‘I hope you don’t mind my asking, Mr Chowdhury, but how can you be so sure of what happened?’
‘Because, ma’am, I was standing in the alcove in the hallway downstairs, hiding ma’am. I saw it all happen with my own two eyes.’
Relief flooded Annabel as she and James drove away from the nursing home a short while later. She felt giddy with delight.
‘I knew that Dotty couldn’t be a murderer!’ she told James as he drove. ‘I just knew it couldn’t have been true. I’m just so glad that we now know the truth for sure. Thank you so much for finding Ravi, James, you have no idea how much it means to me to have been able to talk to him and know for sure.’
James smiled and nodded thoughtfully, eyes fixed on the road ahead. ‘But your grandmother didn’t know, did she? The poor lady blamed herself and had to live with the guilt, thinking that she’d killed him.’
‘Oh Lord, yes.’ Annabel sighed as realisation dawned. ‘Poor Dotty! She must have had that on her conscience for the rest of her life. How awful that after everything he did and everything he put her through, it seems that Douglas Llewellyn didn’t even stop troubling her after his death. He had to have the final say, didn’t he, to win in the end.’
‘But he didn’t win, did he?’
Annabel frowned. ‘What do you mean? Dotty spent the rest of her life thinking herself a murderer. I’d say for a man who seemed hellbent on making her life a misery, he’d clock that up as a victory.’
James shook his head. ‘Your grandmother had a long and happy life. She had a devoted husband, a loving son and, from how you’ve described it, a beautiful home.’
He turned and gave her a wry smile. ‘I’d call that a win, wouldn’t you?’
The taxi pulled up outside the hotel later that evening and Annabel gasped. The Raffles Hotel really was like something out of a movie, with all the opulence and elegance of a bygone era. She was instantly captivated by its beautiful, whitewashed facade and its classic colonial design spoke of sophisticated, old-world charm.
A very tall Sikh doorman dressed in a turban and full, extravagant livery opened the car door and welcomed them to the hotel. He ushered them up the steps and through the main door. Tom gave their reservation details to the receptionist while Emma and Annabel explored the lobby.
It was an oasis in the heart of the city, Annabel mused as she looked around. She felt instantly soothed by the calming atmosphere, her senses delighted on every level. Delicate music was coming from a harp in the corner and she breathed in the intoxicating scent of lilies in an enormous display of fresh flowers. She looked up and took in the beautiful galleried landings that surrounded the central atrium. White pillars rose from floor to high ceiling and, in the middle, a magnificent chandelier sparkled with hundreds of twinkling lights.
Ceiling fans and potted palms added to the air of old-world colonial refinement. The greenery continued through the glass doors at the side, which led to lush, tropical gardens beyond. Rich, opulent decor adorned the lobby, with antique furniture and intricately designed carpets. Raffles Hotel really was the last word in timeless elegance and sophistication.
‘What do you think? It’s quite something, isn’t it?’ Emma asked with a wide grin. ‘I thought you’d like it!’
Annabel returned the grin and linked arms with her friend. For a moment, she was lost for words, overwhelmed by the hotel’s beauty and charm. ‘I love it! It’s absolutely stunning,’ she finally managed. ‘And thank you for the dress, you’re a lifesaver!’ She looked down at the cornflower-blue shift dress that her friend had lent her.
Emma chuckled. ‘You look gorgeous in it, that colour really suits you! And, to be honest, since the twins, I’m afraid I’ve struggled to fit into it!’
The hotel staff were courteous, attentive and impeccably dressed. They showed the trio to their table in the Tiffin Room, named after the old colonial tradition, and Tom ordered a round of Singapore Slings.
The design of the Tiffin Room was similar to the lobby with its high ceilings, white pillars and ornamental lighting. Displays of blue and white porcelain adorned the shelves around the room and diners sat on old colonial-style rattan chairs. It was stylish and elegant and the soft music playing further enhanced the mood.
‘Cheers!’ Tom called as they raised their glasses.
Annabel was soon feeling mellow and happy with Emma and Tom. Conversation flowed easily, with Tom sharing tales from the office and Emma describing an amusing music lesson with her year one students earlier in the day.
The waiter came to take their order and Annabel looked at her watch. There was no sign of James. She found herself feeling disappointed. It was her last night in Singapore and he had been such an enormous help that it didn’t feel right to leave without a proper goodbye. He had mentioned that he had animportant call to make this evening, but had hoped that he would have it wrapped up in time for dinner.
A short while later, the waiter arrived with the first two plates and Annabel breathed in the delicious aroma of the Singapore Laksa they had ordered, spicy and fragrant. After a couple of minutes, she felt him approach behind her again, presumably with the third and final plate, but it was a different, deeper voice that spoke.
‘I’m so sorry I’m late!’
Annabel turned and beamed when she saw that it was James. He forced a smile, but beneath it she could see that he was tense and agitated. She suspected that his meeting had not gone well.
‘Ah, you made it! Good on you, mate!’ Tom cheered, before calling over the waiter and ordering a beer and a menu for his friend.
Annabel tried to steady her heart rate as James made his greetings. What was happening to her? She felt like a nervous teenager. He was looking handsome in beige chinos and a navy-blue shirt, open at the collar. He bent down to kiss Emma on the cheek and then came over to Annabel. She breathed in his scent and felt herself colour when he whispered in her ear, ‘You look beautiful.’
James caught them up with the drinks and soon seemed more relaxed. Emma and Tom were keen to hear about their explorations earlier in the day and Annabel told them all about her trip to Changi Museum, the visit to Ravi Chowdhury and their final stops of the day.
‘You won’t believe it, but we visited the street where Dotty lived. Her family home, I mean, where she lived with her parents when they first moved here, on Nassim Road.’
‘Oh, I know where that is, near the Botanic Gardens.’ Tom nodded.
