Over a breakfast of toast and coffee she read the one from Amelia. There was nothing worrying in the short message, hope you’re feeling a little better, I’m here if you need me. Molly put the phone on the table beside her and sat a moment with her brow furrowed before reaching for it and pressing the speed dial key for DI Fanshawe.

‘Fanshawe.’ His voice was deep, calm. Reassuring.

Molly felt herself relax. ‘Detective Inspector Fanshawe, it’s Molly Chatwell.’

‘Good morning, Mrs Chatwell. I hope you’re recovering. What can I do for you?’

She took a deep breath and let it out noisily. ‘Amelia Lovell came around yesterday,’ she said, keeping her voice steady with difficulty. ‘I think she may have tried to kill me again.’

Molly expected a quick response, horrified words, sympathy. Instead, there was a long silence. ‘Inspector, did you hear what I said?’

Did she imagine it or was the tone of his voice less friendly? ‘Yes, I heard you.’ There was another brief silence before he spoke again. ‘It’s probably better if I come and see you.’ There was the sound of muffled voices, the clunk as a drawer was shut, a rattle she couldn’t identify, and a deep indrawn breath she certainly could. ‘I’ll call this afternoon, about four.’

He hung up before she could argue. She glared at her mobile and dropped it on the sofa. Four… a whole day to get through. She’d have a shower and get dressed, cling to the normality of routine. Her phone beeped as she reached the door. She turned with a grunt, wanting to ignore it, incapable of doing so. Then she was sorry she hadn’t. It was a text from Stuart Mercer.

We have to meet. ASAP.

A long groan escaped her. This was too much to take on now. She tapped out a short message, I’m afraid not, then deleted it and wrote, Meet you tomorrow in Casper’s. At eleven? She pressed send and stood waiting for a reply. It came within seconds. See you then.

She was probably crazy to go; she gave a quick laugh – certainly crazy to go to Casper’s but it was the first name that had popped into her head. Or maybe it was a touch of bravado. She wasn’t sure. Anyway, it would be good to forget about her mixed-up life for a while and focus on Jack’s problems. He had been so understanding, she owed him. Hopefully, Stuart would be able to tell her what was going on.

If by sorting out whatever was troubling Jack would help him completely forgive her, that was okay too.

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