Chapter 112
Penny’s bedside lamp is on its lowest setting, just enough light for two old friends with familiar faces. Elizabeth has Penny’s hand in hers.
“So did anyone get away with anything, darling? Tony Curran didn’t, did he?
Someone did for him. Johnny, so everyone seems to think, though I have a theory about that.
I must discuss with Joyce. No loss there, anyway.
And Ventham? Well, you know John has to pay for that.
I’ll take the police there in the morning, and they’ll find his body, we both know that.
The moment he’s home, a little nightcap, and that’s that.
He knows enough to make it peaceful, at least, doesn’t he? ”
Elizabeth strokes Penny’s hair.
“And what about you, darling? You clever girl. Did you get away with it? I know why you did what you did, Penny. I see the choice you made, to deliver your own justice. I don’t agree with it, but I see it. I wasn’t there. I wasn’t facing what you were facing. But did you get away with it?”
She places Penny’s hand back on the bed and stands.
“It all rather depends, doesn’t it? On whether you can hear me or not.
If you can hear, Penny, you’ll know that the man you love has just walked off into the night to die.
All because he wanted to protect you. And that all comes down to the choice you made all those years ago.
And I think that’s punishment enough, Penny. ”
Elizabeth starts to put on her coat.
“And if you can’t hear me, then you got away with it, dear. Bravo.”
Her coat is now on, and she places a hand on her friend’s cheek.
“I know what John did while he was holding you, Penny; I saw the syringe. So I know you’re off too, and this is good-bye. Darling, I haven’t really spoken about Stephen recently. He’s not at all well, and I’m trying my best, but I’m losing him bit by bit. So I have my secrets too.”
She kisses Penny’s cheek.
“Dear God, I will miss you, you fool. Sweet dreams, darling. What a chase.”
Elizabeth leaves Willows and walks out into the darkness. A quiet, cloudless night. A night so dark you think you might never see morning again.