Page 20 of Her Lips Are Sealed

‘She was okay, excited about a holiday she’s booked to go to Edinburgh for a few days.’

‘Does Ash have a partner? Somebody we need to contact?’

Donna shook her head. ‘No, she’s been single for a few years. Said she’d rather be on her own with Milo than let another man into her life and I can’t say I blame her. I’m the same, rather be on my own with my books.’

Morgan felt a wave of sadness pressing down on her shoulders, making them stoop down. ‘What about friends?’

‘She has plenty of those, none of them are worth much though. They’re always too busy for her when she really needs them.’

‘Donna, can I contact anyone for you?’

‘You could ring my friend, Pam, she’ll come pick me up. She dropped me off earlier.’

She held out her phone to Morgan who smiled at her as she took it. ‘No problem, give me a minute.’

Stepping out of the van, Morgan pressed the green button on the screen and heard a friendly voice.

‘That was quick, I’m just picking up a Chinese then I’ll come get you.’

‘Thank you, Donna will appreciate that.’

‘Who are you?’

‘Detective Brookes, I’m afraid Donna has had a terrible shock and found her daughter deceased.’

‘Oh no, please, are you having me on?’

‘Unfortunately not. If you could come pick her up as soon as you can that would be good, she could do with some support right now. She doesn’t need to be here to watch this.’

‘Oh, my God. Sorry, yes, I’m on my way.’

The line went dead. Morgan opened the van door and passed Donna her phone. ‘Pam will be here soon. Where do you live, Donna?’

‘Ulverston, poor Pam, she’s going to be so upset.’

Morgan looked at the grief-stricken woman and realised she was probably in shock. ‘I know this is difficult for you, but can you think of anyone who would want to do this?’

Donna shook her head. ‘I don’t know anyone who would want to take another person’s life, or at least I don’t think I do. I don’t think it’s the kind of thing you’d write in a group chat, is it? Off to kill someone now for no good reason, speak soon.’ Donna let out a high-pitched laugh at her own joke followed by a loud sob. ‘I’m sorry, I have the worst sense of humour, I joke about stuff I shouldn’t. I don’t mean to. I’m devastated.’

‘I know you are, it’s how we cope too, dark humour helps us to deal with the worst situations. Everyone is different, so please don’t apologise.

‘Had you fallen out with Ash, is that why she didn’t come to see you yesterday?’

‘No, not at all. I mean she’s not as close to me anymore because she’d turned into a right homebody. She never wants to be anywhere but here.’

‘Where did Ash work?’

‘She’s an estate agent, she does a lot of house viewings, showings.’

Morgan’s ears pricked up at this. ‘Who for?’

‘Oh, she works for the fancy one in Windermere. Luxury Lettings I think it’s called.’

Morgan knew the one. This was interesting, did Ash meet her killer while giving a viewing? They needed to get a list of all her recent appointments. It also meant she probably came into contact with a cleaning company, and she wondered if it was the same one Rachel’s cleaner worked for.

The van door opened and one of the PCSOs was standing with a woman who was clearly Pam. Her red eyes made her look more upset than Donna, but she was clearly in shock whereas Pam was just upset.

‘Oh, Donna, love. I’m so sorry, I don’t know what to say or do.’