘Hope I haven’t spoken out of turn?’ Jenny said, a concerned frown on her face, which didn’t seem entirely genuine to Finch.
