Chapter 64
Joyce
Yes, I know Ian Ventham is dead, and we will get to that, I promise. But guess what else? Joanna is here!
We took ourselves down to Fairhaven in her new car (I will check the make in a moment).
We stopped at Anything with a Pulse—I was very casual about it, but it was an unqualified success.
Not a word of complaint, or “No one’s a vegan anymore, Mum,” or “They do better brownies in a Lebanese shop round the corner from mine, Mum.” Green tea, flapjack, macaroon. And I didn’t think I’d be saying that.
She has a meeting down this way. Something to do with “optimization.” If I think back to that girl who would eat her fish fingers and potato waffles but scream blue murder about eating her peas, I didn’t imagine she would ever be having meetings about optimization, whatever it is.
The boyfriend is history, as we guessed.
Did you know you can lock your mobile phones these days so that no one can take a peek?
And you can unlock them with your thumbprint?
Anyway, he had fallen asleep on the sofa one evening and she had used his thumb to open his phone.
One look through his messages and by the time he woke up, his suitcases were packed and in the hall. That’s my girl.
No details of the messages were forthcoming, but Joanna strongly hinted that photographs were involved. I listen to enough Woman’s Hour to get the gist of that. Excuse my language, but the silly sod. We had a giggle about it, so I don’t think her heart is broken.
I can hear Joanna getting up from a nap, so I’ll say bye for now. You wouldn’t know it, but I’ve been typing quietly.
My gorgeous baby, happy and sleeping in my bed, and two murders to solve. Who could ask for more?
Joanna brought a bottle of wine down with her. There is something special about it, but I’m afraid I’ve forgotten what it is. One day she will realize that she is the something special.
Anyway, I invited Elizabeth over to have a drink with us this evening, but she has “other plans.” Your guess is as good as mine there. Something to do with the murder, though, you can bet on that.
(ADDITIONAL NOTE ADDED LATER: IT IS AN AUDI A4)