‘Arrested two days ago, I think, and now charged.’
He looked at her, wondering if he was beginning to understand.
‘Do you remember what you heard her say?’
‘Something about parachutes.’
‘And parachute is slang for …’ She moved in so close to him that her lips touched his ear and he felt her breath as the wind. ‘Crystal meth.’
‘Crys—’ She placed a forefinger across his lips. ‘How did the police get them?’
‘I wonder,’ she asked. They withdrew back into the bedroom. She locked the French windows. ‘I’ll leave you thinking about that. Not another word, please.’
‘Your mum’s calling again.’
‘She’s calling you now, look.’
Their phones had gradually slid closer to each other on the duvet, and Kim was right. It was now Edward’s phone that was flashing with Barbara’s name. He moved to pick it up, then looked at Kim to check. But she made no objection.
‘Hello?’
‘Edward? I’m so sorry to call. You know I don’t make a habit of it. I should probably call more often, ha. Look. I can’t find Kimb—’
Kim took the phone, waved an apologetic hand to Edward, and said: ‘I’m here Mum. What’s happened?’ She pressed the speaker button and the reply came out.
‘Something strange.’
‘Go on, tell me.’
‘I’ve been sworn to secrecy.’
‘Who swore you?’ Kim asked.
‘It’s an anonymous note on the WhatsApp and it went to everybody. We don’t know what to do.’
‘Don’t tell me about it, Mum.’
‘Why not?’
‘Just best to do what it says.’
‘But you don’t know what it says, darling.’
Edward was frowning.
‘Gotta go, Mum. I guess best to keep it secret, eh?’
Edward opened his mouth to speak, but Kim stepped back slightly and held up her hand like a traffic warden. What on earth was going on?
At the other end of the line, Barbara began: ‘It just says—’
Kim cut her off. ‘Don’t tell me what it says.’
‘You think I should do it?’
‘I think you should do it.’
She hit the red button. ‘Sorry,’ Kim said to Edward, ‘I forgot it was yours.’
