Page 93 of The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge
‘No.’
‘I’m sorry.’ He sighed. ‘This isn’t your problem.’
‘Aaron, I know it isn’t. She’s your grandma and I’m practically a stranger, but I care, I do.’
‘Thank you. I know.’ His smile was warm, but she still felt that despite everything he kept her at a distance and that hurt.
He walked ahead now, lost in his thoughts, and all shecould do was follow. He wasn’t an easy man, she pondered, but something about him drew her to him. He was good, she thought, and tried to do the right thing for the people he loved, his daughter, his grandmother, but it was clear that you had to work to earn his trust.
They came to a stile, and he helped her get Baxter through the gap underneath before standing back for her to climb over.
She waited till he was safely over it himself and returned his tentative smile. ‘Sorry,’ he mumbled. ‘I don’t mean to appear rude. It’s odd,’ he went on, falling into step beside her. ‘I was suspicious of you when you first turned up two weeks ago.’
‘I did notice that.’
‘Yes, well.’
‘But I understood. Especially after I’d been so offhand. So embarrassing.’
He laughed loudly.
‘But Nancy’s told me her whole story now and says I can write about it.’
‘Does she now?’ His face clouded.
‘You’re not to worry, Aaron. I won’t bring her trouble. It will help her, in fact. I want to celebrate her achievements. I don’t have to name names. But there is something that I need you to know about. I want to find this man James West and clear up his side of the story. If Nancy allows me to, that is. That’s my plan, but I won’t say anything to her yet. There’s plenty of time.’
‘We’ll ask her together if you like. When we think she’s ready.’
‘Thank you.’ He did trust her, after all. ‘That would be marvellous, Aaron.’
Then she remembered something. ‘Aaron, you may think this odd, but those poison pen letters. It’s a bit mad, but I’ve had an idea about who might have sent them.’
When she told him, he looked at her in amazement.
‘The font on the stocklist was definitely the same as on the latest letter.’
‘Yes, I understand that, but Stef, why Jackie?’
She shrugged. ‘I don’t know,’ she said simply. She understood that the matter wasn’t of the great importance at that exact moment, but was relieved when he muttered that he’d mention it to the police.
They’d gone a fair way and the evening was growing chilly by the time they turned back. Aaron was mostly silent as they walked back to Springfield Cottage, not morose, just overwhelmed, Stef thought and didn’t mind. After all, she had plenty to think about, too. Not least that work was calling. Soon, very soon, she must return to her lonely flat in London. She glanced at Aaron beside her, deep in thought, and wondered if he’d mind if she suggested they meet up there sometime. Just as friends, of course.
Fifty-Six
Massachusetts, USA
September 2010
Three months later, Stef mounted the steps of an old brownstone in Boston, pressed the bell and waited. It was a beautiful autumn day and the leaves were turning to shades of crimson and gold. She’d arrived in the city only two days before, with a short list of academics she’d arranged to interview. This was the first and the most important and she would need all her professional skills to succeed in her task.
After a moment or two, the door was opened by a young woman, who regarded her suspiciously with shrewd dark eyes.
‘I’m Stephanie Lansdown. I have an appointment with—’
The woman’s wide grin was transforming. ‘I know who you are, lady. He’s been antsy all morning ’bout you coming.’ She ushered Stef into a deep shadowy hallway and hung her coat up. ‘Wait in here, will you?’ She pushed open a doorto her right and stood aside to let Stef enter a lovely bright drawing room.
‘I’ll tell him you’re here,’ the woman said and withdrew.
