THE OTHER WOMAN a spellbinding psychological thriller with a shocking twist by JANE ADAMS

Author:JANE ADAMS [ADAMS, JANE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Joffe Books crime, thriller and psychological suspense
Published: 2021-05-02T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-four

Hill Grove was trying hard to live up to its name. Certainly, it was on the top of a small hill, and whoever owned it seemed to be attempting to construct the grove. Two mature trees in the front garden of the big Victorian house had been joined by younger, newly planted shrubberies and dense, overdressed flower borders. Everything appeared dusty and wilted in the summer heat. The grass was parched as a result of the hosepipe ban and even the brick pathway that led to an impressive black door with brass fittings was bleached and desiccated.

The front door stood slightly open to let what little breeze there was make its way into the hall. There was no one at the reception desk, but a bell sounded as Alec pushed the door wider, and a woman came through from what looked like a dining room; tables laid with check cloths and little vases of flowers could be seen through the open door behind her.

‘Can I help you?’ she asked, but she gave the impression that she knew already who they were and why they were here.

‘I’m Alec Armitage,’ Alec said. ‘My daughter, Marcie, and my son-in-law, Michael Whitney.’

‘Martha Silverman,’ the woman said, extending her hand towards Alec. Then, ‘I don’t mean to be rude, but could you . . .’

‘Of course,’ Alec said. He produced his wallet once again and identified himself.

Michael reached into the pocket of his jeans and found his pass card for the law centre, giving his picture and his job description. ‘You’re a legal adviser?’ the woman said. ‘That must be a fascinating job. Is it like being a solicitor?’

She seemed satisfied then, not really waiting for Michael to reply and passing up on Marcie altogether.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said, ‘but, you see, Joe has always told us that he has no family.’

‘My father told me that Joe was dead a long time ago,’ Alec said, as though to confirm this. ‘They quarrelled, I understand. But Jack’s dying now. He’s not expected to last much longer and I think, well, I think he wants forgiveness.’

The woman regarded him thoughtfully, then she nodded. ‘I told Joe you might be coming,’ she said. ‘I don’t know if he took it all in but he’s agreed to see you.’

They followed her out through the back of the house, through what had once been French doors — now widened and with a shallow ramp leading onto a terrace. A further shallow ramp with handrails on either side led down onto a broad, sun-parched lawn. More trees, more flowers, chairs and tables and an elderly man taking practice swings with a golf club and a tethered ball. The rear of the house had been added to, nicely, but with little reference to the original architecture. Two single-storey wings extended its width; living accommodation, Marcie guessed, with level patios running along the full length.

As they stepped onto the lawn a large tabby cat uncurled, stretched and looked up expectantly, then wandered off to find a better place in the sun, its tail in the air.

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