Page 74 of She Saw What He Did

‘I will be applying.’

‘Good, because you’re wasted on that island.’

She pictured St Cecilia’s in her head and thought of its dull lifestyle. The murder had shaken the place up, that was for sure. She thought back to Abby Miller’s weary face. Something had happened. There was no doubt about that. The question was what? Ellen was determined to find out. Weis pulled her from her reverie.

‘I’ve enjoyed today, strangely,’ he said, reaching out a hand and laying it over hers. ‘It’s been a pleasurable work day and I can’t say I’ve felt that way for some time now. I’ll be sorry when you fly back later.’

Ellen felt she should move her hand from his, but somehow she didn’t want to.

‘I’ve enjoyed today too,’ she smiled.

The wine was making her overconfident. She was saying things she wouldn’t normally say.

‘I’d like it if we could do it again,’ he said, reluctantly moving his hand away when the waiter came with bread.

‘Perhaps I could come over sometime,’ he suggested. ‘You must have a day off.’

Ellen could just imagine Peter’s feelings about that.

‘I’ll probably come to Porthaven again,’ she said.

She liked the way his face lit up.

‘That sounds good to me,’ he said cheerfully.

Ellen decided she would apply for the job. After all, she didn’t know when another might come up. She was also considering visiting Abby Miller again. Perhaps she’d ask Weis to come with her. Her phone bleeped. She glanced down at the text from Peter.

‘Just seen your message. When will you be home? I’m missing you.’

Guilt punched her hard in the stomach. She really shouldn’t be having dinner with Colin Weis. She’d tell Peter about it as soon as she got home, but the truth was, she knew she wouldn’t.

*

The phone call came that evening. He’d been expecting it.

‘You have the box?’

‘Yes,’ he said without hesitation.

He wasn’t going to admit that he didn’t have it. He knew where it was. That was enough. While he had the Miller’s daughter they would take good care of it.

‘Full instructions will be hand-delivered to a hotel in Porthaven. Do you have a pen?’

Sparrow scrabbled around amongst the mess until he found a blunt pencil.

‘The hotel is The Weatherman. You’ll find it easily enough. It’s cheap and will suit you for the time you need it. It’s close but not too close.’

For a moment he thought the man meant close to the Millers. He felt himself sweat and then realised he, of course, meant Asquith Hall.

Sparrow bit his lip before saying,

‘Everything’s in hand.’

‘Good.’

Had they been following him? Did they know he was lying? Before he could ask any more questions the line had gone dead. He was tired. The stress was telling on him. He didn’t seem to have any energy.

He pulled the exercise book out of the drawer and studied his notes. His eyes strayed to the photo that he’d slipped inside the book. Her smiling face seemed to mock him. He lifted it out and stared at it. They were at opposite ends of the spectrum now. But money, that made all the difference, he told himself. If only he had more energy. He’d get a good night that was the best thing. He forced himself out of the chair and into the bathroom. A shower would invigorate him. Even the adrenalin coursing through his veins didn’t seem to be helping his energy levels. Soon it would be over. Soon he’d have the money. Soon he’d be in South America and who knows maybe, just maybe, she would join him.

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