“Without a doubt. She was seventy miles away, in the Premier Inn, Torquay.”
“As was Graham Pierce, which ticks him off our suspect list as well,” Phyllis said. “Which leaves us back at square one, with no idea who killed Eve.”
“And no idea who stole the community center money either.” It was the first time Nova had spoken this car journey, and her voice was thick with despair. “Now we know it wasn’t Michael, the police are going to think I took it, aren’t they? Especially after what happened to Sandy.”
“Or they’ll still think it was me,” Michael said. “You said yourself, it doesn’t look good: my mum was killed, and the same night money goes missing and I disappear. In the absence of anyone else, I’m still going to be the prime suspect.”
“No son of mine is going to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. We’ll prove your innocence, and Nova’s too.” Phyllis’s words were firm, but even she couldn’t hide the concern in her tone.
It was almost eight o’clock by the time they made it to Port Gowan. The lights were on as they pulled up outside Michael’s house, and he let out a long, weary sigh.
“Cynthia’s going to kill me.”
“I can come in and help you, if you like?” Phyllis offered, but Michael shook his head.
“I disappeared and unwittingly left her with a nightmare to manage on her own. I need to face the music.” He turned to Phyllis. “I’ll telephone you tomorrow, okay?”
Even in the dark of the car, Arthur could see the smile that spread across Phyllis’s face.
They drove back to St. Tredock and dropped Phyllis and Craddock off at her house.
“What’s your address?” Nova asked Arthur, as they watched Phyllis and the dog head inside.
“Oh, just drop me at the community center, I can walk from there.”
“Don’t be silly, I can drive you home. You must be in a hurry to get back to Esi.”
“And you must be in a hurry to get back to Craig. Honestly, after sitting in the car for so long I could do with a walk.”
Nova didn’t say anything, but drove them to the community center, where she pulled into the car park and turned the engine off. For a moment they both sat in silence, and Arthur studied the girl’s drawn face. What would Esi say if she were here right now? She always had the right words, the gentle way of putting someone at ease so they’d confess whatever was on their mind. Arthur had lost count of the number of times he’d come home from work to find some stranger sitting at their kitchen table, sharing their deepest worries with his wife, while she nodded encouragement and filled up their mug with hot, sweet tea.
Arthur turned to Nova. “I don’t suppose you have time for a quick cuppa, do you? I’m gasping for one.”
Nova looked at him in surprise. “Don’t you need to get home?”
“Esi will be all right for another half an hour.” He cleared his throat. “I called her friend earlier, before I set off with Ash and Dan, and asked if she’d stay with Esi. The two of them will be happily gossiping with a fish and chip supper, so they won’t miss me for a bit longer.”
Nova looked at the darkened community center, chewing her lower lip. “I’m pretty sure I’ve been banned from going inside, but given how much trouble I’m in already, I guess a bit of illegal trespassing can’t make things much worse.”
She gave a dry laugh and Arthur chuckled.
“Excellent. Let’s hope they have some bickies too.”
Nova unlocked the door and led them down the dark corridor to the office. Once inside, she put the kettle on while Arthur sat down. They didn’t speak until Nova had placed a mug in front of him and pulled up her own chair next to his.
“Would you like to talk about what’s going on?” Arthur said, as Nova blew on her tea.
“What do you mean?”
“I know it’s none of my business, but I get the sense that things are a bit tricky with you and your lad.”
Nova took a sip of tea, and Arthur waited for her to tell him to mind his own business.
“I wasn’t entirely honest with you earlier,” she said, putting her mug down. “Craig wasn’t understanding about me missing the rehearsal. In fact, he completely freaked out and told me that if I want to get married tomorrow then I need to promise I’ll quit my job.”
“What? But that’s blackmail.”
“I don’t think he meant it as blackmail. He just…oh God, it’s so complicated, Arthur. He’s worried about me, and maybe he’s right. I mean, I did miss my own wedding rehearsal today so I could driveeighty miles and take part in some madcap rescue mission. That’s not the behavior of a normal, rational person, is it?”
