Page 123 of The Boathouse By the Loch

‘What?’

‘Just what I told you.’ Sean sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. ‘But, theoretically speaking, if you had had a rucksackfull of money, might you have spent that on setting up Robyn’s Interior Design, and paying Duncan a lot of rental money that saved his shop, and his livelihood, drawing in more customers, not to mention the financial help setting up his flat above the shop for him to move into?’

Bonnie understood. She couldn’t believe that David and Joe, and Sean, had colluded so that she wasn’t going to be charged in connection with the stolen money or as an accessory to Logan’s crimes. ‘Theoretically speaking, yes.’

‘Good. That’s what they thought – theoretically speaking, of course.’

For the first time since she’d been arrested, Bonnie managed a small smile.

‘So, once you’ve signed the paperwork, you’re free to go.’

‘But go where?’ she blurted.

Sean sighed. ‘Now that, I cannot help you with.’

By the time Marnie appeared with two cups of tea, and they had finished their drinks, there was another knock on the door. Joe had returned from the station.

‘Ah, Joe. I’ll let you finish off.’

‘Thanks, Sean.’

Bonnie watched Sean leave Marnie’s office and turned to Joe as he took the seat Sean had just vacated. ‘Joe, I want to thank you for—’

Joe held up his hand. ‘Not necessary,’ he said, very businesslike. ‘Now, if you could read through this paperwork, then sign it, I can go back to the station and file the missing person’s report.’

Bonnie didn’t bother reading it. She trusted Joe. She wanted to get it all over with. She signed it.

‘Good.’ Joe picked up the paperwork, put it in a file, and rose from his chair.

Bonnie pursed her lips. She remembered once overhearing Duncan warn David that he didn’t know what he was getting himself into with this stranger from out of town. He didn’t know her from Adam. Duncan had been right to be wary of her. They all should have been. She’d done just what they were afraid of – broken David’s heart. Now they were closing ranks, and probably thinking it would be good riddance when she finally left town.

She looked at Joe as he waited at the door. This wasn’t the friendly, easy-going Joe she was used to. This wasn’t her friend. This was Joe doing his police duty and escorting her out of Marnie’s office.

As they approached the door, she suddenly had the most wonderful thought. Were they all waiting behind that door, in hushed silence, read to surprise her?

When Joe opened the door, there was no one there – just the view down Marnie’s lovely garden with the neat lawn, prim rose bushes, and tall privet hedging shielding her garden from the neighbours.

Joe said, ‘I’m taking you back to the boathouse.’

She frowned. ‘What? Why?’ That was the last place she wanted to go, to remind her of the life that would never be.

‘To collect your things.’

‘Can’t you just take me back to the police station?’ That was the second last place she wanted to return to, but she’d much rather that than the boathouse. ‘I’d like you to go and get my belongings for me.’

Joe was already shaking his head. ‘Look, I wouldn’t want to pack your things myself.’

Bonnie understood. David had probably gone to the pub to drown his sorrows. She expected he didn’t want to return to theboathouse just then either. It would be awkward for Joe, packing up her clothes, her underwear, her personal things.

‘Of course.’ She grimaced. As they walked down the lawn to the patio outside Marnie’s dining room, a little part of her thought, just for a moment, that they might still all be waiting for her with Marnie in the house. But of course, they weren’t. It was just Marnie, giving her a hug before she left, and wishing her well.

As they stepped out of the front door, she stopped and looked about her. ‘What about Percy?’ Sean had been looking after Percy because Duncan couldn’t bring him into the hypnotherapy session.

‘Who?’

‘My dog!’

‘Oh, the rescue dog.’

---