‘Dand … Dan … iel there, is he?’ As much as Ash hates to think of Dandruff there, inhishouse, he doesn’t want Carla to be alone to process all of this.
‘Yes, he’s reading with Margo.’
Ash can hear the smile in her voice, but he doesn’t know if it’s because he called her partner by his name or because her partner has come back home. Ash hopes Dandruff had his tail between his legs, but he wouldn’t dream of saying this.
‘And how’s Margo?’
‘OK. Good of you to ask. Incredibly resilient, kids, aren’t they?’
He senses she’s keeping something from him. ‘Go on,’ he prompts her. ‘Out with it.’
‘I had Margo tested for Rohypnol at the hospital, you know, the date-rape drug?’
‘Seriously? Why—?’
‘Anyway, the tests came back negative. But I think Yvonne knows more than she’s letting on.’
‘I got that impression, too. At the hospital.’
‘Yes. You said. I think her sons – Jordan and Jasper – drugged Margo, and Yvonne kept Margo at Hilltop House for as long as possible in the hope that the drug would wear off and be eliminated from her system.’
‘Was Margo … did she …?’ Ash can’t finish his sentence.Christ, Ash. Make an effort. Try and be more articulate.
But, as usual, Carla has read his mind. ‘No. No signs of sexual abuse,’ she says. ‘I think those two budding juvenile delinquents must just have wanted to have a laugh. Or to see what the drug did. God only knows how they got hold of it.’
‘What made you think Margo was drugged in the first place?’ His tone has no hint of incredulity. If Carla’s convinced Margo was drugged, then she was. Ash doesn’t question her judgement for a moment.
‘Well, Margo was lethargic, dizzy, complained of a headache, couldn’t remember what had happened. Actually, Iris was the one who suggested it. She said there was a lot of Rohypnol about, even out here in the middle of nowhere. She also said one of her friends had been drugged.’
‘One of her friends? Is that what she said?’
‘Yes, I think so … No, hang on. Iris said it happened to someone she knew.’
His heart sputters as Carla’s words replay in his head.Iris said it happened to someone she knew.And then Ash recalls Olly’s words, from the conversation they had the last time his son stayed over, here at Mayflower Farm.Just some guy at a party.
‘Ash? Ash? Are you still there?’
‘Yes, sorry, Carla. I’m still here.’
‘What’s going on?’
‘I think I might …’ Ash pauses, runs the fingers of his free hand through his hair. Has he put two and two together and made five? ‘I’m not sure, but I may know who Iris meant.’
Chapter 37
Carla
NOW
Ash suggests we should talk to Iris about it together, but we don’t want her to feel cornered or ambushed. I’m not entirely sure it’s any of our business, to tell you the truth. So, in the end, we decide that I’ll broach the subject when the opportunity arises and when Iris and I are alone.
I think I may have my chance at the weekend. I moot the idea of going for a walk as the sun is out and Iris wants to take Cheddar to the ocean. Our dog loves swimming in the river and Iris wants to introduce him to the beach – at Saunton Sands. It’s a bit of a trek, twenty-odd miles from Holtleigh – but I think Iris also fancies the drive. At least there won’t be any holiday traffic at this time of year. No one else is interested in going, so the two of us get ready.
Iris’s car, though, starts to play up before we get anywhere near the beach. It judders going up a hill and at first, I put it down to Iris’s lack of experience as a driver.
‘Put your foot down,’ I say, as it slows practically to a halt.
‘I am,’ she growls.
