Chapter Forty-Five
‘Alice,’ said Ben, swooping on my friend. He kissed her, continental style, on both cheeks. ‘At last – we meet properly. And how incredible that you know Liam!’
‘Yes,’ said Alice faintly. ‘Although I only know Liam through the village’s attempt to save Starlight Hall.’
‘Both Alice and Jen here’ – Liam explained while feigning terror – ‘are part of the Starlight Society. It’s a group of villagers bidding against me for the community hall.’
‘Really?’ said Ben, looking suitably impressed. He was one of those guys who instantly gave off a good vibe. ‘In which case, I might have to swipe your brandy, Liam. I think I need to quell my nerves on your behalf.’
‘Have it,’ said Liam amiably. ‘I much prefer beer anyway.’
‘I’m joking,’ said Ben. ‘I prefer beer too.’ He picked up one of the brown bottles. ‘Well, girls’ – he smiled – ‘looks like you’ve both got yourselves a couple of extra brandies.’
As if by magic, Doreen appeared at our table.
‘If those drinks are going begging, I’ll have them,’ she declared. ‘I’m still getting over that shocking business with Hetty.’ She reached for the brandies but then noticed Ben. ‘Oooh, I say. Another goodlooking young man. Who are you?’
‘Paws off, Doreen,’ Alice piped up. ‘He’s taken.’
‘Am I?’ said Ben, looking amused. He flashed Alice an encouraging smile. ‘That is good news.’
My friend had the grace to blush, while Liam and I exchanged a knowing look. Despite Ben being in the enemy camp, it was obvious that chemistry was sizzling between our respective friends.
‘And what about you?’ Doreen turned her rheumy gaze on Liam. ‘Earlier, you said you weren’t married, but have you a Significant Other?’
‘He does,’ I confirmed. Liam looked startled, as well he might. I’d basically just made myself sound like I was that person. ‘W-What I mean is… he has another girlfriend.’ Hang on. I hadn’t worded that well. My brain was still fuzzy from the recent shock and drama.
Doreen gave me a surprised look.
‘Jen,’ she warned. ‘Never mess with a man who has more than one woman on the go.’ She gave Liam a dirty look.
‘And to think I thought you were a decent young man. Shame on you.’ She stuck her nose in the air and started to walk off, before realising she’d forgotten the brandies.
Deftly, she grabbed the drinks, then set off again.
Ben burst out laughing.
‘Is she the village eccentric?’ he asked.
‘No,’ said Alice. ‘But there’s still time for her to take the crown if Oracle Hetty doesn’t pull through.’
‘Who?’ said Ben.
I leant in and lowered my voice.
‘Hetty Cartwright,’ I hissed urgently. ‘She lives with Shep, an octogenarian with flashing blue eyes who makes terrible predictions and tries to channel dead people like Peter who warned death was everywhere and wanted a confession,’ I gabbled.
‘Shep wanted a confession?’
‘No, Peter.’
‘So, who is Shep?’
‘A dog.’
‘And the dog channels dead people?’ Ben frowned.
‘Jen, drink your brandy,’ ordered Alice.
She downed her own, then picked up one of the Proseccos.
‘Come on, Ben. There’s an empty table over there.
’ She pointed. ‘I’ll give you the sensible version of what happened earlier.
Jen is still processing.’ She gave my shoulder a quick squeeze, then stood up.
‘Can you look after her?’ she said to Liam.
‘Of course,’ he said gruffly. ‘Catch you later, guys. Have a good evening.’
The men shook hands, then Ben followed Alice over to a vacant table by the window.
Liam leant back in his chair. He crossed one long leg over the other and then regarded me curiously.
‘What was that all about?’
‘She knows,’ I mumbled. ‘Hetty.’
‘Knows what?’
‘Never mind,’ I said darkly.
Picking up my brandy, I took a slug. I wanted Hetty to pull through.
Of course, I did. I wasn’t a monster. But equally I had a horrible feeling that she now knew my secret.
And if she did, would she keep it to herself?
Or would she tell the police and cause a reinvestigation into my late husband’s death?
Liam leant forward and picked up his bottle of beer. He took a swig, his eyes still upon me. I noticed they were doing that mischievous twinkly thing again. He put the beer down.
‘So, what’s all this about you being my Significant Other’ – he teased – ‘as well as me having two girlfriends on the go?’
‘Sorry,’ I apologised. ‘It came out wrong. What I meant was… that you had one girlfriend. But not me – obviously.’
‘What girlfriend?’
I frowned.
‘Well, I don’t know. I’ve never met her. But you recently told me you’d met someone.’
‘Ahhh,’ said Liam, looking at me like the dawn had just come up. ‘Yes, you’re right. I did meet someone.’
‘Hallelujah for remembering her. Forgetting her might not go down well.’
‘Perhaps I should clarify,’ he explained.
‘The lady in question is not strictly a girlfriend. Rather, she’s someone I recently met and is…
a work in progress. But never mind my lady friend, Jen,’ said Liam, cutting me off before I could ask who this woman was.
‘Now that Alice and Ben are out of the way, I have you all to myself.’
I froze. That was an odd thing to say. I have you all to myself. It sounded intimate. Somewhat suggestive. Sort of like… I have you all to myself – so now I can ravish you!
Oh, don’t be ridiculous, Jen. You’re in a pub.
What do you think Liam is going to do? Lean over the table and do a bit of public bodice-ripping?
And anyway, even if the crowd miraculously melted away, would you let him?
You’ve made it quite clear that you’re not romantically interested in anyone.
And certainly not him – someone who wants to take the community hall away from the villagers.
Despite giving myself this pep talk, my body was doing its own thing – like responding to the way he was looking at me. Which was… intently. One could almost say his look was… smouldering.
I gulped.
‘W-What do you mean?’ I faltered, trying to ignore my quickening heartbeat.
A pair of mesmerising green eyes pinned me to my chair.
‘Why don’t you tell me…’ he said cosily.
‘T-Tell you what?’ I stammered, as a red flush crept up my neck.
His voice dropped an octave as he leant in even closer, his eyes never leaving mine. But what he said next took my breath away.
‘About your dead husband,’ he murmured. His voice was now so low I had to lean in to catch his words.
‘And why – when I found you in Hetty’s tent – you said I didn’t do it and only just stopped yourself from adding this time.
’ His eyes searched mine for the truth. ‘This conversation is strictly between you and me, Jen. But I really would like to know.’
‘Know what?’ I croaked, playing for time.
‘Did you murder your husband?’