The English hate financial impropriety even more than they hate queue jumpers, so I don’t think we’ll be seeing Mrs Pembury again. It’s a shame, really, as I think we would’ve got on well, given different circumstances.
I also receive a phone call from my solicitor, and although it’ll take months for the will to be executed, she gives me positive news about Hollis’s will. He did indeed die intestate, and as his wife, I am the sole heir. If this isn’t challenged, I’ll be able to afford to buy my Hampstead house. I feel newly rich and head to Harrods in the afternoon to spend some money. We’d been there before Christmas and the children had enormous fun. I buy a large panda for Nelly, which costs nearly £600, a lot for a soft toy but what price love? Nathan’s cuddly octopus is £700 – the additional price probably due to extra limbs, or tentacles as he would tell me.
I’m not completely altruistic as I manage to spend £4,500 on a dress for myself. I’m not even sure if I like it, but that’s what being rich is all about, not having to care. I get a taxi all the way home and find Aimée reading to Nelly and Nathan in French. It is rather an idyllic scene and I think she’s bonded with them rather well. Even the most inadequate person can surprise you.
I give them their gifts, which are popular, and hug them. I don’t know why, but I don’t want to let go. Our idyllic moment is ruined, however, when the police appear. I know what they’re going to say, so I stand in the doorway and allow DS Birch to elaborate.
‘We found Mercer.’
‘You did?’ I say, worried momentarily.
‘Well, we found his phone, notebook, and his blood was all over his phone.’
‘Where?’
‘Matthew Hollis had a rented flat in Hackney. We didn’t know anything about it but got an anonymous tip-off. Someone must’ve seen his picture in the papers.’
Yes, I think to myself,I wonder who that was.
‘By the look of things, Hollis might have killed Mercer and thrown him in the Thames.’
‘Like he tried to do to me.’
‘People repeat patterns,’ says DC Mattoo, nodding.
‘They were probably in dispute about money. We just wanted you to know.’
‘I’m grateful, Detective. I expect his body’s been dragged out to sea by now.’
DS Birch stares at me. There’s a hunger in there still undiminished. An instinct that she can’t quite itch.
‘Anything else?’ I ask.
‘No, not for now,’ she says.
‘It’s been nice getting to know you,’ says DC Mattoo.
I watch them head back down the path and feel a sense of peace and inner satisfaction.
Chapter85Reader
One of my favourite places in Muswell Hill is the bench beside the ancient oak tree in the Grove. Look one way and you can see the whole of London spread out against the sky. Look the other way and you see parkland and an avenue of limes. History has it that Dr Johnson himself once walked along this avenue. These days, there is a constant stream of water from some unplugged leak, and a cattle-drive of buggies, dogs and toddlers.
Stephen joins me and hands me a coffee from the Grove Café. He’s dressed in his most casual attire, and I can’t help feeling a simple attraction to him, like two magnets drawn together. I want to hold him and be held by him. I have this feeling of comfort in his company. Perhaps it’s my pregnancy, but given our recent interactions, feeling anything positive is an achievement.
‘You wanted to meet,’ I say, looking into his clear blue eyes.
He says, rather sheepishly, ‘I read her diary. Beginning to end.’
‘Well, it looks like we’ve both been taken advantage of by scurrilous lovers. I had mine killed, what did you do with yours?’
‘I suggested we break it off,’ he says. ‘She plans on going back to Dubai. Finding a wealthy partner in London since the Russians left is a nightmare, apparently.’
‘Death or Dubai has a ring to it, don’t you think?’
‘I’ve been a fool, Lalla. I had no idea how manipulative sheis or, more importantly, how weak and stupid I am. I don’t know what to say.’
‘I’ve heard the done thing in such circumstances is to say sorry.’
