Page 22 of A Very Bookish Murder
‘Yes, not that she particularly wanted him on a permanent basis, of course, but that was what Jodi did. Always trying to be the femme fatale. Tom was weak and stupid, but of course he came crawling back when she eventually spat him out. And do you know what?’
Wide-eyed, Ally shook her head.
‘I didn’t want the bugger either! So we divorced and I took myself and my daughter down to Penzance, where we’d spent many happy holidays. I’ve remarried and we’ve lived there for thirty-five years. And we love it!’ She paused. ‘Have you tried these biscuits? The ones with the chocolate on them? They aresoyummy!’ With that, she picked one up, dunked it into her tea and popped it into her mouth a split second before it disintegrated.
‘Wow!’ Ally exclaimed. ‘I suppose it’s fair to say that you didn’t like Jodi much?’
‘Hatedher at the time,’ Morwenna agreed cheerfully. ‘But I don’t hold a grudge against her now because, let’s face it, she did me a favour in the long run, and I have another husband now. Still, I think it’s for sure that she’s upset somebody badly round here, don’t you?’
Ally nodded as she gulped her tea and wondered exactly why Morwenna had come on this course.
‘In case you’re wondering why I’m here,’ Morwenna continued blithely as if she’d read Ally’s mind, ‘I came on this course partly out of pure curiosity. I wanted to see what she looked like now. And I suppose I must have given her a bit of a shock because she didn’t know my new surname, and so she wouldn’t have known it was me until I got here.’
‘I’m coming to the conclusion that Jodi was less than popular generally,’ Ally admitted, wondering just how crowded her suspect board was going to become. Was Morwennareallynot bothered by something that had happened so many years before? Surely her pride would have been dented a little? Shewould require adding to the board, probably at four or five o’clock.
Morwenna was now chatting with Anne, the retired nurse, and Ally turned her attention to the rather drab woman sitting on her other side. She had long, straight hair, pale skin and a permanent frown. She was certain that this was the seventh woman who’d admitted to visiting the ladies’ room.
‘I’m Laura,’ she said, confirming Ally’s suspicions. ‘I think I’m a suspect cos I left this room during that coffee break.’
‘I bet you wish you hadn’t,’ Ally remarked with a smile.
‘Bloody right!’ said Laura, draining her cup and waving at one of the other women who was standing by the trolley. ‘I’m going up for a refill.’ With that, she stood up, headed towards the tea trolley and began chatting to her friend.
Ally was none the wiser whether Laura had any history with Jodi, but then there hadn’t been much time for her to be particularly forthcoming. Ally made a mental note to try to find an opportunity to talk to her again.
She looked around and decided that this was as good a time as any to make her escape when Della Moran appeared at her side.
‘I enjoyed your talk,’ she said politely.
‘Well, thank you,’ Ally replied. ‘I had nothing prepared because they only asked me last night. How are you?’
Della shook her head. ‘Women can be very bitchy,’ she said.
‘They all seem so nice individually,’ Ally remarked with a sigh. Except Laura, she thought, who was bordering on rude.
‘They’re all trying to save their own skins,’ Della continued, ‘which is why they’re giving me a hard time. But, believe me, I’m not the only one whose stories she pinched! And I really wish I was staying up at your malthouse because they’re all gunning for me here.’
Ally thought for a moment. ‘Brigitte’s husband is due to arrive today and she’s moved into what was Jodi’s room, which is a double. Penelope’s now on her own in a twin-bedded room so I suppose you could always move in with her.’
Della rolled her eyes heavenward. ‘She’s so feckingloud!’
‘I’m told she snores loudly too,’ Ally added with a grin.
‘I think I’ll stay right here then,’ Della said.
Della was a very attractive woman with her shoulder-length red hair and very blue eyes, which was a quite unusual combination. Ally estimated that she was in her fifties and wondered how, from somewhere near Belfast, she had become involved with Jodi.
‘The thing is,’ Della went on, ‘Jodi Jones was supposedly a reputable editor as well as a successful writer. She advertised her editing and proofreading skills in the writing magazines and online. She had her own website. And she charged a bloody fortune to look through your manuscript. “Let me sort out your books and I can almost guarantee publication” she spouted. So people did. And I’ll bet that half of the women in this room probably did.’
‘Was she a good editor?’ Ally asked.
‘Yes, she was. She was excellent, and she was considered to be worth the money. But that’s notallshe did!’
‘Really?’
‘Oh no!’ Della leaned forward and placed her hand on Ally’s arm. ‘Like I said, she pinched all her ideas from other people’s stories.’
‘Do you really think so?’ Ally asked.
