Page 24 of Sun, Sea & Strawberry Shortcake
And I’d hate to think something bad would happen to youand Jodie.
Yours sincerely
A well-wisher
I shiver. ‘Oh, that’s horrible. The threatis just implied. But it’s just as frightening as the sender openly sayingthey’re going to harm you.’ I shake my head. ‘Who the hell would write such athing?’
Bee sighs. ‘Someone who wants rid of us.’
I shrug. ‘Norma?’
‘Maybe.’
‘I think you should tell the other girls about the letters,but make sure Norma is there when you do. Then you can gauge her reaction.’
Bee nods. ‘Good idea. I will.’
‘Mummy? Ruby’s ice-cream’s all melty now,’ calls Jodie.‘I’ve ate some because it’s bad to waste food.’
Chuckling, Bee and I head through to the kitchen.
*****
When I return to Moonstone Cottage, Hudson’s back fromJoanna’s. The late afternoon sun is still shining down from a clear blue sky,so we go out into the garden.
‘Isn’t this lovely?’ I lie on a sun lounger, wriggling withpleasure as Hudson rubs sun cream into my back. ‘What’s Joanna doing tomorrow?’I ask nonchalantly, as if I’m not really bothered.
‘Shopping for souvenirs, I think she said.’
‘Ah. Right. Just locally? Or further afield?’LikeCardiff.Or the Outer Hebrides.
He shrugs. ‘Not sure.’
‘Ah, well.’ I sigh happily. Hudson’s moved on to my legsnow, smoothing the suncream in with his lovely, capable hands. ‘I hope she hasa pleasant trip.’
Hudson clears his throat and when I peer round, he’s givingme an amused look.
‘What?’ I ask innocently.
He shakes his head. ‘Nothing.’
‘Look, I don’t have a problem with Joannaper se.Iknow you’ve got things to sort out at work and I understand that. Honestly, Ido.’
‘It’s quite a big problem, actually. Otherwise there’s noway I’d allow work to interfere with our time together.’
‘I know. I know. So what is it? This big problem?’
He looks away, snapping the top on the suncream. ‘Nothingyouneed to worry about,’ he says, which instantly causes my hackles to rise. Hemight as well have patted me and told me not to bother my pretty little headwith complicated men’s business!
‘Well, how comeJoannais allowed to worry about it.But not me?’ I’m cringing at how petty I sound, but I can’t seem to help it.
‘Erm, because Joanna happens toworkfor me?’Grinning, he slaps my bum so it wobbles like a jelly, and heads off to thekitchen to fetch a beer.
And then... Joanna herself pops her headover the fence.
‘Hi, Ruby! Enjoying the sun?’
I grit my teeth but force myself to be polite, turning on myside to face her and removing my sunglasses.‘We’re having a lovelytime, thank you. It’s so peaceful here.’And I’d very much like it to staythat way!
