The Sting of Death by Rebecca Tope

Author:Rebecca Tope
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Mystery & Detective
ISBN: 9780749008895
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2011-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Karen made a special effort over the evening meal, feeling unaccountably guilty towards Drew.

‘Something smells nice,’ he commented, coming into the kitchen.

‘My chicken thing,’ she smiled. ‘We haven’t had it for ages.’

‘Can I do anything?’

‘You could slice the beans if you like. If your stung finger’s up to it, of course. Steph helped me pick them. And go and get some mint for the spuds.’

‘Mint,’ he said worriedly. ‘Do I know which is mint?’

‘Take Steph with you. She’s pretty good at herbs.’

‘She’s a genius.’

‘Not a bit. She just has a good teacher.’

The banter came as a relief to them both. As if responding to the lightening of the atmosphere, Timmy began humming tunelessly, rocking in his high chair, chest stuck out comically.

Everyone made short work of the meal and sat back contentedly. ‘I phoned Penn,’ Karen said idly. ‘I thought I should keep in touch.’

‘Oh?’ Drew felt little immediate interest. ‘How was she?’

‘A bit strange, actually. She’s a funny creature, not at all as I remember her as a child. Everything anybody says seems to set her off.’

‘Why? What did you say?’ A flicker of anxiety disturbed his contentment.

‘When I told her Justine had turned up she got very agitated.’

‘Oh, God.’ He closed his eyes. ‘I didn’t tell you, did I?’

‘What?’

‘That Justine particularly didn’t want Penn to know where she was. I never got round to giving you the story.’ He stared at her, unable to believe how much he’d withheld from her. ‘There was much more to it than the little bit I managed to tell you.’

‘I fell asleep,’ she laughed, determined to sustain the harmonious mood. ‘It wasn’t your fault.’

‘No, but it matters. Justine says that Penn …’ he glanced at the children, ‘… that she coerced her into something. More or less accusing her of abduction.’

‘Good grief. How bizarre. You don’t believe her, do you? After all, it was Penn who first raised the alarm about Justine being missing.’

‘Somebody’s certainly not being straight,’ he agreed. ‘But Justine did seem to have been badly treated. She’s got bruises to prove it.’

‘It can’t possibly have been Penn,’ Karen said with certainty.

‘You could be right, but it’s a bit unfortunate that Penn now knows where Justine is. I should probably phone them and let them know.’

‘Don’t be silly.’ Karen’s voice had acquired an edge. ‘They’re friends, for heaven’s sake. What are you afraid will happen?’

He hesitated, reluctant to annoy his wife. It made such a pleasant change to have her full attention, combined with such a good mood. It wasn’t that she had grown sour or complaining since having the children; it was simply that she’d been distracted away from the partnership they’d once enjoyed. It was nothing more than the natural normal progression from newlyweds to parenthood, and he never for a moment wished he could change anything. But once in a while he thought wistfully of the early years, when they’d talked far into the night and Karen had been so full of energy and humour and enthusiasm.

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