The House Sitter by Jill Barry

Author:Jill Barry [Barry, Jill]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781786157331
Publisher: Headline
Published: 2019-12-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Ruth took care to fake a limp after leaving the Harley woman with the equally irritating and macho Kirby. They were quite likely to check up on her. She seethed in silence as she approached the gateway, Sparkles padding beside her. Without a doubt, that bitch suspected her. She’d expressed concern over the possibility of Ruth getting into difficulties while walking but that was mere smoke and mirrors. All the estate agent cared about was her commission. What did it matter to Mrs Harley if Ruth’s lifestyle and future prospects were crumbling around her?

She berated herself for failing to take the dog home before setting off. But that would have further delayed her arrival at the waterfall. And she might have run into the estate agent before she reached the woodland area. Either way she assessed the situation, the Harley woman was a nuisance, if a manageable nuisance. Whereas, Kirby. . .

Could she really have reached out and sent him flying? He might be built like a lighthouse but taken unawares while focusing on pretty pictures maybe his balance would have suffered. His feet might have aquaplaned, sending him sprawling helpless on the ground. Yes, he could even have tumbled into the deep waters.

Did he hold the cards to out her as a woman with a dubious history? To her knowledge, no one, absolutely no one else in the area had any inkling of how Julia Hayes had hit the Scottish newspaper headlines as the glamorous housekeeper who caused tongues to wag. Now, out there, imagining no third person in the vicinity, desperate to maintain her way of life and relationship with Suzanne and Eddie, she’d been inches away from teaching Kirby a lesson he’d never have forgotten. If indeed he had survived. Sometimes, she surprised herself with her own depravity. This was all the fault of the Deacons. How much longer would it take to convince them they should stay where they were?

Ruth had no intention of allowing the careful web she’d spun around her friends to be torn to shreds.

Back in Llanbrenin Wells, Bethan spotted a parking space, slapped her season ticket into view and hopped out to purchase a ticket for Ray, who’d parked further down the line.

“I got you an hour’s worth.” She handed over the slip.

“You didn’t have to do that, but thank you.”

They walked back to his vehicle in silence.

Bethan led the way up the ramp to the main street. “I appreciate your time. I also have a hunch you won’t write me off as a hysterical female, gorging herself on crime novels.”

“You; hysterical? That’s one description I wouldn’t apply.”

“My daughter might disagree.”

“So, you’re married? Career, wife, and mum?”

Clearly, he hadn’t noticed her engagement and wedding rings. “I. . . we are amicably estranged, if you must know.”

“Sorry. I was out of order.”

“I’m not precious about it.” She indicated the shop. “Take away coffees? Sadly, I can’t compete with Eddie Deacon’s cappuccino bar.”

“Take away black is fine. I’ll get them.”

When they entered the agency reception area, Bethan found her assistant dealing with a client.

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