Neil said, ‘No. I’m just saying this isn’t a research project, Clare. It’s a commercial excavation. Nobody would blame you for just doing what’s needed to get by.’

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

‘The way I see it, if Neil hadn’t intervened you would’ve found yourself in a whole heap of trouble.’ Jo handed Clare her glass of Pinot and deposited herself and her rum and Coke in the corner seat opposite her.

It had been a long and difficult day and both women had been glad to retreat to the sanctuary of the King’s Arms at the end of it.

‘Like I told Neil, Marshall is just a schoolyard bully. He’s all bark and no bite.’

Jo tucked a stray strand of her unruly blonde hair behind her ear. ‘Are you sure about that, Clare? He looked pretty darn serious from where I was standing.’

Clare shook her head. ‘He’s all bluster. And I’m damned if I’m going to do what Neil suggests and trash the site just to placate Marshall.’

Jo said, ‘Now hang on a minute, Clare. From what you told me that’s not exactly what Neil was suggesting, is it? From where I’m sitting I’d say he was just trying to help out. And you’ve seen for yourself what Neil’s like at the moment. I don’t know what’s eating at him, but he’s been on a real downer the last couple of weeks.’

Jo opened a packet of cheese and onion crisps and proffered one to Clare.

Clare shook her head and instead took a sip of her Pinot. ‘I think I might know what the problem is.’

‘Oh.’

‘He’s having trouble on the home front. I heard him on the phone the other day having a row with Sadie.’

Jo asked, ‘What about?’

‘Money. Or rather the lack of it.’

Jo said, ‘Ah, the age-old problem. Being a shovel bum might make you happy, but it’s never gonna make you rich.’

‘Only in this case it doesn’t seem to be making him happy either.’

‘It’s tough for all of us at times. However much we love what we do.’

Clare added, ‘And Neil’s got no job security. When he finishes here, who knows when he’ll next pick up any work. And with a young baby …’

Jo said, ‘Well, there you go, that accounts for it.’ Jo paused. ‘And don’t forget Beth. He’d known her for years. I know he doesn’t show it, but he must have been pretty freaked about what happened.’

‘True. He doesn’t like to talk about it. But Beth’s death does seem to have had a big impact on him.’