‘Work, work, all you care about is this bloody hotel.’ He gave a snort of disgust. ‘If you’d come down to London more often, none of this would have happened and we’d still be together.’
Didi was pierced with a mixture of sadness and relief. Maybe that was true. All she knew was that if Shay hadn’t returned to Elliscombe, remembering what real love felt like might have passed her by. But he had returned, all the old dormant emotions had come surging back, and she’d realised just how important those feelings were in order to live a complete life.
She might not be able to spend that life with Shay, but nor could she stay in a relationship with someone she now knew she didn’t love nearly enough.
‘We still could be together,’ Aaron persisted. ‘If you change your mind, I could make you happy.’
And in some ways he probably could. But again, not happy enough.
Didi swallowed. ‘I’m sorry. Please take the ring back.’
As if recognising finally that her mind was made up, Aaron said, ‘Are you sure?’
‘Quite sure.’ It came off her finger with ease; she’d lost weight without even being aware of it.
He zipped it into his wallet and gave her a hug, which was a far nicer way to end it than last time in London.
‘There’s more to life than just this place, remember.’ He regarded her sympathetically. ‘I hope you come to realise that.’
Didi nodded. ‘Thanks. I’ll sort myself out. You be happy too.’
The Walker-Dunns were waiting for her downstairs. For the next two hours, closeted with her in the office, they went through a long and elaborate list of requirements for the birthday celebrations to be held in January. By the time they left, having discussed everything in exhaustive detail, Didi had developed a killer headache.
‘You look exhausted,’ said Sylvia.
‘I am.’
She winked. ‘Not surprised. Sorry about interrupting the big reunion. What a shame Aaron couldn’t stay any longer.’
‘Just a flying visit. He had to get back to London.’ Didi winced, her brain feeling as if it was being squeezed in a vice. ‘Look, I don’t want this headache to turn into a migraine. I’m going to catch up on some sleep.’
‘Oh you poor thing! That’s the trouble with these romantic reunions,’ Sylvia said with a grin. ‘They do take it out of you.’
Back at Hillcrest, there were still a hundred or so mourners determined not to leave. The wake was turning into a proper party as tradition dictated, with music and dancing and wild stories from the old days being retold with relish.
It had taken Maura this long to pluck up the courage, but now the time had come. Knocking back the rest of her glass of white wine, she saw that the wobbly-chinned woman in the tight trouser suit had collected her handbag and was starting to say her goodbyes.
Maura tracked her progress around the house, then stealthily followed her outside. There were cars parked the length of the lane, and the woman was jangling a set of keys as she trotted along the verge. There would be CCTV in the jeweller’s shop; it was far safer to do it out here.
‘Hello?’ Maura quickened her pace, calling out to attract the woman’s attention. ‘Sorry to bother you, is your name Pat?’
Pat turned and nodded. ‘It is, my love. And you’re the one from the hotel. Maura, am I right?’
Maura nodded, feeling sick. ‘I used to live at the hotel. I have something . . . I asked Red, and he said you’d help me . . .’
‘Yes, he gave me a call, mentioned someone might be in touch. Didn’t say it was you, though.’ Pat’s chins wobbled as she gave a knowing smile. ‘Got it with you?’
Maura’s hands shook as she took the tightly wrapped package out of her bag. Glancing back over her shoulder at the house, she said, ‘I just want it gone, OK? Red said you could break it up, retrieve the stones and melt down the gold.’
‘I can do that, yes. Let’s just have a little look, shall we? See what we’re dealing with.’
‘Could we sit in your car?’ Maura blurted out. ‘Would that be easier?’
‘I’m just up here.’ Pat sounded amused.
Once inside the green Nissan, she unfastened the package and took out the emerald necklace.
‘I’m giving the money to charity.’
‘Of course you are.’
Pat could blackmail her, Maura realised. She watched as the woman reached across, took a jeweller’s loupe from the glove compartment and held up the necklace in order to expertly examine the stones.
‘Nice.’ She nodded. ‘We’ll say fifty-fifty, shall we?’
‘Sorry?’
‘There needs to be something in it for me, love. I don’t handle stolen goods for nothing, do I?’
‘It’s not stolen. It’s my necklace.’ As she spoke, the rear passenger door was yanked open and she jumped a mile.
Pat said easily, ‘All right, you two? Just doing a spot of business before I give you a lift to the station.’
‘What you got there then, Pat?’ Big Gav leaned forward and took the necklace from her. Oh fuck, and his wife was with him too.
‘This lady’s asking me to break it up for her. Seems a shame really. Lovely bit of workmanship. Cost a few bob, I’ll be bound.’
Fuck fuck fuck. Maura twisted round in horror to look at Big Gav, the man who’d committed the robbery in the first place.
‘Well well,’ he said cheerfully, ‘I always wondered what happened to that necklace. Because I sure as hell knew I didn’t have it.’
‘I’m giving the money to charity,’ Maura stammered.
‘Well don’t expect me to do that with my share.’ Pat’s cackle of laughter resembled a crumpled crisp packet. ‘Because it’s not gonna happen!’
Big Gav gave Maura’s shoulder a prod from behind. ‘How much is she asking for, then?’
‘Half.’ She just wanted to be gone. He reeked of cider. This was like being involved in some terrifying gangland TV drama. They could murder her right now and throw her body in a ditch, to be torn apart and eaten by foxes.
‘Hey, be nice to her,’ chided Big Gav’s wife. ‘It’s Red’s funeral, yeah? Do the decent thing and give her the cash. He’s done both of you enough favours in his time.’
‘Yeah,’ said Big Gav, ‘pay her the money and let’s get out of here. We’ve got a train to catch.’
Maura blinked as Pat opened her bag and burrowed in it before pulling out several rolls of twenty-pound notes. ‘OK then, take it. Six grand and count yourself lucky I’m in a good mood.’
‘Thanks,’ Maura mumbled, opening the passenger door and almost falling out in her hurry to escape.
‘Make sure it goes to a good cause,’ said Big Gav.
Maura just wished she could wipe the photographic images of him naked from her brain. ‘I will,’ she croaked.
‘And I never want to see you near my shop, neither,’ Pat yelled as she fired up the engine. ‘I’ve got a reputation to think of. Don’t need it being ruined by bloody amateurs.’
When Didi woke up the next morning, it was six o’clock and still dark outside, but the sound of suitcase wheels rumbling across the pavement indicated that at least one guest was checking out early.