CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CRISTY: ‘It’s two days after our last drop, and while Clover and Jackson are back at the office digging through the boxes Sadie brought with her from Guernsey, Connor and I are in the car on our way to Malmesbury in Wiltshire to have a chat with Mia Winters’ ex-husband, Edwin Prosser.’
CONNOR: ‘Interestingly, when Mr Prosser’s son first made contact with us, it was to say that his father wanted nothing to do with the pod. However, we got a message last night saying that Edwin was prepared to be interviewed after all.’
CRISTY: ‘It could be you’ll never hear any of what we’re recording now if the interview turns out to be a waste of time, but if Mr Prosser is willing to discuss his marriage to Mia Winters, and what Lottie’s written about him, we’ll certainly be interested to hear it.’
Connor hit the stop button and said, ‘What sort of a link was that?’
Cristy sighed. ‘Not a very good one. Sorry. Shall we try it again?’
With a quick check of the satnav he said, ‘Maybe let’s wait until we know what the guy has to say. We’re nearly there now.’
He indicated to leave the M4 at junction 17, and slowed at the exit roundabout to turn north towards Malmesbury. ‘Is it the looming trip to Guernsey that’s getting to you?’ he asked, coming straight to the point.
She glanced at him, sighed again and said, ‘Yes, but not entirely for the reasons you’re thinking. I’m concerned that we haven’t heard from Sadie since yesterday morning when she messaged to say she’d received the picture of Symmonds-Browne.’
‘Were you expecting her to say something in particular about it?’
‘I’m not sure, but I emailed our flight details last night and asked her to confirm she had things set up with Corny, but no reply to that either. You don’t think Mia’s locked her up again, do you?’
‘Why not give Anna a quick call and ask if she knows what’s going on over there?’
‘I’ve already sent a text. She can’t get hold of Sadie either, so she’s calling back as soon as she’s been to the villa. That was just before we started out so …’ Cristy checked the time, ‘about forty minutes ago. Too soon to chase her. I’ll do it when we’ve finished with Prosser.’
They drove on in silence for a while, each with their own thoughts about the series and its many tangled threads, where they were going to lead, how they should be unravelled – until Cristy found herself reflecting on the message she’d received from Robert Brinkley.
Listened to the latest pod last night. I hope our interviews have helped move things on a way for you, and Sadie, maybe too soon to tell.
Wish there was more Mum and I could do, but I fear our roles in the past were more incidental than informative.
Still, at least we were able to provide names and share a few memories with Sadie. I think they mattered to her.
Returning from Geneva late tomorrow. There’s a fundraiser for MSF at Merchant’s House on Saturday evening, yours truly one of the speakers. Wondered if you’d consider being my guest?
At a fancy dinner in a super-smart location for many of Bristol’s elite? Him in black tie, her in a sparkly dress with her hair pinned up in a chic-messy-style, and their eyes meeting over glasses of champagne. An evening full of easy laughter and who knew what else …
She couldn’t go, of course, and not only because he was married and she might be going to Guernsey. Matthew had already asked her to be his plus-one at the very same event. The coincidence, coupled with the sheer absurdity of it … She was sure if she told Connor he’d laugh out loud.
She was right, he did.
‘I swear to God,’ he cried, slapping the steering wheel, ‘if we did a series about your love life we’d triple the ratings.’
‘You’re so funny,’ she told him darkly.
‘I’m glad you think so. Does Meena know about this?’
‘Of course not, and please don’t tell her.
I’m having a hard enough time trying to sort things out in my head …
Not that there’s anything to sort out. I’m obviously not going to the dinner with Matthew so he can get everyone speculating on us being back together, but if I turn him down I can’t go with Robert either.
Not that I would, it feels too much like a date for me to consider it, and even if it’s not, it’ll look like one and that would just be a slap in the face for Matthew.
For Robert’s wife as well, who he’s probably not planning to cheat on.
I just don’t want anyone thinking that’s what’s happening and everyone will, because he’s so gorgeous why wouldn’t I want to flaunt him in Matthew’s face after what Matthew did to me? ’
Still entertained, Connor said, ‘Who knew life could get so complicated for a singleton approaching fifty? I reckon most women your age would kill to have just one man interested in them, and you have three.’
‘If you’re including David in that …’
‘Of course I am, and you should see him on your own when we go. What harm can it do?’
‘The same sort of harm I might do you if you make one more jibe about my age.’
He let the silence run for a moment, then glancing at her said, ‘You’re keen to go really, aren’t you? I mean with Robert.’
Having to admit it, she said, ‘If the circumstances were different, then maybe. He’s great company and I imagine he’s a really good speaker.’
‘Then go. He hasn’t said it’s a date and has he done anything else to make you think he’d like to … you know, get you into some horizontal dancing?’
Wrinkling her nose, she said, ‘What kind of an expression is that?’
He shrugged. ‘I think it’s commonly called a euphemism, but if you’d like me to spell it out …’
‘No thanks. And the answer’s no, he has not made any overtures of that sort, I’m just … Well, let’s leave it that he’s married, OK? Shall we change the subject now and concentrate on where we’re going?’
‘No probs, but just tell me this, what would you say if David was inviting you?’
Trying not to be annoyed, she said, ‘As Matthew’s going to be there, the answer would be the same. Now, it’s saying to take the next left just up here and then we should probably be more or less there. Remind me again who we’re going to see?’
Clearly amused Connor followed directions to the address they’d been given and a few minutes later they were pulling up outside a double-fronted detached house, one of five in a small cul-de-sac, all with private driveways and fenced-off gardens.
‘Is this where Edwin lives, or his son?’ Cristy asked, as they got out of the car.
‘Him, apparently. The son’s got a place in town, but he’s going to be here.’
‘If he’s from a second marriage he could be younger than Sadie.’
‘If this is him coming to meet us I’d say he’s about your age.’
Seeing a wiry man in his late thirties heading down the garden path, she had to smile. Connor was so droll.
‘Cristy! Connor!’ James Prosser cried warmly, as they got out of the car. ‘Good to meet you. I hope it’s all right to use your first names.’
‘Of course,’ Cristy responded, as they shook hands. He seemed quite a nice man all told, kindly eyes, good smile, a little grey at the temples, and was apparently a bit of a toff given his jaunty cravat and plummy voice.
As he greeted Connor she tried to figure out where he might actually fit into Edwin’s pantheon of past-players.
He clearly predated Mia’s marriage to his father, which was twenty-odd years ago, so maybe Edwin had had several wives along the way, or just several children with various mothers.
It hardly mattered, they were only interested in his relationship with Mia, or, more pertinently, in what had happened after he’d stumbled across Sadie and been given his marching orders.
‘Dad’s waiting inside,’ James told them jovially. ‘I’ve made coffee, but tea’s just as easy if you prefer.’
‘Coffee’s fine,’ Connor assured him, going first along the garden path.
Cristy stopped at the gate, checking her phone. ‘If you’ll excuse me a moment,’ she said, ‘I need to take this,’ and receiving a pleasant smile from James Prosser, she turned back towards the car.
‘Anna? Is everything OK?’ she asked.
‘Yeah, it’s all cool,’ Anna assured her. ‘Sadie’s right here, just back from the hospital …’
‘What?’
‘They thought Mia had a stroke last night, but turns out it wasn’t that serious, just a weird sort of turn or something. Here, I’ll put Sades on …’
‘Hey, Cristy,’ Sadie said, coming onto the line.
‘Sorry I’m only just getting back to you.
It’s been a bit frantic. We thought we were going to lose her, but false alarm and she’s home again now.
She has to go back for more tests later, but Corny’s just turned up to make a fuss of her, which’ll probably drive her mad.
And if Corny ends up staying it could screw things up a bit for you coming tomorrow. ’
Closing her eyes with frustration, Cristy said, ‘OK, well, keep me posted and if we have to change our flights …’
‘No probs, but I was hoping to catch you before you speak to Edwin Prosser. Are you there yet?’
‘Just arrived. Why? Has Mia told you something about him?’
‘No. I haven’t even mentioned you’re going to see him, or that I found a letter from him before she keeled over last night. It was written to Lottie and I think you should read it before you talk to him. Jasper’s scanning it now ready to send.’
‘Give me the bullet points,’ Cristy urged.
‘OK, well, he addresses her as bitch-sister, so definitely no love lost between them, and he goes on to say that if she doesn’t meet the terms he laid out in his last letter she knows what will happen.
Nothing to say what the terms were, or what they’re about, just the threat of doing something if she doesn’t agree to whatever he’s asking for. ’
‘Is there a date on the letter?’
‘July ninth, 2000. Now listen to this, Lottie – I presume it was her anyway – has scrawled across it, Non-negotiable. Whether she wrote back to him to that effect, I’ve no idea, but I thought you should know about it before you go in.’