Page 54 of A Very Bookish Murder
‘You and your feelings!’ Ross retorted. ‘You’re tired, that’s what it is. It’s been a long day.’
‘But my gut instinct is usually right,’ Ally replied, crossing her fingers. Could Laura be Jodi’s love child? The way she talked about the child Jodi gave up made Ally think she wasn’t, especially as in the magazine article Jodi said that she had got her motherhood back, so presumably had had a relationship with her child again. ‘And it was just something about her attitude, as if she didn’t care one way or the other if I believed her or not. Very matter of fact.’ Ally paused. ‘I’ll bet you a tenner it isn’t her!’
‘I’ll remember that!’ Ross said with a grin. ‘Not that we’re ever likely to find out because this case doesn’t look like being wound up any time soon, does it? And I assume that all these women will be leaving on Sunday, after the funeral?’
‘Yes, they are. Amir says that he wants it all wound up, done and dusted, by the time of the funeral on Sunday. I suppose he’s hoping to have the case solved before all the likely suspects head for home.’
‘He’s a nice guy, Ally, but he’s no Sherlock Holmes, for God’s sake! I mean, the funeral’s the day after tomorrow, so I truly think he’s living in cloud cuckoo land!’
‘He’s bound to know stuff he hasn’t told me,’ Ally said defensively, ‘and I have an idea that just might be able to help.’
‘And what might that be?’ Ross asked, looking sceptical.
‘I thought we might have one last brainstorming session on an idea for a story, and I thought we could use the circumstances of Jodi’s death as a possible scenario.’
‘And how would that help?’
‘I thought I’d suggest that, if we had a final writing session here, they might be more relaxed, particularly if I could dose them with some gin and tonics and see if anyone lets anything slip.’
‘I think we need to drink to that,’ said Ross, digging a bottle of wine out of the cupboard. ‘And what about poor old Rigby?’
‘Perhaps I should ring Rigby this evening,’ Ally said, looking at the pine clock on the wall. ‘We don’t know if he’s been to the mortuary yet.’
‘I’ll guess he has,’ Ross remarked, handing her a glass of Shiraz. ‘But there’s only one way to find out.’
‘I thought I would phone him a little later because I was wondering if he was planning to come to the funeral,’ Ally said.
‘That’ll depend on the result of the DNA,’ Ross pointed out. ‘I don’t suppose he’ll come otherwise. But don’t leave it too late tophone him because I bet that Cathy makes him go to bed early! Which we should be doing, after our sleepless night!’
Ally laughed. ‘I’ll phone him shortly. Incidentally, I’ve been invited to a “girls’ night out” dinner at the Craigmonie with all of them tomorrow evening. A sort of farewell meal.’
‘The last supper?’ Ross raised an eyebrow. ‘Just as well I’ve got to be at home tomorrow night. I think I told you that these Canadians who’ve booked the Big Barn for a couple of weeks aren’t arriving until late tomorrow evening. Apparently, their flight doesn’t land until four or five in the afternoon, after which they have to pick up their car and then drive all the way up here.’ He paused. ‘So, while you’re having some boozy last supper with the girls, what’s Brigitte’s husband going to be doing with himself, I wonder?’
Ally shook her head. ‘No idea, but I assume he’s not invited. What do you fancy for dinner tonight? I have a couple of pasta dinners in the freezer.’
‘Sounds good,’ said Ross.
‘OK, I’ll heat up the oven and make a salad,’ Ally said.
They’d finished eating by half past seven, and Ally decided that, if she could keep awake, it was time to phone Rigby in case he did go to bed early. She was so accustomed to referring to him as just ‘Rigby’ that she still found it difficult sometimes to remember to refer to him as ‘Bob’.
‘Hello, Ally,’ he said. ‘How are you?’
‘I’m fine thanks, Bob,’ Ally replied, ‘but, more to the point, how areyou?’
‘Improving every day,’ he said.
‘That’s great.’ Ally hesitated. ‘I just wondered if…’
‘If I’d been to the undertaker’s?’ Rigby supplied.
‘Yes,’ Ally said.
‘I have been, and it was a traumatic experience seeing her one last time. I also got the results of the DNA test and, Ally, shewasmy sister. My sister, Joanne.’
Ally detected a little crack in his voice. ‘I’m so very sorry. But at least you know now, so I suppose that’s something.’
‘I’m glad to have found her, even if it was too late. It’s been a strange, almost life-changing experience, and now I feel the need to talk to everyone who knew her. And her child? Where are they? Have you heard anything?’
