‘Don’t you remember Kevin and Jeanette Cater?’
‘Kevin Cater … Yes, I think that is who we sold to.’
‘You used to work with him.’
‘No, I didn’t.’
‘He worked at CEMA while you and Flora were there.’
‘Did he?’ Lewis looks mildly interested in this coincidence. ‘You could be right, but I didn’t know him. Flora might have. Beth, are you all right? You’re starting to worry me.’
‘I’m fine. Do you have a current photo of Georgina? I’d like to see one.’
‘Not with me, no.’
‘None on your phone?’
‘No.’
‘How come?’
‘Do you know about Georgina?’ Lewis asks. ‘I suppose you might have found out if you’ve been scouring the UK in search of Flora.’
‘What’s there to know?’
‘That she died,’ Lewis says simply. ‘Which … you knew. Okay. Did Flora’s parents tell you?’
‘Why did you lie to me? I asked you how old she was now and you said twelve.’
‘I didn’t want to discuss the death of my daughter with someone who’s not part of my life any more. My aim was to get on to a new subject as swiftly as possible. I miscalculated, clearly, because now we’re having the conversation I didn’t want to have, only face to face.’
No.He sounds so plausible, but it can’t be true. Or rather, what he’s told me so far might be true but he’s saying it to obscure the bigger truth, whatever that is. If he really had nothing to hide, why would he allow someone he hasn’t spoken to for twelve years to intrude into his morning with a barrage of strange questions? He wouldn’t. He’d ask me to leave.
‘I’m sorry Georgina died,’ I say.
‘Thank you. Me too.’ Lewis smiles sadly. ‘This game turned out to be less fun than I hoped it would be.’
‘Tell me the truth, Lewis. Please.’
‘I just have.’
‘The whole truth.’ I’m not scared to push him further. What’s he going to do, leap out of his chair and punch me? I’m assuming he cares what the people in this building think of him and so wouldn’t risk it. ‘If you and Flora are still married, why are there no photos of her on your Instagram? Why is she living with Kevin Cater in your old house, and calling herself Jeanette? Whose are the two children that live in that house? They’re yours and Flora’s, aren’t they? So why are they living with Kevin Cater? I’veseenthem, Lewis. I know you’re their father.’
‘Are you lonely, Beth?’
‘No. I’m not lonely at all.’
‘Are you fulfilled?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘You’ve flown all the way from England to sit in my office and fire strange accusations at me. They do sound like accusations, whether that’s your intention or not – as if you’re a TV detective trying to crack a case. Which casts me in the role of “villain you’ve exposed, about to be locked up at Her Majesty’s pleasure”. In fact, I’m someone who’s done nothing wrong and who used to be your friend. Whose third child died tragically many years ago, and who didn’t and doesn’t want to talk about that with someone he’s no longer close to. There’s nothing in mylife that justifies a manic interrogation, so … this has to be about whatever’s going on with you. I’m wondering if you’re okay.’
I decide to try a new tactic. ‘Tell me the truth, Lewis. I don’t much care what it is. All I want is to know. People are trying to tell me I didn’t see something I know I saw, and I’ve had enough. At least confirm that it was Flora I saw, even if you won’t tell me anything else.’
A flicker of impatience passes across his face. ‘Beth, I can take you to Flora right now if you like.’
‘She might be in Florida now, but she wasn’t the two times I saw her.’
