said that, because Charles would no more have an affair than do a bungee jump dressed as a banana.’
Leo nearly choked on her wine as an image of a long and yellow Charles sprang into her mind.
‘Good grief, what on earth made you come up with that particular analogy?’ Leo asked, laughing openly at Fiona’s strangely serious expression.
‘I don’t know. It was the most ridiculous thing that I could think of; that, and Charles having an affair.’
‘Did he give you any excuse for his comment, particularly if it wasn’t true?’ Leo asked.
‘He said that I was behaving like a strumpet. His words, not mine. I thought I was just having a good time, and it was a bit of a gloomy old night, wasn’t it? Anyway, he thought that it might shock me into silence; a strategy which unfortunately failed. I know you think he’s a boring old fart, Leo, and to some extent you might be right. But he does have some redeeming features you know.’
‘I’m sure he does, and as long as you’re happy that’s all that counts.’
Leo was watching Fiona’s face carefully. She didn’t seem to be behaving any differently to normal and didn’t give the impression that she was worried about anything, and particularly not Charles.
‘Well, you have to admit that it was good of him to agree to move back up here even though he has a hell of a commute, and he’s away from home every night except Saturday and Sunday, so I have the house - and my bed - to myself.’
Leo took a mouthful of the delicious salad. She needed to keep an impassive face. She swallowed the food and took a sip of water.
‘Does he never come home until Saturday, then? Could he not get back on a Friday night?’ she asked, as if it were of no real interest.
‘When we first moved up here, he used to come home on Friday, but recently he’s said that at the end of a long week it’s good to go back to his own flat to relax, and then make the journey on a Saturday morning. I don’t mind, if that works best for him.’
Leo said nothing. If Charles hadn’t been here on Friday night, what did the police want to talk to him about? Did Fiona know?
‘He’s not gone back this week, though,’ Fiona added, frowning. ‘He said he’d decided to take a week off, although God knows why. He’s hanging around the house looking bored, as if I’m supposed to provide him with some entertainment. For me, it’s life as normal. If that means that I have to go out, he will have to amuse himself. I have a feeling that he thought Saturday night was a bit upsetting all round and that maybe I would be grateful for his support. I have absolutely no idea where he got that notion from.’
‘When you came into the shop yesterday, the natives were all a bit over-excited about the accident,’ Leo said, thinking carefully about her every word. ‘You know what this place is like - without gossip, I think some of the locals would die of boredom.’
‘True - and I’ve been at the sharp end of that gossip more than once, I can tell you. But I’ve heard nothing about the accident. I thought you might know more - with Ellie looking after the girl, Max and Pat knowing her from school and you all having the benefit of the dashing policeman next door. I would have thought if anybody was in the know, it would be you.’
Leo shook her head, more convinced than ever that Fiona knew nothing, but surprised that Charles had made a sudden decision to stay in Cheshire this week. Why would he do that? Leo felt a jolt of concern for Fiona who she realised was watching her, waiting for her response.
‘Ellie says Abbie’s still in a coma, poor kid. Pat seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth, and the dashing policeman as you call him isn’t a policeman at the moment, and if he was I doubt he would share anything. I understand they’ve been interviewing everybody who was caught on camera on Friday night, though.’
Fiona glanced up from her food, and looked at Leo through slightly narrowed eyes. She’s assessing what I know, Leo thought. She leaned back in her chair, careful to keep her face blank.
Fiona placed her knife and fork together on the plate.