Death at Rainbow Cottage by Jo Allen (novel24 TXT) 📕

‘Yes, as it happens.’ Becca thought again of Gracie, knowing she was falling into the trap of telling dull anecdotes about the dead. She knew, too, that there was sometimes information to be gleaned from the most trite of them and so Jude would listen. ‘She liked routine. She’d always drive to work, but every night she would get home and then walk down to M&S to buy her tea. That was her exercise.’

He sat back, amused. ‘What a peculiar detail to remember about someone.’

‘Well, it isn’t really. I came across it when we had one of those extracurricular workshop things we do sometimes. We had to begin by telling everyone something unusual about ourselves.’

His lips twitched into a smile. ‘What did you say?’

‘I support Arsenal.’

The smile turned to a laugh, and Becca found herself laughing, too. ‘What a disappointment. I thought I’d find out something about you I didn’t know.’

There was very little that he didn’t know, other than the one thing that would alter his opinion of her for the worse. In an effort to protect herself against damage already done, Becca attempted a scowl and failed. It cut two ways. ‘I don't have secrets. Most people don’t.’

‘Most people do,’ he contradicted her. ‘Half the time it’s not something anyone would care about. They just think it is.’

‘You sound exactly like the guy who was running the workshops.’

‘Yes, because I’ve had to sit through one exactly the same. It was Claud Blackwell, wasn’t it?’

‘Yes. What did you confess to?’

‘An excessive fondness for this old fellow.’ He rubbed Holmes underneath the chin. ‘I was almost glad when we got on to the heavy stuff about challenges and diversity. Which is probably what he was aiming for. Anyway. Back to Gracie. You weren’t aware of any relationships? I’m not talking about a boyfriend.’

It was the second time he’d asked. ‘Do you mean, was she gay?’ Len Pierce had been, the papers had said. ‘I suppose she might have been. I don’t know. Maybe she just hadn’t met the right person.’ Or she had, and had foolishly let that irreplaceable relationship go. For a second she contemplated whether she’d ever been subconsciously attracted to a woman but it was impossible to be objective with Jude sitting in front of her. She couldn't even think of Adam when he was looking at her like that. The quality of their sex life had been high on the list of points in his favour when she’d made the decision to leave him.

He changed tack. ‘Do you know anything about the Rainbow Festival?’

‘It was mentioned at the church on Sunday.’ A sudden tear rose to her eye, grief for a woman she’d hardly known. ‘Bugger. Sorry. I don’t normally get sentimental.’

‘It’s understandable. What’s happening is unsettling enough even if it’s someone you don’t know. It’s much worse when it’s someone you liked and somewhere you know.’

All those times she’d crossed the churchyard, alone and in the dark, without a thought. ‘I know. And everyone’s talking about it. Looking over their shoulders, wondering if they’re next. So awful for Phil, too, even more because he knew her.’

That sparked his interest. ‘Did he?’

‘Yes. He was at the workshop, too, and he’d hardly have overlooked her.’ To her fury the tear overflowed and she reached for a hanky. ‘There’s no real danger, is there?’ It was an idiot’s question. She should have known better than to ask it.

‘I’ve no idea. I wouldn’t tell you to be any less careful than I imagine you already are, though.’

He had the gift of saying everything while he said nothing, sharing a secret while keeping it safe. She judged that he thought Gracie might be gay, and she and Len Pierce had been targeted for their sexuality. That meant anyone straight was safe. Her lip curled. Was it wrong to be reassured? ‘I’m always careful.’

‘Good.’ He pushed Holmes off his lap in a easy move. ‘I’d better go. Lots to do.’

He looked tired. God knew, he must have the conscience of a saint because whatever things he’d seen, he’d always slept like a child. Her lips pursed as she got to her feet to see him out. Now Ashleigh O’Halloran had the privilege of waking in the night and watching him as he slept. Pain was always greater when it was self-inflicted. ‘Will I see you at Mikey’s party?’

He was halfway to the door before he answered. ‘I wouldn’t miss it. Though I’m not sure whether I’ll annoy him more by turning up or by not turning up.’

‘That’s harsh.’

‘Maybe it is, but I can never do anything right in his eyes.’

‘You know he adores you.’

He turned round on the doorstep. A curtain of rain sluiced the path clean behind him. ‘I’m not sure I’d put it that strongly. I did my best for him, and I’ll keep doing my best for him. Maybe he’ll realise one day, and understand. Or at the very least, he might forgive me if he thinks I’ve got it wrong.’

It was unusual for him to sound so downbeat. ‘Is your dad coming?’

Jude and Mikey’s father had walked out years before, when Jude was old enough to cope with it but Mikey was still a child. They’d been together then, at the beginning of their long relationship, and she’d seen at first hand how he’d struggled to be the reasonable figure in the family, and how other people’s pain had eventually prevailed. The slight, wry shake of the head told her how much it still bothered him. ‘I’d be astonished if he’s been invited.’

‘I know for a fact he hasn’t. Mikey told me. In fact, he must have told me half a dozen times, so there’s a bit of me thinks he’s protesting too much. You know?’

‘Yes. But I don’t think I’m the one to