‘Ah, not really. Her father had a heart attack and we travelled out to look after him. He’s just sleeping. Hold on, I’ll move to a different room.’
Liv felt guilty for calling. ‘Oh, gosh. I’m so sorry… Is he okay?’
‘Things have been precarious but are looking a little brighter. I’ve arranged to work out here remotely until he improves some more. My colleagues will be looking after some of my other clients.’ He let out a small sigh. ‘How are you? Is everything going okay?’
‘It doesn’t really matter…’
‘It’s fine, go ahead. It’s nice to talk to someone other than doctors.’
It didn’t feel right to ask him about Dubfest up front. ‘Well, I’ve been working hard on Essie’s novel. Things are going okay, but I’m stuck on Georgia’s hero.’ As Liv said it, she wondered how on earth the solicitor could help with her writing, but he responded kindly.
‘I took note of something Essie told me once,’ he said. ‘If you meet something insurmountable, don’t try and fight it. It will only leave you with bruises.The trick is to outsmart it and do something it wouldn’t expect.’
Liv jotted it down. It was as if Anthony hung on to Essie’s words. She had no idea how to relate them to Book Twenty.
‘They’ve proved helpful throughout my career,’ Anthony added.
‘It sounds like you’ve known her for a long time,’ she said.
He didn’t speak for a while. ‘Ah, yes, I got your question on my voicemail asking how we met. Essie and Iwerefriends once, a long time ago. We kept in touch sporadically over the years, and I eventually became her solicitor.’
Liv looked at the Dubfest photo again. Was she really looking at two close friends, or lovers? ‘Did you ever go to Croatia with Essie?’ she said.
Anthony’s breathing grew shallower. ‘Not that I can recall,’ he said a little curtly.
She opened her mouth to push back, but then thought about his poorly father-in-law. It didn’t seem the right time to quiz him further. ‘Oh, okay. No worries,’ she said reluctantly.
‘Anything else?’
Liv swallowed. She wanted to ask him about the bee-shaped cufflinks, too, but didn’t want to needle him. She approached her next words softly. ‘Yes, a journalist called Chloe Anderton came to Essie’s flat, asking questions,’ she said. ‘She’s writing a magazine article. I know it’s not the best time to tell you, but I thought you’d want to know.’
‘Did you talk to her?’ Anthony said.
‘Not about Essie. But she got in touch with Ted Mason and seems determined.’
‘Nothing must come out about Essie’s death,’ Anthony said,sounding like a headmaster. ‘Not before the first of November. She was very firm about that date.’
‘I know. Chloe won’t hear anything from me.’
‘Good. You have Essie’s will to think of. Actually, she… ah, inserted a proviso.’
Liv frowned at the word. She knew what it meant but had no use for it before. ‘For me?’ she said.
‘Yes. Everything must be kept private, or you won’t receive your inheritance.’
A knot in Liv’s belly pulled tight. Any money Essie left her could help out her family, and maybe even turn her fortunes around. ‘I’m committed to this,’ she said. ‘Why would Ess—’
‘Sorry, I’ve got to go,’ Anthony said quickly. ‘Harriet is calling me.’
The phone went dead and Liv pressed it to her lips. She hadn’t meant to irritate him. It wasn’t her fault Chloe was being a nuisance. Perhaps she shouldn’t have mentioned Dubfest when Anthony was under a lot of stress.
She sent him a quick text to try to clear the air.
I have everything under control. Nothing to worry about. I hope your father-in-law is okay.
He didn’t reply.
And, after a few more days without a response, Liv couldn’t help thinking Anthony was keeping something from her, and she wondered what it was.
