‘What do you want me do?’
Libby thought about it for a second. ‘It might be better if I’m on my own. There’s a coffee shop down that side street. I’ll meet you in there.’
‘Okay,’ he agreed, kissing her on the cheek as the bus pulled up at the stop outside the care home.
Libby wasn’t sure what she was going to do or say. She watched Jenny step off the bus and begin to walk towards the entrance of the care home.
Deciding what to do next was taken out of Libby’s hands. Just as she was about to call out, Jenny’s phone rang and she answered the call. Libby perched on the same stone wall as last time and watched.
Jenny was upbeat as she answered the call but her mood deteriorated fast. She stood on the edge of the pavement and looked up the road. Libby followed her gaze. The same car she’d seen Jenny with a couple of times before pulled up at Jenny’s side—and David stepped out. Libby couldn’t believe her eyes. Jenny looked alarmed and there was a heated exchange before David grabbed hold of her wrist, which she promptly shook free. Her voice was raised as she said, ‘You promised me the money. My mum’s fees need paying. You promised.’
David shushed her and leaned in. Libby couldn’t hear what he was saying but Jenny was visibly upset. A moment later David got back in the car and sped off, leaving Jenny evidently changing her mind about heading into the care home. She was now briskly walking down the street in the opposite direction. What the hell had just happened here? How did David know Jenny? Whatever was going on between them didn’t look pleasant. Libby took her chance and rang Flynn.
‘I think there’s something suspicious going on,’ she said as soon as Flynn picked up his mobile.
‘I know! I’ve just seen the newspaper. I’m fuming.’
‘Never mind that for now. Flynn, I’ve just seen something that may be of interest.’
‘Go on.’
‘David Mellor and Jenny. Together. Having some sort of argument in the street and it was possibly about money.’
There was a short silence on the other end of the phone.
‘I don’t think it’s a coincidence,’ added Libby. ‘There’s something not quite right here.’
‘I agree. The application forms are missing; the rumours regarding the skating were exaggerated and now there’s this article in the newspaper.’
‘I heard Jenny say that David promised her money and that her mum’s fees need paying. Why would David be paying the fees? What’s the connection between them? Are they related, do you think?’
‘I don’t know but I think I’m going to pay her a visit. Do you fancy coming with me?’
‘Can do, but…’ A thought suddenly struck Libby. ‘I need to check something out first before Miranda turns up for her dress fitting. Let’s go this afternoon.’
Libby hung up and hurried towards the coffee shop, where she found Guy had ordered a couple of pastries and coffees. ‘We need to get these for takeaway.’ Libby waved towards the assistant.
Guy glanced up. ‘Where’s the fire?’
‘I’ve just had a thought and we’ve not got long to check it out.’
Thanking the assistant, who passed Libby a coffee and a cinnamon swirl inside a white paper bag, Guy followed Libby out of the coffee shop.
‘What’s going on?’ he asked, trying to keep up.
‘I’ve just witnessed David and Jenny arguing in the street over money and I’m now convinced those invitations were tampered with. Those guests were invited on the wrong day to put Starcross Manor in a bad light, for some reason.’
‘But for what reason?’ quizzed Guy.
‘That I’m not sure of yet.’
‘And how are we going to know whether the invitations were or weren’t tampered with?’
‘Because you were filming in the studio when I sent the email to the printers. You may have captured something on the video that can help us check!’
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, they arrived back at Guy’s lodge and he pulled up two chairs in front of the monitor. He selected the right video footage and hooked it up to the TV.
