Chapter 5
Mattie’s journalist antennae twitched as she watched Nell dispatch the fresh-faced officer to deal with a man who’d ducked under the cordon to take a selfie.
Nell had avoided answering the asylum hostel question and refused to give other basic details such as the age and sex of the child who was rescued.
Clearly, there was more to this story, and Nell was hiding behind a defence of not wanting to prejudice the investigation.
Fair enough. But why? What if it was a safehouse used for witness protection?
It’d be worth following up if the building had been targeted because of that, or perhaps local rumours were correct, and there was an asylum link.
“Hi.”
Mattie dragged herself away from watching Nell to find out who was talking to her. It was the young female journalist from the press conference. Mattie shook her proffered hand. “Hi.”
“I’m Rosie, Rosie Sutton. I’m a reporter on the local paper.” She bounced on her toes as she spoke. “Please can I interview you for an eyewitness account?”
There was absolutely no way Mattie wanted to become part of a story ever again. Reporting stories, yes, but not being part of their narrative. However, Rosie looked so damn earnest that she dialled back her initial reaction to bark no. “I’m sure there are far better people to interview than me.”
“But you were one of the first on the scene,” said Rosie, “and you’re famous.”
Mattie quirked her eyebrow.
“I’ve watched and read so much of your work, especially the war reports from Syria. They were stunning.” Rosie’s words rushed out of her mouth at break-neck speed. “Please? I won’t take too much of your time.”
She was persistent, Mattie would give her that. Rosie reminded her of herself in her first reporter role: enthusiastic and determined, not jaded and scarred like she was now.
“I’d been kind of hoping I’d get to meet you at Mum’s,” said Rosie.
“Now you’ve lost me.”
Rosie hid her face in her hands briefly. “Sorry, I’m suffering from a serious dose of hero-worship and making everything way more complicated than it should be. My mum runs Cove House.”
“Ah, now I get it. You’re Angie’s daughter.” Looking closer, Mattie saw similarities in the two women’s features. “Angie didn’t let on that she recognised me.”
“Mum wouldn’t. She respects her guests’ privacy.”
“I’m glad.” Mattie looked back at the fire scene and caught a view of Nell striding across the road towards a patrol car, all long legs and straight back in her police uniform.
It wasn’t just Mattie’s journalist antennae that twitched.
“Wait, that means you know the chief inspector outside of work?”
“I do, yes, but we never acknowledge it when we’re at work. Nell draws a clear distinction between her professional life and her home one,” said Rosie. “She’s very particular about it.”
Was that why Nell had been so standoffish with Mattie earlier?
Impish, teasing Nell had vanished. Despite the heat, her crisp shirt sleeves were firmly buttoned at her wrists and the cravat neat at her collar, both of which seemed symbolic of today’s uptight version.
As someone for whom her career was everything, Mattie could relate.
“So can I interview you? Over a coffee? Or ice-cold water?”
Mattie hesitated. She really didn’t want to relive the fire, but Rosie’s wide-eyed enthusiasm was infectious and saying no would be akin to kicking a puppy.
Besides, it would be an opportunity to surreptitiously learn more about Nell.
“Go on then. But it better serve coffee at least as good as your mum’s and have a sea view. I have high standards.”
Rosie grinned. “I know just the place.”
A quick hop in Rosie’s car followed by a two-minute walk to the harbour, and Mattie found herself judging the iced Americano that the waitress had placed in front of her.
“I’ll give you the win. It’s decent coffee.
” Open brick walls were decorated with arty black and white photographs.
The soft-focus prints featured views of the harbour and fishing boats, adding to the cosy vibe of the place.
It was ideal after the trauma of this morning.
If only she could get rid of the smell of charred wood still lingering in her nostrils. “It’s a busy place.”
“It’s just as popular with locals as it is with tourists.
” Rosie stirred another sachet of brown sugar into her latte.
“I can’t believe I’m here with you. I mean, we studied you during my journalism module at university.
Your work, I mean. Not you, obviously. Oh god, I’m burbling.
” She took a large slurp of her coffee. “Believe it or not, I’m usually pretty good with words. ”
“Don’t worry, it happens to all of us. You should’ve heard me when I interviewed Cate Blanchett. I was a burbling mess of a puddle. She was gorgeous.” Mattie swooned at the memory that made her smile. Her career hadn’t just been all war zones and relentless trauma. It was good to remember that.
“If only I had the chance.” Rosie laughed. “I know: typical lesbian.”
That comment confirmed there was nothing wrong with Mattie’s gaydar as far as Rosie went.
What about Nell? There was something there, Mattie was fairly sure of that, but she came across as a private person.
Closeted, maybe? Or perhaps she simply didn’t share her personal life with her neighbours, even though Angie seemed to be a good friend.
Mattie had to tread carefully here. “Nell was a lot more chilled when I met her at your mum’s last night. Is she normally so officious?”
Rosie nodded, her eyes wide. “There’s no messing with her.
She’s super professional, and she’s very highly regarded.
Mum’s been friends with her ever since Nell bought the house next door.
She used to babysit me and my sister. I was a bolshie kid, but she’s far too classy to hold that against me.
Really, Nell’s lovely, very caring, and nurturing. ”
As well as frosty, bordering on icy. Though it could be fun to melt her, if Mattie was up for a holiday fling, which she wasn’t. “And she’s always lived alone?”
Rosie tilted her head to the side as she considered. “From what I remember, yes. It’s not something you take much notice of when you’re a kid. Why?”
“Just curious. She’s intriguing,” said Mattie.
Rosie’s lips twitched. “I’ve never seen her with a woman, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Mattie raised her eyebrows in response.
Rosie’s phone buzzed and she read the message.
“My editor’s bugging me about my story. Can I ask you a few questions about what you saw?
” At Mattie’s nod, she continued. “I saw your video footage. I was so scared for that mum and her kid, even though I knew they’d be saved in the end.
It must have been terrifying to watch it happen in real time. ”
Mattie tsked. That wasn’t a question; it was a statement, a ploy to get her to open up emotionally.
Next thing, she’d be asking about Kenya and comparing the two experiences.
How did it feel to be confronted with your worst nightmare?
No way was she talking about that. “The two men who saved the baby were incredibly brave. They’re heroes,” she said instead, wondering if Rosie had the experience to recognise she was purposely ignoring the nuance of her question.
“I was only in the area because I was taking a trip down memory lane, revisiting places I went to as a child. I smelled the smoke first. The fire spread so quickly.” Mattie’s breath caught in her chest at the memory of it.
She gulped a too-large mouthful of coffee.
“How did you feel?”
“It was...scary to watch.” There, that was the sound bite Rosie was after. “Honestly, Rosie, that’s all I want to say. I’m way happier being behind the camera than I am with being the interviewee.”
“That’s great. I mean, not that it was scary. I mean for your answers. For talking to me at all, really.” Rosie pushed her stool back and stood up. “I wish I didn’t have to rush off.” She extended her hand. “Thanks again.”
“You’re welcome. Good luck with your story.” Mattie watched her go. How wonderful to be that young without the burden of life’s scars.
Scars. She shook her head and caught a whiff of smoke in her hair.
She needed fresh air. No, more than that.
To escape from the trauma of this morning’s events and the memories it had stirred.
That meant getting away from the entire town as quickly as possible.
The sensible option was catching a bus or hailing a taxi back to Cove House.
But being in an enclosed space? Unbearable.
Giving up control to a stranger driving the vehicle?
Unthinkable. Total control was the only thing that would keep her from falling to pieces, which meant she’d have to walk.
Swathes of tourists milled on the promenade around the harbour without any perception that they were blocking the way.
“Keep moving or stand at the side so people can get past!” She wouldn’t normally be so rude, but the emotions swirling inside her meant she’d push people into the water if she needed to.
The couple ambling at tortoise pace glared at her over their shoulders.
Mattie swirled around them and forged ahead.
Her eyes were dry and gritty. She ought to stop and delve into her backpack for eye drops, but a space opened up ahead, and she took the opportunity to get past the worst of the dawdling crowds.
The wide promenade soon ran out as the sandy cove curled round to a rocky promontory, narrowing to a pavement alongside the busy road. Fuck. She hated road walking. Her legs moaned at each step pounding on hard concrete, on and on and on.