Just Like the Other Girls - Claire Douglas Page 0,84

mistake but …’ he points to my face with a sad smile ‘… the nose ring.’

I remember what Courtney had told me about Una arranging to meet Peter on the bridge the night she died. ‘Una’s friend said Una thought she was meeting you that night.’

The groove between his eyebrows deepens. ‘The police said something about that. But it wasn’t me. I was working and the police took my phone and analysed it.’

I stare at him sceptically. I wonder if he has an alibi. And he could have used a burner phone. Isn’t that what they’re called on those TV crime dramas?

He hangs his head. ‘I feel awful about it. Una rang me a few times and left messages, but work was crazy and I was on long shifts and never got the chance to call her back.’

I’m conscious of the time ticking by and Elspeth waking to find I’ve not returned with the books. ‘I’m sorry, I have to go. I’m working.’

‘Can you meet me tonight after work?’

I pull an apologetic face. ‘I’m sort of on call twenty-four/seven.’

‘What?’ He looks shocked. ‘I don’t remember Jemima having that arrangement.’

I shrug. ‘She pays amazingly well for what I do. And I need the money. But I get two days off a week. I could meet you on Saturday.’

‘I’m not sure … I’ve driven all this way.’

‘Then contact Courtney. She was Una’s best friend. She knows more about it all than I do.’ I take my mobile out of my bag and reel off Courtney’s number. Peter taps it into his phone. ‘I’d better go. And … I’m really sorry. About Jemima. And Una.’

I leave him standing in the middle of the street and head towards the art gallery.

Kathryn isn’t there when I arrive and I’m greeted by a voluptuous girl with long hair piled on top of her head and bright red lipstick. She introduces herself as Daisy.

‘Do you know when she’ll be in?’

She looks at her watch. ‘Should be here any minute. She’s late this morning. Some family emergency.’

Family emergency? I wonder what that could be. Elspeth was fine when I left her. But what if something’s happened while I’ve been out? It’s taken longer than I anticipated to get here because I ran into Peter.

I explain why I’m here and Daisy’s pretty face falls. ‘I really don’t think I should be giving you that sort of thing without Kathryn’s permission,’ she says, her full lips turning down at the sides.

‘But they’re for Kathryn’s mum, who owns this place.’

She shrugs in a what-can-I-do? kind of way.

‘I’ll wait,’ I say stubbornly.

Daisy nods. ‘Do you want a cup of tea, then?’

I’ve still got my lukewarm takeaway coffee so I refuse but I follow her to the end of the gallery while she makes one for herself.

The place is spacious. Everything is white – the desks, the walls – I’m assuming to highlight the artwork. The collection is varied – some paintings are bold and modernistic, others more traditional. While Daisy is boiling the kettle I take a closer look, blanching at the price tags. ‘Not busy today?’ I say, noting how empty the shop is.

‘It comes in fits and starts.’ She walks out of the back room nursing a mug. ‘Come and sit down if you want.’

She leads me to a large desk by the door. She takes the chair behind it and I sit in one opposite that is meant for customers. She chats away, asking how I’m enjoying working for Elspeth, and saying how awful it was that Una died. ‘She seemed really sweet, too,’ she says, sipping her tea thoughtfully. ‘And I liked Jemima. I never met the first one, though. I’ve only been working here six months.’ She leans across the desk. ‘Do you know if the police are investigating? I mean, it’s weird, don’t you think? All three girls dying like that.’

I try to look unconcerned. ‘It’s a coincidence, that’s all.’

Daisy isn’t convinced. ‘It’s like the house is cursed. You should be careful.’

‘Lucky, then, that I don’t believe in curses!’

She looks affronted and sits back in her chair. She doesn’t say anything for a few seconds, and then, ‘My boyfriend used to work there. Says there was always a funny atmosphere about the place. Sinister, you know?’

I put my coffee cup on the desk. ‘You should be careful what you’re saying. That’s your boss you’re talking about. And, for the record, I don’t know what your boyfriend means. It’s a lovely house. Elspeth has been nothing but