“The baby’s heartbeat.” Keren bit her lips together to try to stop her mouth from tearing in two with the smile that was erupting. Her eyes filled with tears. “He listens to it loads. It’s been two days since he found out and I think he’s played it about a hundred times.”
“You’re both thrilled.”
Keren nodded. “Except I have no home and I’m involved in an ongoing police investigation with the perpetrator still at large.”
“Let’s talk baby first. You’re happy?”
She was. In fact, it was all she could think about. Names, cribs, clothes, baby’s bedrooms – even though she didn’t have a house. “Massively. Obviously, it was unplanned and a huge surprise but we’re not two teenagers.”
“You’re doing it together? I mean, obviously you’re doingittogether, but you’re co-parenting? Have you thought about houses?” Sorrell headed towards the wine. Keren not drinking clearly wasn’t going to stop her. “This place is lovely, but it isn’t child friendly.”
“I know. We’re kind of in the throes of shock and excitement at the moment. Scott’s been amazing, Ells. He’s just been incredible.” He’d had moments of panic when he’d questioned whether he was up to parenting that she’d found endearing because she felt the same, then he’d been attentive and caring. She’d been up at half past four with morning sickness, very early morning sickness, both days she’d been here and he’d been there with her, holding back her hair and rubbing her back, then cuddling her when they got back into bed.
“He’s from good stock. Are you happy, despite your house?”
“Yes. I’m scared too.”
“I think that’s normal. Tell me about the investigation.” Sorrell sat back down, glass in hand.
“It’s being treated as arson. They found accelerant in the house and it turns out that Jean’s back door didn’t lock properly. She would wedge it shut at night with a doorstop. According to Alex, they or him - or her - came in that way and trailed it through from the back to the chimney. Jonny’s leading the fire side of the investigation with an expert.” Keren curled her feet under her, feeling sleepy. She’d had Monday off work, bringing in a locum dentist to cover her patients, but she’d been back in today.
“Is it connected to the graffiti?” Sorrell sipped at her drink. “Or Lena’s sister’s attack?”
“It seems too much of coincidence not to be. Alex has been up to Felley Manor to speak to the church members there. I know there are extra patrols. What’s Lena said?” Keren hadn’t seen Lena since Gran’s Gin party on Saturday. She was Sorrell’s right hand woman up at the hotel, so she was surprised Sorrell didn’t have more information.
“She’s been off work to check on her aunt. She’s back tomorrow so I’ve no doubt I’ll get the full report then. What’s happening with your house?”
“The insurance company is expediting it. The police have been supportive too. I’ll use the pay-out to put straight down on a bigger property. One with room for a huge dog and a really good security system. It’s made me nervous.” She’d been waking up dreaming that she’d been smelling smoke. Scott had calmed her agitation, but she was becoming all too aware of what would’ve happened had the smoke alarm not been working.
“You know it will be okay.” Sorrell put her glass down on the table. “You have a town looking after you.”
“Except there’s somebody in it who’s not wanting to look after anyone. They’re wanting to cause someone harm.”
17
Scott was surprised to see his dad in the bar on a Tuesday night, especially at this time of year. It was spring, which meant the farm was busy with lambs and calves being born, plus there was the expansion of the horticultural side and the constant harvesting. His presence meant that something was on his mind.
“Dad,” he said as his father approached. “What can I get you?”
“A pint of Tan Lad.” He chose the speciality beer. “Business looks good.”
Scott nodded. “It’s booming at the moment. Debating buying next door and expanding. Having a bigger place for gigs and maybe a function room.”
“Beer tasting. Or beer pairing. I was reading about some Scottish brewery, crowdfunded like what the coven have done, and they do beer pairing with cheese.”
It wasn’t a bad idea. His father always said he was just a farmer and his brother was the business man, the brains behind the small empire the Maynards had built, but Scott wasn’t convinced. His dad saw detail and opportunity the same way he knew Keren noticed poor dental hygiene. Their child was possibly going to have the best set of teeth in their school.
He hid a smile. The past couple of days had been a trial in keeping himself contained. Usually he wanted to keep his business to himself, but this was something else. He was excited, thrilled, more than a bit scared and completely and utterly in love with Beanie.
And maybe Beanie’s mother.
“I’ll give that some thought. Maybe speak to Sorrell, or her new chef.” He placed his dad’s pint in front of him. “What brings you here on a Tuesday.”
“I thought I’d pop in to see how my eldest son was doing now he was living with a woman. And see how that woman was after being caught in a fire.”
Scott nodded, grabbing a cloth and wiping down the bar. He had told Zack about Keren being pregnant. He’d needed to share it with someone and his brother would only tell Sorrell, who was probably trying to ply Keren with something alcoholic to get her to confess. Refusal of alcohol was always suspicious.
And he wanted to tell his dad. He was a good man, and he’d been a good father. This was his first grandchild and despite the fact that Beanie wasn’t planned, his dad would be quietly very proud to have his first grandchild.
