Page 63 of A Village Theatre Murder

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‘What do you know about Hayley’s guest?’ asked Sean. The knife slicing through the cucumber that he was cutting for the salad beat a rhythmic percussion on the wooden board underneath.

‘Her guest? Her significant other?’ Jono said with a teasing smile. ‘Her special friend?’

His father laughed, acknowledging his curiously old-fashioned terminology. ‘I never know what one’s supposed to call anyone these days. I mean, it’s a new relationship, so I don’t want to say girlfriend…’

‘Don’t pay any attention to your son’s teasing, Sean. Guest is fine, or friend,’ Julia said, rubbing his shoulder. ‘To answer your question, I know very little about her. I know that her name is Sylvia, but that’s about it. You know what Hayley is like: she plays her cards close to her chest. The only reason I know about the relationship at all is because I spotted evidence of an admirer when I was in her office – first an orchid, which appeared on her desk, and then a very nice fruit basket which I happened to see being delivered. I put two and two together.’

‘It’s almost like you’re a detective yourself.’ It was Sean’sturn to tease now. He addressed Julia with a grin. ‘Picking up clues, putting things together, solving mysteries…’

‘Arresting murderers,’ Jono said. He opened the oven door and inserted a huge vegetarian lasagne that he’d prepared the day before. He shut the door firmly, with an air of quiet satisfaction.

‘Oh, come now, I didn’t arrest any murderers. Hayley did that.’ Julia shut the cutlery drawer sharply with her hip. In her hands, she held a spiky bouquet of knives and forks. ‘But I did identify the likely presence of an admirer, and when we were wrapping up the Troilus business, Hayley sort of apologised for being so gruff and absent the last few weeks. She said that she had been completely caught up with the two murders and a new relationship. That’s when I asked them both for lunch today. To be honest, I was a little surprised when Hayley accepted and seemed eager to bring her new girlfriend. Surprised, but pleased, and a bit intrigued.’

Julia had never known Hayley to have a partner, and had no idea what sort of person she would find appealing. So yes, she was rather looking forward to meeting Sylvia.

‘Well, all will soon be revealed!’ said Jono. He had been in very good humour since he and Sean had arrived to put the lasagne in the oven and help Julia with the preparations for lunch.

Laine was coming for lunch, too, and Julia suspected that her imminent arrival was at least partly responsible for Jono’s good mood. Sean’s mind seemed to have been following a similar trajectory, because he said, ‘Is Laine bringing her goat to lunch?’

‘Of course not. You can’t take goats to other people’s houses,’ said Jono dismissively, as if it was a ridiculous idea – somehow more ridiculous than walking around Berrywick with a goat on a leash. ‘You can’t take them anywhere, goats. They eat everything. Plants, vegetables, bread rolls,washing off the line. Bringing a goat with you is a sure way of ruining a friendship, according to Laine.’

‘It sounds as if she’s had direct experience,’ said Sean, who had finished with the cucumber and was now slicing baby tomatoes. He had a surgeon’s precision with a knife, cutting each one lengthways from top to bottom in two perfectly equal halves. Julia would have done them twice as fast, but a lot less perfectly. Each to his own, she thought.

‘Yes.’ Jono rolled his eyes dramatically. ‘It did not end well, believe me.’

Julia would have liked to hear more detail about the friendship-ending goat visit, but before she could enquire, the kitchen door opened and Tabitha came in, a basket hanging from the crook of her elbow. ‘I came a bit early,’ she said. ‘I thought I could lend a hand, but it looks as if you have plenty of hands.’

‘We do, but I’m glad you’re here early.’ Julia hugged her friend. From her basket, Tabitha produced a round country loaf, studded with seeds. ‘Home-made,’ she said proudly, handing it over. ‘I’ve finally got the hang of the sourdough thing.’

‘Clever you. Gosh, this looks marvellous!’ said Julia. She passed Tabitha the cutlery that was still in her hands. ‘You set the table, and I’ll find a board for the bread.’

The salad was made and the table set when Hayley arrived, accompanied by a young woman with honey-blonde hair and a sweet, heart-shaped face. She was dressed in a long floral dress with a fitted bodice and floaty skirt, and she carried a bunch of flowers that matched the floral pattern almost exactly.

‘This is Sylvia,’ Hayley said. ‘Sylvia, this is Julia.’ Sylvia gave Julia an almost-hug and handed over the flowers. ‘And this is Sean, and Jono.’ Hayley pointed them out in turn. ‘And that’s Tabitha.’

There was a flurry of hellos. The welcome Sylvia received was so effusive that it felt rather awkward. Fortunately, Laine arrived and attention shifted to her, and then to drinks, whichSean offered and poured. Julia appreciated the way he played co-host when they entertained at her house. It felt warm and comfortable.

Jake, who had been banished from the kitchen, joined them all in the sitting room. He calmly took his place in front of the sofa where Jono sat with Laine, and lay down between their two sets of feet with a sigh. Leo was already happily asleep in a patch of sunlight.

‘Aren’t they lovely chaps?’ Sylvia said.

‘Do you have dogs, Sylvia?’ Julia asked, making conversation.

‘Not at the moment. I would love to, but I’m at work most of the day, so it doesn’t seem fair. Besides, I spend all day with seven-year-olds, who are basically like puppies. Energetic, full of fun, exhausting, cute as buttons.’

Jono laughed. ‘You’re a teacher?’

‘Yes, I am. I love it, honestly I do.’ She beamed. She had a lovely, lively energy, and a sweet lightness to her. She and Hayley must have been in the ‘opposites attract’ camp. Hayley was intense and driven, and while she could be funny and kind, no one had ever accused her of lightness.

‘What do you do for work, Jono?’ asked Sylvia.

Julia felt a jolt of worry for poor Jono. Sylvia had asked the question with warmth and genuine interest, but it was an awkward one, given that he was an unemployed failed musician currently living with his dad.

Surprisingly, he beamed at Sylvia and answered eagerly. ‘Well, I suppose this is a good time to tell everyone that I’m starting a new job on Monday!’

‘What?’ Sean looked amazed at this news. Clearly, Jono hadn’t told him. He was a dark horse, that young man.

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