Chapter 43
Now
Mabel looks at Belinda, her hand on her heart as if feeling her own pulse.
‘How did you cope when you thought one of your daughters might have died?’
‘I just had to.’
The old lady’s eyes fill with tears. ‘That must have been so hard. I cannot imagine anything worse.’ Then she blows her nose hard.
‘A Listener in prison! I didn’t know there was such a thing.
I can see why you’re so good at listening to me and the other residents – I’ve seen you. But what kind of mistake did you make?’
‘I’ll tell you next time,’ says Belinda firmly. ‘It’s your turn now. I need to know if the Colonel was really hanged.’
As if on cue, the bell sounds for tea. ‘It will have to wait until tomorrow,’ says Mabel. She sounds nervous. As if there is something she doesn’t want to tell.