Page 88 of The Last Love Song
‘I don’t know. By the time I’d looked again she’d turned around and I couldn’t catch a glimpse of her face.’ Sorcha shrugged and shook her head. ‘It probably wasn’t her. I mean, this woman was much thinner and smarter and her hair was different, but—’
‘Now what would Helen McCarthy be doing in a boutique in Carnaby Street? You obviously just saw someone that looked like her.’
‘She really did, Con, I swear.’
Con let go of Sorcha’s hand, seemingly a little agitated. ‘Well, even if it was her, what’s the harm? She and Ballymore are long in our past.’
‘I know.’ Sorcha sighed. ‘It was so odd. When I saw her, I felt like a ghost was walking over my grave. I don’t know why it’s unsettled me so much.’
Con softened again, putting his arms tightly around Sorcha’s shoulders. She snuggled into him. ‘There, there, Sorcha.’ He stroked her hair lovingly. ‘You worrying that you might have seen Helen McCarthy when we have so much to look forward to. Everything is starting to go right for us now. I think you look for things to worry over.’
‘You’re right.’ Sorcha straightened herself up and shook her head in a visible attempt to remove the tension hanging over her. ‘And Audrey had some good news for me. She wants me to leave Swan and Edgar’s. I have five bookings in the next three weeks and a very big interview for a grand job later this week. It’s to promote a new malt drink. Audrey says it will make me famous if I get it.’
‘Quite the career woman, aren’t you now?’ Con teased.
She looked at him anxiously. ‘You are happy for me, aren’t you?’
‘Of course I am, Sorcha. I can’t say I’m finding it easy that you’re so much your own woman, but I am learning to livewith it, even if I might prefer you barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen...’
‘Are you serious?’
‘Do I look it?’ Con chuckled and planted a kiss on her forehead. ‘I’m starving. What about treating your man to a dinner at that restaurant around the corner? We can sit and dream about number-one singles and fame and fortune.’
Sorcha picked up her gin and swallowed what remained in the glass in one go. As she put it down, Con saw the colour had returned to her cheeks and her eyes were sparkling. He felt he had navigated that well, despite the fear in his own belly. If Helenwasin London, and she and Sorcha were to meet without his presence to control the situation...the consequences didn’t bear thinking about.
‘Con Daly, you got yourself a deal.’
27
‘Helen speaking.’
‘Hi, Helen. I have a Detective Inspector Garratt in reception for you.’
Helen frowned. ‘You do?’
‘Yes. He’s asking to see you urgently.’
‘Right. You’d better send him up.’
Helen put the receiver down, and, straightening the papers on her desk, wondered why on earth a policeman wanted to speak to her.
Three minutes later, there was a peremptory knock on her office door.
‘Come in.’ Helen watched the door open. An extremely tall, thin man with a shock of greying hair entered her office.
‘Helen McCarthy?’
‘Yes.’
‘Detective Inspector Garratt, Scotland Yard.’ The man held out his hand across her desk.
Helen offered hers and felt the strength of the man as he shook it.
‘Sorry to disturb you, but I’m conducting an investigation and I think you might be able to help me with my enquiries.’
Helen was confused and uneasy. ‘I don’t know how but...please take a seat.’
Detective Garratt sat down on the chair, which was hardly adequate for his long legs.
