The Therapist(78)

‘Yes, but what if they didn’t? I’ve just read up on the case and apparently, the police couldn’t find any trace of a therapist called Dr Smith. What if that wasn’t his real name? Maybe they didn’t run off together, maybe he murdered her.’

There’s a pause, as if he’s wondering how to tell me that I’m being ridiculous.

‘If you’re thinking that Dr Smith might have been Nina’s therapist, I think – again – that it’s a long shot,’ he says diplomatically. ‘But you could always check with Tamsin, see if Nina ever mentioned the name of her therapist, that sort of thing.’

‘I’ll try but Tamsin isn’t always very forthcoming about Nina. I don’t know if it’s relevant or not but Tamsin asked Nina to refer her to her therapist, and Nina never came back with a name.’

‘Maybe she didn’t get around to it or maybe she felt uneasy about Tamsin seeing the same person as her. But it’s good to keep it in mind. I’ll call Helen and ask her if she knows anything about Nina seeing a therapist. If we don’t come up with a name, I’ll speak to my police contact.’

‘Great.’

‘Thanks, Alice, let’s speak soon.’

I hang up, realising I’ve already hit a problem. I can’t phone Tamsin and start asking her about Nina’s therapist. I need to be subtler than that, see her face to face, chat about other things first. It would also be easier if Eve were there. Except that it’s Thursday, and Eve spends Thursdays with her mum. The thought of not being able to speak to Tamsin until tomorrow is frustrating – and that’s presuming that both she and Eve are free to meet up.

I think for a moment, then message Eve, asking if she’s free for lunch the next day as I feel like getting out and there’s a brasserie I want to try near Finsbury Park. I’ve eaten there before, with Leo, but she doesn’t have to know that. I also suggest that we ask Tamsin and Maria to join us, if they’re free.

Her reply comes in ten minutes later – it’s a brilliant idea, she’s already checked with Tamsin and Maria, they can both come if we meet at one o’clock, as that’s the time Maria has her lunch break. Relieved that they can make it, I message her back with details of the brasserie and tell her I’ll make a reservation.

In the middle of the afternoon, there’s a ring on the doorbell and I run down to answer it, thinking it’s Thomas, because it’s about the time he usually calls. Maybe he’s had news about the murder in France. I check my hair quickly in the mirror and open the door.

But it isn’t Thomas, it’s a young man with sandy hair and a confident smile.

‘Ms Dawson?’ he asks.

I look at him warily. ‘Yes.’

‘We haven’t met before.’ He holds out his hand. ‘Ben, Ben Forbes. From Redwoods, the estate agents.’





Thirty-Nine


It takes me a moment to swallow the disappointment of him not being Thomas.

‘Oh, hello,’ I say, shaking his hand. He’s younger than I expected, early thirties, I’m guessing, and very good-looking. ‘Well, it’s lovely to meet you, Ben.’

‘I was at a property here in The Circle, discussing a possible sale, and I thought I’d come by and introduce myself seeing as we only met over the phone.’

‘I should have called you back to apologise,’ I say, embarrassed that I hadn’t. ‘It never occurred to me that Leo already knew about the murder.’

‘Please don’t worry. I’m just glad it didn’t put you off living here.’

‘It hasn’t been easy,’ I admit. ‘And I won’t be here much longer. Another week and I’ll be going back to Harlestone. Leo is staying,’ I add, in case he thinks that the house is going to be back on the market.

‘Right.’ He doesn’t seem surprised and I wonder if he already knows from Mark that Leo and I are splitting up. He peers behind me into the hall. ‘Ginny told me you knocked two of the upstairs bedrooms into one. It must be amazing.’

It’s on the tip of my tongue to invite him in to see it. But something holds me back.

‘Why don’t you drop in next time you’re in the area? I’m sure Leo will be happy to show you around.’

‘I’ll do that, thanks. I’m sorry it didn’t work out.’

‘Me too.’ I give him a smile. ‘How’s the golf going? You can’t believe how grateful Ginny is that you’re getting Mark out of the house at weekends.’

He laughs. ‘He’s becoming very good. Well, I’d better get on. Perhaps I’ll see you again, if ever you’re at Ginny’s.’

‘I’m sure I will be. Thank you for coming by. It was nice to meet you.’

‘Likewise.’

He leaves with a wave and I watch as he crosses over the road and disappears into the square.

I take out my mobile and text Ginny – I just had a visit from Ben.

She texts back – Lucky you! How come?

He was in the area and wanted to introduce himself.

That was nice of him. He’s lovely, isn’t he?

I want to tell her that he is, but not as nice as Thomas, and I feel guilty that I can’t, guilty that I’ve never told her about him, because I usually tell her most things.