“I need to go back to the garage for a couple of hours and catch up on some work. I’ll see you later, okay?”
Nova thought about asking him to stay then stopped herself. They needed a bit of time apart to calm down before one of them said something they’d regret.
“Okay, bye,” she said, and she watched as Craig drove off, his tires sending gravel flying.
As soon as she got into the house, Nova tried calling her mum, but there was no answer; she must already be on her first flight. Still, at least she’d be in Cornwall tomorrow; Nova couldn’t wait to melt into her mum’s arms for the longest hug.
She had a shower and was getting dressed again when she heard the doorbell ring. When she opened the door, Lauren was standing on the doorstep, brandishing a bottle of wine.
“I thought you could do with this,” she said.
Nova smiled and ushered her through to the kitchen. “Thanks for coming over. Have you heard any more news on Sandy?”
“I’ve just been to see her in the hospital.”
“How is she?”
“In remarkably good spirits, all things considered. You should see how many bunches of flowers she’s got; I think she’s quite enjoying all the fuss.”
“Can she remember anything about the person who attacked her?”
Lauren shook her head. “Unfortunately not. She says she was going upstairs to bed when she heard a noise at the front door, and when she opened it, someone pushed her and she fell backward. But she said she couldn’t see their face, as it was dark outside and they were wearing a hood.”
“The poor woman,” Nova said, pouring wine into two glasses and handing one to Lauren. “Does she really think it could have been me?”
Lauren took a sip before she answered. “She doesn’twantto think it was you.”
“But?”
“Sandy did say you were the only person she could think of who might have a motive to hurt her, given she’d just suspended you. Plus, her neighbor saw your red coat.”
“It wasn’t my coat, Lauren; mine was here at the house, with me.”
“I know, that’s what I told her. But I think after everything that’s happened recently, with the missing money and now this…” She winced. “You have to admit; from the outside it does all look a bit suspicious.”
Nova chewed her lip. Should she tell Lauren the book club’s theory about Cynthia? But where to even begin. The whole thing would sound deranged, and the last thing she needed was Lauren thinking she’d lost the plot. Still, for a second, Nova allowed herself to ponder the idea that Cynthia might have attacked Sandy in order to frame her. It seemed far-fetched, butifthe woman was capable of killing her own mother-in-law, getting rid of her husband and poisoning Craddock, maybe she was capable of hurting Sandy too?
“Is Craig not here?” Lauren asked, jolting Nova from her thoughts.
“No, he’s at work. We just had an argument in the car, so we need a bit of space from each other right now.”
“Shit, I’m sorry to hear that. Wanna talk about it?”
Nova took a swig of wine. “There’s not much to say. I think Craig is pissed off at me for getting suspended, although he hasn’t said it outright, and he asked if I still want to go ahead with the wedding.”
“Wow,” Lauren said, and Nova saw her eyes widen. “What did you say?”
“I told him that I wanted to, of course. But I don’t know if he’s the one having second thoughts now.”
“Oh, love,” Lauren said, coming round to stand next to Nova.“You’ve been through so much lately, and now this on top of everything else.”
“I just really wish my mum was here. And my dad too.”
“I get it. And I’m sorry Craig’s being a knob. He should be supporting you now, not making you feel even worse.”
“It’s not all his fault. Ihavebeen distracted lately, and I’ve not been focusing on the wedding like I should have been.”
“Do you want me to speak to him? I could have a gentle word and tell him how stressed you are, so he backs off a bit? Or I could have a not-so-gentle word and kick his arse for being an insensitive bastard?”
