‘That there’d been an accident, coal everywhere,’ snapped Lilith, glaring at Roz. ‘I’d wager a pound to a penny that this is your doing.’

Much to Roz’s surprise, Callum spoke on her behalf. ‘Don’t be so bloody wet! How the hell could she do that? She’s been with us the whole time.’

Lilith glared at Roz, whose face remained impassive. ‘Probably her idea of a joke.’

‘And why,’ sighed Callum, who was clearly regretting having to live with three women, ‘would anyone do that?’

‘To get me rushin’ around like a headless chicken!’ hissed Lilith.

‘Perhaps one of the other lorries has had an accident, and the boy made a mistake,’ suggested Roz, as nobody else seemed to be coming to that conclusion.

‘There you go,’ said Callum, his patience wearing thin. ‘Seeing as you’re here you may as well come with us.’

They spent the rest of the journey in steely silence, with Lilith quietly seething in the passenger seat, and Roz fighting the urge to laugh out loud. She relaxed a little knowing that it would be a good few hours before they returned to the yard. She smiled to herself. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Felix found her necklace!

CHAPTER FOUR

Felix sat on the wall outside the tobacconist’s, swinging his legs to and fro as he waited for Roz. He slipped the gold chain complete with its Star of David from one hand to the other, watching the spring sunshine catch the points of the star as he did so. He had thought that finding the necklace would be the best outcome, but now he wasn’t so sure. Roz already knew that she lived with immoral liars, but this? This was something else. His head snapped up as he heard her hail him from across the road. Smiling, he slid down from his perch and walked over to greet her.

‘Well?’ she asked, her tone laced with hope.

In answer he held up his hand and released the star so that it slid down the chain.

Roz let out a cry of delight as she cupped her hands to receive the precious piece of jewellery. ‘You clever, clever man! Where on earth was it?’ Her smile vanished when she saw the rueful look on his face.

Felix explained that he had found the necklace stuffed in between the pillows of the bed next to Roz’s own. He ran his tongue over his bottom lip. ‘I’m afraid it couldn’t have got in there by accident; I had to remove both pillows from the case before I saw it.’

Roz stared at him in dismay. ‘I can’t say I’m surprised because I know what Suzie’s like, but to steal from someone who lives with you?’ She shook her head. ‘I don’t reckon even Callum would do that.’

‘I daresay she’s never seen anything like it before,’ Felix said, then added hastily, ‘and I know it’s not an excuse, but she probably couldn’t help herself.’