Johnny narrowed his eyes. “Did you hear that on the radio, Maman?”
She pouted and looked up at him. “No, these are wise words from your mother.”
“It’s a sin to lie, you know.”
She scoffed and poked him in the ribs. “Coming from someone that hasn’t been to church in nearly six months. I have to keep putting Pastor Leke off by telling him you’re busy with work. Mon Dieu, you used to have such a lovely voice. You know, I think there’s a spot opening up in the choir.”
Johnny laughed. “You know as well as I do that going to church doesn’t make me a good Christian any more than going to hospital makes me a doctor. As for the choir, that’ll be a hard no, but thanks, Maman.”
She tutted but was smiling. “Well, if you won’t come to church, will you accompany your old mum into the woods? I want to watch the sunset from our place on the crags.”
“Sure,” he said, holding her tight. “I will.”
CHAPTER 18
APPLEWOOD HEIGHTS
Johnny
Fishing.Who thought thatfishingwas a good idea with a nine-, eleven- and twelve-year-old? Kofi, that’s who, and Johnny realised that Chichi’s husband was more of a masochist than he could have ever imagined.
Taylor dipped out early—something about wanting to fix the car before Blake took a bat to their kneecaps—and honestly, Johnny could have taken a bat tohiskneecaps for that, but he let him go.
Taylor didn’t look right. In fact, he hadn’t looked right all weekend and had spent most of the time either at Bell Lane, in Papa’s garage or out in the woods on his own.
When Monday rolled around Johnny was actually glad to be back at work, even as Wendy belted out ‘The Power of Love’ as they patrolled the back roads around the town.
When the power ballad concluded she elbowed Johnny in the ribs. “Anyway, I say we pop to Scott’s, check the cellar for squatters then up into the woods for a nice afternoon stroll. Whaddya say, JP?”
Scott’s was a bakery on the high street, and every Friday, without fail, Wendy insisted they check the cellar. There were never any squatters. In fact, Johnny wasn’t convinced there had ever been any squatters, but he did know that Wendy’s favourite food was scones. And fresh scones were always put out on a Friday morning.
Johnny checked his watch. Ten thirty. “Actually, I was thinking we could head to the other side of town today.”
Wendy’s eyes narrowed. “Theotherside of town? You mean… You don’t actually mean?—”
“Applewood Heights. Yes.”
Thatlittle cluster of houses was quaintly named after fruit trees.
Wendy sniffed. “I think you’re just asking for trouble, JP. You know who’s housed there, don’t you?”
“Yes, Wendy. The ex-convicts.”
Wendy grimaced. “And youwantto go? Voluntarily?”
Johnny shrugged, shifting in his seat. “Why not? I’m still getting to know the area. Plus, if Sylvester is linked to Jill somehow then so are his scummy little friends.”
“JP, maybe you better get Taylor. This seems like his kind of thing.”
Johnny shook his head, drumming his fingers across the steering wheel.
“Why not? You two haven’t fallen out again, have you? I thought things seemed a little frosty this morning, but I just assumed?—”
“We’re fine.”
“Then why did you go out and wash all the cars first thing, even though they were only done on Friday? And why was Taylor throwing around a crate of cat food like he was competing in the world’s strongest man?”
“He was feeding the hedgehogs, Wendy. Plus, the cars were filthy.”
