The Therapist(82)

‘And you think Ben has it?’

‘Only because he would have had keys to the house so that he could show people round and the only lock we haven’t changed is the one on the French windows. And because yesterday, he turned up here.’

‘What – he came to the house?’

‘Yes.’

‘Did he say why?’

‘He said he’d been at a property here in The Circle, discussing a possible sale, and wanted to introduce himself. But he also hinted that he was interested in seeing the work we had done upstairs.’

‘Did you let him in?’ He can’t quite hide the worry in his voice.

‘No.’

‘Thank God. Do you know his surname?’

‘No, he mentioned it but I can’t remember.’

‘It doesn’t matter, I can look it up on the website. Redwoods, you said? Hold on a sec – here he is, Ben Forbes. Do you know when Nina and Oliver moved into the house?’

‘No, why?’

‘Because maybe it was Ben Forbes who sold it to them.’

My heart starts beating faster; he’s had the same thought as me. ‘Do you think there could be a connection?’

‘That’s what I’m going to find out. I’m willing to look into anything just to be able to tell Helen I’ve left no stone unturned. I want this over and done with, Alice.’

‘Me too,’ I say. ‘Which is why I’m going back to Harlestone today. I’m too worried to stay in the house now, anyway. But don’t worry, I’ll come back next Wednesday to meet Helen.’

‘And to have lunch with me,’ he says.

‘That too,’ I say, smiling. ‘I need to go, Thomas, I’m having lunch with Eve, Tamsin and Maria, although I’m not sure there’s any point trying to find out who Nina’s therapist was.’

‘See how you feel. What time do you think you’ll be back?’

‘By four, I should think.’

‘Then maybe I could come and say goodbye. Next Wednesday seems a long way off.’

‘I’d like that,’ I tell him.

‘Good.’ His voice is warm. ‘I’ll see you about four, then.’





Forty-One


On the way to the brasserie, my mobile rings. It’s Ginny.

‘What did you say to Leo?’

‘About what?’

‘The murder.’

‘Um—’ I don’t know what to say in case Leo told her what I said about Ben. And she and Mark both really like Ben.

‘I’m only asking because he’s spent the whole morning reading articles about it online.’

‘Didn’t he go to work?’

‘No. He said you were still convinced there’d been a miscarriage of justice and that it wasn’t like you to take on a cause for no reason at all. He was trying to find the article you read that made you decide the husband wasn’t guilty. And now he’s trying to speak to Ben, I’m not quite sure why. Something about wanting to know if he sold the Maxwells the house.’

I feel a twinge of alarm. I’m touched that Leo wants to help but I feel bad that he’s wasting his time looking for an article that doesn’t exist. And what if Ben is involved in Nina’s murder, and Leo’s questioning spooks him?

‘I think he just wants to know when the Maxwells moved to The Circle,’ I tell Ginny.

‘That’s alright, then.’

‘I’m sorry, I have to go. Lunch date with Eve, Tamsin and Maria.’

‘Good luck,’ she says.

‘I need to tell them I’m leaving. I’m sure Tamsin will be relieved.’

She laughs and hangs up.

They’re waiting for me when I arrive at the brasserie, seated at a round table. They’ve left me the place opposite Tamsin, so I give each of them a quick hug and sit down between Eve and Maria.

‘Sorry I’m late,’ I say, while Maria pours me a glass of wine. ‘I was busy packing.’

‘I thought your friend was coming to stay?’

‘No, I’ve decided to go to hers instead. But not just for the weekend. I’ve decided to go back to Harlestone for good.’

Eve pauses, her glass halfway to her lips. ‘Really?’

‘Yes.’

She puts her glass back on the table. ‘Oh.’

‘What about Leo?’ Maria asks.

‘He’s staying here.’

She puts her hand on mine. ‘I’m so sorry, Alice.’

‘Me too.’ Eve looks as if she’s about to cry.

‘Don’t worry,’ I say, leaning into her. ‘I’ll come back and see you.’

‘But you won’t be next door,’ she says mournfully.

‘I’m going to miss you all. You’ve been so welcoming.’ I pick up my glass. ‘Come on, let’s drink to our continuing friendship.’

Maria passes me a menu and we choose our meals. Eve asks me if I’m going to be able to get my house back in Harlestone and I tell her that I’ll be staying with Debbie until I can sort something out.

‘Is there any chance of you and Leo getting back together?’ Tamsin asks.

‘No,’ I say, reaching for my glass. ‘I don’t think so.’