‘About four months. It was strange actually. She seemed to be enjoying it, but one day she turned up and decided it was too much for her, that she wanted tohelp Richard out with his business and couldn’t fit both jobs in. I missed her as soon as she left.’
‘Do you know where she lived before she came to Mapleton?’
‘Derby, I think. Why do you ask?’
‘I found something of hers and I wanted to return it.’ Juliette lowered her eyes hoping that Barbara wouldn’t ask any more questions.
‘The last we all heard was she and Richard had split up, and she left with Daisy. Richard told Linda. We all assumed as Sarah was still there that she was the reason.’
‘So you know Sarah?’
‘Vaguely. She’s always kept herself to herself when she’s nipped in for a coffee. I can count on one hand how many times though. She’s not very sociable.’
Juliette made a note of that. ‘I don’t suppose you have any way of contacting Louisa?’
‘I don’t think so, and I couldn’t share it with you anyway.’
‘Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.’
Barbara waved to the young girl behind the counter to indicate she’d be with her soon. ‘Between you and me, I do wonder if Louisa leaving here had something to do with Richard. She almost seemed scared of him by the time she left. I can’t put my finger on what precisely it was, but I’m actually glad she’s got away from him.’ She moved her head closer to Juliette’s. ‘Carly too.’
‘Carly?’
‘She works at the estate agents two doors down. She was with Richard for a couple of years. Apparently it wasn’t an amicable split.’
‘Oh!’ Juliette was about to ask her more, but Barbara got to her feet. ‘I have to go. See you at the book club next week?’
‘Yes, I might pop along, although I haven’t finished the novel yet.’
‘Don’t worry about that. It’s not all about the book, as you realised when you joined us.’ She winked as she collected the used crockery. ‘See you soon.’
‘Yes, and thanks.’ Juliette looked back at the spreadsheet, but her mind wouldn’t settle. Still, she had time to nip in and see if Carly was free.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
As usual, the high street was a bustle of activity and Juliette found herself stopped twice before she got to the estate agents, by people she’d either met to say hello to in one of the shops or spoken to in the pub. It was lovely to be recognised already.
Finally, once outside their office window, Juliette studied the properties on display under the guise of looking for a new home while she glanced through the images and into the office behind.
There were two women at separate desks. One was on the phone, doing a lot of talking with her hand. She didn’t look older than twenty so would be too young to have been with Richard for so long. The other woman, however, seemed in her early thirties. She had long blonde hair, was slim and wore rimless glasses perched on the end of her nose. The uniform of navy-blue suit, white blouse and red neckerchiefmade her look like an air hostess, but there seemed no airs about her.
The woman looked up at that moment, probably feeling Juliette’s stare. She smiled and beckoned her inside. Juliette took a deep breath and went in.
‘Lovely morning, isn’t it?’ the woman said. ‘Although sadly, it’s given rain out for later.’ She held out a hand. ‘My name’s Carly. Is there anything I can help you with?’
‘Oh, I?—’
‘Don’t tell me you were just browsing. I always beckon in the wrong people.’ Her smile was friendly as she teased, and Juliette felt herself relaxing enough to ask a few pertinent questions.
‘Actually, I’ve not long moved in. A few weeks ago, with my husband. I live in Abbey Cottage.’
‘I thought your face looked familiar. I must have seen you around the village. Oh, that’s such a beautiful property. I lived next door for a while. The views at the back are amazing.’
‘They are. I don’t know why anyone would want to move out.’ She faked embarrassment. ‘Sorry, that was a bit rude.’
‘It’s fine. I was in a relationship with the owner. He’s still there now, so I guess it’s him you’ve come to ask me about and you’re not remotely interested in a new property?’
There was no embarrassment to fake now. Juliette’s cheeks turned red in an instant.
