Page 55 of A Very Bookish Murder
‘No, I haven’t heard anything about the love child,’ Ally replied, ‘but her estranged husband and his new lady friend are here. And perhaps Desdemona will come along too, given she was friendly with her in university.’
‘Then I have a lot of talking to do on Sunday,’ Rigby said. ‘I am coming to the funeral.’
‘Good,’ Ally said, ‘so long as you feel fit enough to make the journey.’
‘Cathy’s driving me over tomorrow evening, and Callum Dalrymple has offered us free bed and breakfast for the night once I told him the situation. Isn’t that kind of him? He was very moved by the fact that Joanne was my sister and that her death had occurred in his hotel. He said it was the least he could do, and he’s also laying on refreshments for after the funeral for anyone who wants to come.’
‘He’s a good guy is Callum,’ Ally said.
‘I’m not altogether au fait with these humanist funerals,’ Rigby admitted. ‘But I hear that it was what she wanted.’
‘I believe so,’ Ally said. ‘The burial site is out near Brodale, and I guess it’ll be a new experience for us all.’
‘I’m hoping to be able to chat with everyone who knew her,’ Rigby added.
Ally wondered if she should warn him that not all the comments might be particularly favourable.
‘Amir Kandahar has been quite frank with me,’ Rigby said, ‘and I’m aware of the fact that, bestselling novelist or not, she wasn’t a particularly nice person.’ Ally heard him sigh. ‘Perhaps if our mother’s attitude had been different…? She would have had to become tough to survive, of course. Who knows? Nevertheless, I’d so like to meet my niece or nephew. Do you suppose he or she will show?’
‘I’ve no idea,’ Ally said, ‘but there’s no sign so far, although there’s been plenty of press coverage. Anyway, I shall be dining with my guests at the Craigmonie tomorrow evening, so I may see you arriving. If not, I’ll see you at the funeral.’
‘I’ll look forward to seeing you, Ally,’ he said.
‘I’m sorry I can’t be with you tomorrow night,’ Ross murmured as, finally, they curled up together in bed, ‘even if I would have to cook my own dinner and dine alone!’
‘I’m sorry too,’ Ally said, although she was secretly relieved that it was a “girls only” do. ‘I have a feeling that I might well discover something tomorrow.’
‘Do not forget,’ Ross said sternly, ‘that one of these women could be a killer. A double killer at that! Perhaps I should hang around to make sure you don’t get attacked or something.’
‘Oh,Ross! I wasn’t planning to interrogate them or anything – just let them chatter for a bit. Perhaps I can persuade them, once they’ve had some gin, to loosen up a bit. I’ve only got tomorrow because they all go home on Sunday.’ As she spoke, Ally wondered yet again if she was barking up the wrong tree. Could the killer really have come in from outside and been fortunate enough not to encounter any of the women?
‘What about Laura? Will she join you?’
‘I shouldn’t think so, although I shall ring and leave a message for her. And like I told you, I don’t honestly think that she’s the killer anyway.’
‘And like I toldyou, these feelings of yours are not necessarily accurate. Anyway, you’ll need someone to make some sandwiches, won’t you? You won’t want them drinking on an empty stomach. So I’m definitely staying until the early evening.’
Just before she fell into a deep sleep, Ally could only hope that the events about to take place over the next couple of days would not induce the killer to strike for a third time.
TWENTY-ONE
The guests appeared to be a little sad at breakfast time.
‘I can’t believe we’ll all be going our separate ways tomorrow,’ Millie said wistfully as Ally placed toast on the table. Millie had really come out of her shell these last few days and seemed much more communicative.
‘Well, I damn well don’t think that one of us is a killer!’ Penelope hollered.
‘Neither do I really. But, if someone is, then my bet’s on Laura,’ Millie said, just as Brigitte and George appeared.
‘What’s this about Laura?’ Brigitte asked as she helped herself to cereal.
‘Millie thinks Laura’s the killer in our midst,’ said Morwenna, who had moved into the malthouse last night and had chosen to share a room with Millie. Ally guessed someone else had warned her about Penelope’s snoring.
‘Well, she is a bit peculiar,’ George agreed.
Ally cleared her throat. ‘I wondered if you’d like to have a final session here for a couple of hours at lunchtime? Rain is forecast so you won’t be tempted to go far, and I thought I might join you? Perhaps I can provide some drinks and sandwiches?’
‘This sounds a tad girly!’ said George with a grin. ‘In which case I’ll go to the pub!’
