Murder in Style (34 page)

Marika lifted her head. ‘You're missing a bit out again.'

Juno smiled, looking back up at Hugh. ‘Yes. Six weeks earlier, Hugh and I had had a weekend together. We'd always been so careful, I can't think how it happened, I thought I was starting the menopause but—'

‘It was another baby on the way? Which was why you went to the doctor early on the morning of the funeral? Did you tell Hugh?'

‘I didn't have a chance to tell anyone. I was in shock. I just about managed to get home, get changed and go off to the funeral. I couldn't think straight, couldn't decide what to do. I had to tell Gordon and Hugh, I knew that, but … how? And when? Then, in the car going on to Ray's house for the reading of the will, Gordon boasted that he'd killed my sister, but that nobody would ever be able to prove it. He said he was going to denounce Clemmie as the murderer. That was the moment my marriage ended. So, when my parents wanted to take me home, I decided to disappear, to give myself time to think, to get away from Gordon and finally to be with Hugh. So I got out of my parents' car, rang Hugh, and he brought me here. And here I plan to stay.'

Ellie said, ‘You sent Hugh to fetch your laptop so you could continue to access your finances?'

‘Indeed.' They smiled, happiness lightening their serious expressions. ‘We're a little worried about how Clemmie's going to take it, Mrs Quicke. How did you know, by the way?'

‘Your mother's knitting, and you looked so ill on the day of the funeral.'

They all laughed, relaxing. Marika offered another cup of tea.

‘And now,' said Ellie, ‘how do you see the future?'

Juno sighed and moved into a more comfortable position. ‘You've all been very patient, waiting for me to feel better and take hold of life again. And yes, Mrs Quicke, we were also waiting for you to sort Gordon and Charles out. I know things won't be easy for any of us for a while, and there's a horrid cloud hanging over Gordon and his future, but there's one or two things I can do straight away. I've had my solicitor here today, made a new will and started divorce proceedings. Once I get back to work, I shall reorganize The Magpie, setting up a limited company and making Celine and Clemmie directors. Neither Laura nor Ruth want any more responsibility, but they will get a hike in salary to make up for my taking some time out.'

She flashed a smile at Hugh. ‘Yes, he knows I intend to go on working. We're both workaholics, but we've made a pact to spend as much time with one another as we do at work. And, if he doesn't stick to it, I can always walk away because I'm my own woman.'

‘And, my wife-to-be,' said Hugh.

Juno laughed. ‘Twenty years later than anticipated.' She turned back to Ellie, her smile fading. ‘I've instructed the solicitor to write to Ray and to Gordon saying that I will make over to them the houses they lived in and their cars, in quittance of all claims on me. Since they both signed pre-nups, and in view of their present circumstances, I think they should agree.'

‘That's generous,' said Ellie. ‘I suppose they will sell up. Both need money: Gordon for his defence in court, and Ray to gamble. I'm sorry to break some bad news, but before you officially hand the houses over to Ray and Gordon, I suspect they'll need some attention. Gordon was in a destructive mood. I suggest you get someone to rescue any bits and pieces you would like to keep and get a cleaning team to go through the place. Oh, and to mend at least one window. The same at Ray's.'

‘I'll do that,' said Marika. ‘I've got a stronger stomach than Juno at the moment.'

Ellie nodded. Yes, that would be best. ‘Did you know that Trixie has moved out?'

‘She phoned us,' said Marika, counting stitches. ‘Wanted our blessing, if you please. I asked her if she would like any of her mother's bits and pieces, and she said she wouldn't mind her mother's jewellery, but she wants it put into a safety deposit box till she asks for it. She showed more common sense than I expected.'

Ellie delved into her handbag. ‘Which reminds me. I put a new combination on Poppy's safe, and wrote it down. Yes, here it is. Juno, you'd better keep that somewhere safe.'

Juno smiled. ‘Mother said from the start that we could trust you. Now, I can't help Ray any more than Poppy could, but I suppose if Trixie's latest initiative fails we'll help her to start again.' She looked at her watch. ‘We've invited Clemmie to join us this evening. She's out looking for a car to buy at the moment.'

‘She's passed her test first go?' Ellie was pleased.

‘Of course,' said Hugh. ‘Isn't she my daughter? I can't wait to meet her properly. I'm torn between “Will she like me?” and “If she's as stroppy as her mother, will I ever get a word in edgeways?”'

A late breakfast. Both Ellie and Thomas were feeling languid.

Thomas said, ‘Shall we take the day off? Fly to the Scilly Isles and watch the puffins … except I'm not sure which islands the puffins live on.'

Ellie put the last of the breakfast things in the dishwasher. ‘It would be good to go out for the day. No phones, mind. No emails, no texts. Just the two of us. Shall I make sandwiches?'

‘Let's splash out on lunch at a restaurant.'

The phone rang.

So did the doorbell.

Ellie hesitated. ‘We could pretend we're out.'

The doorbell was pressed again, with even more force.

‘Diana,' said Ellie. ‘Wanting me to babysit?'

Neither of them moved. They heard someone leave a message on the phone.

Thomas's conscience kicked in and he got to his feet. ‘I'd better answer it, I suppose.'

Someone leaned on the doorbell. Diana intended to be heard, didn't she?

Ellie groaned, but followed Thomas into the hall. He was already on the phone, saying, ‘Yes, I agree. It is an emergency. Do you want me to come round to you straight away, or shall I meet you somewhere?'

So much for their day off.

Ellie opened the door and found not one, not two, but three people in the porch.

Little Evan launched himself at her, immobilizing her by the simple expedient of hugging her knees. ‘Go to park! Now!'

Diana, all black and white and barely concealed impatience said, ‘My nanny's off sick and I've got appointments double-booked, so you can look after him for a bit, can't you?'

But it was the sight of the other woman which caused Ellie's mind to go into a whirl.

Well, not really a woman. More of a grown-up girl. Long blonde hair, big blue eyes, a slender figure and a will of iron.

Angelica: the pretty, pushy sister of Lesley Milburn's fiancé; the one who had tried to rot up Susan by picking an unsuitable bridesmaid's dress for her. The one who'd tried to move into Lesley's flat when the wedding had been called off. The one who aimed to have a good time in London with lots of parties.

Angelica, surrounded by luggage. Innocence shining from every long, false eyelash. With pathos in her voice, a teardrop ready to fall and a sob at the ready, Angelica said, ‘I've nowhere to go. Susan said you might have a room you'd let me stay in, just till I can get something more suitable? I'm in such trouble!'

Ellie wondered what would happen if she slammed the door in their faces and took off on a flight to the moon …