‘I can sort myself out,’ snaps Amelia. ‘I’m not a baby.’
I bite back a sigh. ‘I know, honey. I just mean that you had Aunty Julia to supervise you while Dad and I were downstairs.’
Julia reaches out and touches my arm. ‘How are you?’ she asks, holding my gaze.
‘Muddling through. Where’s Nathan?’
Julia’s smile fades. ‘In bed. He hardly slept last night.’
‘I don’t think any of us did,’ I say sadly. The girls ended up in our bed last night. We sat up and watched TV – a family romcom to try to take our minds off the horror of the day – until the girls fell asleep. Then Adrian held me as I cried silent tears into the pillow, the TV screen turned to mute, flashing at the corner of my vision.
Julia averts her eyes. They’re puffy. What is going on between her and my brother? I wish she’d open up to me about it, but I know she won’t.
‘Also,’ I lean in closer to Julia, ‘I hope it’s okay to ask, but would you mind taking a look at Ruby later? She has all these health issues and I’m worried we’re totally unprepared. They’re still trying to get hold of her dad.’
‘Sure,’ says Julia, meeting my gaze again. ‘But I won’t know her medical history. You’ll have to set up a meeting with your GP about that at some point. They’ll be able to access Ruby’s records. Selena …’ she grimaces as if she’s swallowed something sharp ‘… she told me a bit, the other night, about Ruby’s issues. Mainly allergies, growth problems as a result of Crohn’s. She also said something about ME.’
‘That’s what she told me. I’ve never had to deal with anything like this before, thank goodness. I’m worried.’
‘We’re all here to help you,’ she says, smiling kindly.
‘Excuse me.’
I turn. Rachel is standing behind me. I make the introductions, then usher the girls out of the room. I don’t want them to know that Selena was killed. It would freak them out, especially Evie, who’s still convinced the house is haunted.
I hear Julia’s sharp intake of breath after Rachel’s spoken and assume she’s just told her that Selena was murdered. I don’t hear what else she says, although I’m sure all of the guests’ answers will be the same.They were asleep. They heard nothing.
Except someone must knowsomething. I think of the noose we found. Was it put there by the person who killed Selena? And had it been a threat aimed at her?
Rachel spends about an hour going from guest to guest, notebook poised. Mr Greyson, as predicted, looks as though he should have smoke coming out of his ears, like in one of Evie’s cartoons. I hear him mutter something about ‘impertinence’.
When Rachel’s finished she comes into the kitchen. Amelia and Evie are eating toast at the island.
‘Right. I’ve nearly finished speaking to everyone,’ she says.
‘What are you doing about Dean? Surely he’s a suspect,’ I ask.
‘That’s a matter for my DS, I’m afraid. I’m passing everything on to him. I just want to have a word with your mother, Kirsty. Where can I find her?’
‘She’s looking after Ruby,’ I say. I direct her to Apple Tree.
When she’s out of earshot Evie asks, ‘What’s a suspect?’
Amelia doesn’t say anything, just picks at the corner of her toast.
‘Um, well, it’s someone who might have committed –done,’ I clarify, ‘something bad.’
‘Has Dean done something bad?’
‘I don’t know, honey. Right,’ I say, wanting to change the subject. I clap my hands together. ‘Anyone want any Nutella with their toast?’
I’m placing the toast on the table when the dining-room door opens and Mum walks in with Ruby. She’s not wearing her leg braces, although she seems unsteady on her feet, like a puppy walking for the first time.
‘Ruby!’ Evie comes bounding out of the kitchen and rushes over to her, flinging her arms around her waist and almost knocking her off balance.
‘Careful,’ warns Mum, holding on to Ruby’s arm. Ruby returns the hug, her little face pinched with grief. I want to wrap her in my arms and keep her safe. I glance up at Mum, who’s wearing the same expression as Ruby.
‘Can I have a word in private?’ Mum says to me, inclining her head towards the door. I help Ruby to the table so that she’s sitting beside Evie.
