A Blind Eye by Marion Todd

Author:Marion Todd [Todd, Marion]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 29

Tom stood dripping on the doorstep and Clare moved back to let him come in.

Tom who she had lived with in Glasgow for several years. Tom who had wanted to marry her but who she had declined. And now he was married and she was happily settled with the DCI. They’d kept in touch but Clare had thought the contact would wane now they both had new partners. And yet here he was. Again.

‘Come in,’ she urged him, forcing Benjy back from the door. ‘You’re letting the rain in.’

He stepped into the hall, shrugged off his dripping coat and ran a hand through his hair, soaked in the short run between car and cottage. She led him through to the sitting room and bent to put a match to the wood burner, her latest toy installed after relentless nagging by Al, and anyone else he could persuade to plead his cause. He’d set it before leaving that morning and already the flames were licking round the carefully arranged kindling. She’d say this much for him – he knew how to set a fire.

She took Tom’s coat and draped it over a chair to dry and turned to survey him. He hadn’t changed at all since they’d first met. Maybe the odd grey hair threaded here and there but he still had the boyish good looks that had first attracted her. For a brief moment, she remembered what it was like to be his other half then she gave herself a shake. ‘You’re soaked,’ she said. ‘Shall I get you a towel?’

‘No, it’s fine. I’ll soon dry off.’ He rubbed his hands on his trousers and held them out towards the fire which was spitting and sparking as the sticks caught. ‘This is a good idea,’ he said, indicating the stove. ‘Yours?’

‘When did I ever have a good idea?’ she said, and he laughed in reply. ‘Hot drink? Or something stronger? You’re staying, aren’t you?’

‘If it’s no trouble.’

‘None at all. The spare room’s pretty comfy – as long as you don’t mind toy elephants.’

He smiled, his usual wide smile, perfect teeth, his eyes crinkling at the corners. ‘For your nephew?’

‘Well, they’re not for me!’

‘Thanks, Clare,’ he said, smiling again. ‘It’s kind of you.’

She went to fetch another glass from the kitchen. ‘Have you eaten?’

‘Just a sandwich.’

‘I’ve a lasagne in the oven if you fancy? Plenty for both of us.’ When he didn’t answer she added, ‘I didn’t make it, in case you’re worried.’

‘Sounds lovely,’ he called back. ‘Sorry, the fire was sparking.’

Clare reappeared with another glass of red. ‘Yeah, I believe you.’ She handed it to him. ‘Cheers!’

They sat companionably sipping the wine while the lasagne heated. ‘So,’ she said after a bit. ‘You’re up here seeing a client?’

He nodded. ‘That, and something else.’

‘Oh yes?’

‘Gilly and I – we’re thinking of investing in property.’

Clare raised an eyebrow. ‘In St Andrews? I hope you have deep pockets.’

‘You’d think, wouldn’t you? But I checked sale prices on the Land Registry the other day.

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