‘If this gentleman’s bothering you, I can summon help.’ Keeping her eyes on me, she nods at Dominic.
‘Everything’s fine, honestly. He’s my husband.’
‘That, I’m afraid, is no guarantee of anything,’ the woman says sternly.
I’m not sure how to reply. ‘There’s no problem, really.’
‘What can I do for you, then, if you don’t need help?’
‘My name’s Beth Leeson,’ I tell her. ‘This is going to sound a bit weird. I was here yesterday, and—’
‘I know you were.’
‘You do?’
‘Yes. You parked your car over there, as you have today, except it was a different car. You had a boy with you. Then you drove away, and returned a short while later without the boy.’
I smile at her. ‘You’re very observant.’
‘One needs to be.’
‘That was my son, Ben. I dropped him off at his football match and then I came back.’
‘What business do you have on Wyddial Lane?’
‘None, probably. That’s what I’m hoping you can help me with. I had some friends who lived next door, at number 16, a few years ago. Lewis and Flora Braid.’
‘Before my time. When did they leave? I’ve only been here three years.’
‘I’m not exactly sure. But … I’m assuming you know the names of the people who live in the house now?’
Her eyes narrow. ‘I do, yes.’
‘Are their names Lewis and Flora Braid?’
‘No. Didn’t you just tell me that your friends have moved away?’
‘Yes. I was pretty sure they had, but I wanted to check.’
‘Well, now you’ve checked. A different family lives in the house now. No one by the name of Braid.’
‘Thank you,’ says Dom. ‘That’s incredibly helpful to know.’
She gives him a curt nod.
‘Come on, Beth.’
‘Hold on. Would you mind telling me the name of the family that lives at number 16 now?’ I ask the woman.
‘I think I would, yes. I wouldn’t appreciate it if they gave my name to complete strangers. Why do you care what they’re called? I thought it was your friends the Braids you were interested in.’
‘It is,’ says Dom. ‘Thank you. Sorry for bothering you.’
‘Wait a second,’ I say. ‘Maybe if I tell you—’
‘Beth,’ says Dom forcefully. He puts his hand on my arm and tries to steer me away.
‘I’m not ready to leave yet,’ I snap at him. Great. Now the woman behind the gate will be confirmed in her suspicion that he’s a tyrannical wife-beater.
