Page 54 of Happily Never After
Finn isn’t in the library either, so I head for his room, knocking tentatively on the door.
‘Who is it?’ he calls.
‘Me. Can I come in?’
‘Sure.’
I open the door, only to find yet another surprise. Finn is sitting at his desk, with a laptop in front of him and papers strewn everywhere. On the bed, his case is open and half-packed.
‘What’s going on?’ I ask.
‘I spoke to my agent earlier,’ he tells me, his face alive with excitement. ‘He’s got me a pitching slot.’
‘That’s brilliant. Congratulations!’
‘Yeah. The only problem is it’s tomorrow, and I have to have everything ready by then.’
‘Tomorrow?’ I repeat.
‘Yeah. I’m booked on a late flight out of Toulouse tonight. There’s just so much to be done, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned about working with TV companies, you don’t mess them about. If they offer you a pitching slot, you grab it with both hands.’
‘Oh, right.’ I’m unable to keep the disappointment out of my voice. ‘I was going to suggest a coffee break, but I’ll leave you to it.’
‘Sorry, Laura.’
Well, I guess that solves that, I think to myself as I go back down the stairs towards the garden. There’s no point in opening up about our feelings when he’s about to disappear back toLondon. I’m trying to be pleased for him, but all I can think about is my own sense of disappointment. Maybe it’s for the best. I’m supposed to be here to work, after all, not get involved with someone. I need to push these thoughts out of my head and focus on my book.
If only it were that easy. As I head back into the garden, I can’t help feeling that I’ve just missed out on something massive.
20
‘Where are we going?’ DI Harrison asked as DS Rogers took yet another turn.
‘Armley Road,’ he replied. ‘I don’t have all the details, but basically the homeowners were having some chimney repairs done, and the builders discovered a hidden alcove with a body in it. SOCO are there already doing their thing.’
Although the air conditioning was working flat out, DI Harrison still felt sweaty and her head was pounding as the migraine took hold. She wanted nothing more than to retreat to her bed, but she realised this was a crime scene that needed her full attention. She tried to ignore the pain, keeping her expression completely neutral as DS Rogers parked the car and they slipped on their protective overalls. She fought the rising sense of nausea by focusing on her breathing as the uniformed police officers lifted the crime scene tape to allow her and DS Rogers to pass underneath. A group of nosy neighbours were gathered but, after a quick scan, she made a point of ignoring them.
‘It’s in here, Ma’am,’ Terri, one of the Scene of Crime Officers, told her unnecessarily as she entered the hallway. The house was at once familiar and strange. The décor was different, of course, but the layout brought back so manymemories. Even if she hadn’t known exactly where the body was, the flashing from the camera would have led her to it.
‘The builders started to take down this wall,’ the photographer explained, indicating the hole they’d obviously punched with their sledgehammers. ‘They found a bag behind it and opened it. I suspect they were hoping for buried treasure, but they got a body instead. I’m just going to do a couple more pictures in situ and then we can bring it out. Did you want to have a quick look before we do that?’
‘Thanks, Geoff.’
It wasn’t just the migraine that was causing DI Claire Harrison’s legs to shake as she crouched down to inspect the hole. Behind her, DS Rogers was engrossed in discussion with Geoff about the crime scene. She looked into the hole in the wall and there was the body bag, instantly recognisable despite its thick coating of dust.
‘Hello, Darren,’ she whispered.
I lift my eyes from the screen, aware of someone approaching. I’ve been trying to focus on my work in an attempt to blot out all my conflicted feelings about Finn, Angus and everything else. Although it hasn’t been completely successful, I’ve still managed to lose track of the time and I’m surprised to see, glancing at my phone, that it’s nearly six o’clock. My mind’s been such a whirlwind that I haven’t even remembered to set the alarm to make me get up and move, and I can feel the stiffness in my neck as I raise my head after nearly four hours of staring at my laptop.
‘Hiya,’ Finn says softly. ‘I thought I’d find you here. How’s it going?’
‘OK. You? All packed and ready?’
‘Yeah. I’ve just settled up with Hugh and I’m about to leave for the airport, but I wanted to come and find you first to say goodbye properly.’
I study his face, trying to see if I can read anything into his expression, but I can’t.
‘I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you, Laura,’ he continues. ‘And I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done. You’ve literally saved my show, which means you’ve saved my career too.’
