Imogen nods gravely as she chases a cherry tomato around the plate with her fork. ‘The police have evidence that the fire was started on purpose, and they think that Dorothea was pushed down the stairs.’
‘And now you’re living in the house? Is that safe?’
‘I think so. I hope so …’ Imogen’s eyes cloud over, which makes Alison wonder what else she’s hiding.
‘What?’
‘It’s nothing. It’s safe, yes.’
‘Well,’ Alison says, swallowing a mouthful of sourdough, feeling like it might choke her. ‘I’m pleased for you. What does Josh think? He must be over the moon.’ Alison has never taken to Josh, truth be told – although she’s never said as much to Imogen. She prides herself on getting the measure of people, yet Josh is ahard one to read. It doesn’t help that he keeps her and Gareth at arm’s length, never making an effort to get to know them even though he’s been with Imogen since they were eighteen. Alison had voiced her concerns to her sister when she said she was following Josh to Nottingham University. Imogen hadn’t listened, of course, and it had all worked out fine, but she wonders if Josh harbours some resentment towards Alison because he knows she didn’t approve. Imogen insists on spending every Christmas with Josh and Jackie (‘because she’s on her own’) and Alison gets it, she does. Jackie is a surrogate mother, just like Gareth’s family are to her. Apparently – according to her sister – Josh doesn’t like large groups and, she suspects, he doesn’t much like kids. Every time Alison asks her sister about marriage and babies she is dismissive, trotting out the same story about how Josh doesn’t believe in marriage after his dad abandoned him, but maybe kids one day. Alison can’t help but feel it’s all an excuse. Which is fine, if Imogen is happy.
‘He is over the moon. We moved in yesterday. It’s going to take a bit of getting used to. I haven’t told him everything, about Dorothea.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I’ve said about the arson. Not about her being pushed. He worries.’
An uneasy feeling washes over Alison. Why is Imogen keeping things from Josh? She tells Gareth everything.
‘What about your job? Won’t it be a bit of a commute to Bristol every day?’
Imogen shifts. ‘It’s about an hour at that time of day. Anyway, it won’t matter because I’m … er … taking a break.’ Imogen flushes and takes a sip of her drink.
‘But you love being a journalist!’
‘It’s … just for a bit.’ She puts the glass down but she’s avoiding eye contact. ‘I might go freelance. I haven’t decided yet.’
Another jab of envy hits Alison under the ribs. She’d love to take time out from working.
Imogen finally meets Alison’s eyes. ‘Hey, why don’t you come back with me and you can see the villa?’ And then her face falls. ‘Only if you want to. I don’t want it to look like I’m …’
‘Rubbing my face in it?’ Alison laughs to take the sting out of her words. ‘I’m pleased for you. Honestly.’ And she really is trying to be. ‘It’s about time something good happened to our family. Some light in all that darkness.’
‘Thanks, Ali. I would really love to help you out, though. I don’t need all the money.’
Alison shakes her head. ‘No way. Gareth would never hear of it. It would wound his stupid male pride. You know what men are like. Josh must be the same?’
‘Nope. Not Josh. He’s only too happy to embrace my new-found wealth. Lila, then. Can I do something for her? Give her some money? Put it in savings?’
Alison hesitates. ‘Look. Let things settle first. You don’t know how much money the upkeep of a Regency villa is going to take. If you still want to do something for Lila in the future, then that would be lovely, thank you.’
Imogen’s expression floods with relief and Alison knows this will go some way to appeasing her sister’s guilt. Although Alison has got enough guilt of her own to contend with.
‘Now there’s something I need to tell you,’ Alison says.
10
Imogen
Alison’s expression is grave and my guts twist in apprehension. ‘So what is it? What was so urgent to make you come all this way on the train?’ I ask in a bid to keep things light.
Alison very rarely visits. I’m always the one trekking over to see her in Cardiff. I assumed it was because of Lila, although I know my niece would love Bristol – and now Bath – but I wonder if it’s because Bristol especially holds too many bad memories for Alison.
She looks down at her plate. She’s hardly touched her food. She mumbles something.
‘What did you say?’
Alison glances up, her eyes softening. ‘I went to visit Dad in prison.’
