Chapter 34
Eve sinks into Philippa’s capacious sofa, displacing Pyewacket, who jumps to the floor and stalks stiffly away.
She’s just had a call from Jack, to confirm that he’s just dropped off his passengers.
He doesn’t mention any names, but Eve knows that he means Philippa and Tom, who are now staying with Philippa’s sister Linda in Lane End, some thirty minutes’ drive away.
Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis have just opened their fortune cookies at Pei-Pei’s Chinese restaurant when there’s a bang at the front door.
Eve takes no notice of this, mistaking it for one of the sound effects of the earthquake which is taking place on screen, but a second knock, moments later, is clearly happening in real life.
Eve pauses the film and strolls unhurriedly to the door.
She opens it a fraction, and a second later is almost knocked to the floor when a fast-moving figure shoves past her and slams the door.
It’s Finbarr Williams. Wild-eyed, smelling of alcohol, and pale with fury.