‘Of course,’ Bell smiled, folding the clothes and plumping the sofa cushions too, shuffling the weekend papers into a neat pile and getting down on her knees to put the stray Sylvanian Family figurines back into their box. She was aware they were both at pains to be very busy and very jolly. She looked up. Hanna was pouring the fresh juice into a jug. ‘So Max got out here okay?’
‘Oh yeah, you know what he’s like – this is his happy place. Nothing can stop him coming out here.’
‘Did you go anywhere?’
‘We took the boat round to Swan Lake on Saturday and had a picnic there. We gathered the greenery for the girls’ garlands. It’s a good spot – lots of cotton grass and hare’s tail to put in with the flowers.’
‘I hope you took photographs.’
‘Of course.’
Bell watched as Hanna went to the freezer and shuffled ice cubes from a tray into the jug. ‘The girls mentioned you’ve lost your ring. Please say that was a ploy to get them to –’ But her eyes fell to her boss’s hands and the conspicuous tan line around her index finger.
‘I’m afraid not.’ Hanna wrung her hand anxiously.
‘Oh, Hanna,’ she said quietly, knowing what it meant. Hanna’s ring had been designed with two pear-cut aquamarines, set side by side but facing in opposite directions so that they appeared to nestle together. Max had given it to her when the twins were born. Hanna always laughed that it was her ‘push’ ring, but – with the benefit of full disclosure about her first husband, now – it was clearly a substitute engagement, wedding and eternity ring in one.
‘I know. I’m beside myself about it. And Max is . . . well, he’s just so upset. It had huge sentimental significance.’
‘I know it did.’ Not to mention, it must have cost a bomb. ‘God, I’m gutted for you. Do you know what happened?’
Hanna swallowed. ‘I don’t, really.’
‘You didn’t see it come off?’
‘No.’
‘Feel it?’
She shook her head.
‘When was the last time you remember seeing it?’
‘A few days ago? I can’t be sure. I never take it off, so I don’t notice it in the way I might something else.’
‘No, of course. But you think you might have lost it on the beach?’ Bell looked out at the twins still digging, still chatting happily.
‘Maybe.’ She shrugged, seemingly giving up. ‘It could be anywhere.’
‘Well, you have lost weight recently,’ Bell said lightly, sensing the observation trod on dangerous territory somehow. She stood up and crossed the room with the piles of clothes and toys, setting them down on the island. ‘It must have slipped off your finger.’
‘Yes.’ Hanna stared at the offending hand, her brow furrowed. ‘I knew it was getting too big. I should have . . . I should have taken it off when I had the chance.’ Her voice sounded strained, bitterness inflecting the words.
‘You mustn’t blame yourself. These things happen. Is it insured?’
‘Yes, but . . .’ She trailed into silence.
‘I know, it’s not about the money,’ Bell murmured. ‘God, I’m so sorry, I really am.’
The sound of bare feet, sounding sticky on the wooden floors, made them both look up as Linus walked through, his hair a deliciously wild tangle that told Bell he hadn’t brushed it once since she’d left before the weekend either. His sleepy eyes brightened somewhat at the sight of her.
‘Hey, champ,’ she grinned, ruffling his hair as he leaned in to her briefly by way of greeting.
‘Hey.’
‘You look like you were hibernating, not sleeping!’
He grinned as he shook his cereal, already on the counter, into a bowl. ‘It’s ‘cos it’s so quiet here.’
‘I know. Good, huh?’ She squinted at him suspiciously. ‘Have you grown?’
His mouth turned up in a lopsided smile at the tease. ‘You’ve only been gone three days.’
‘Yeah, well, I missed you,’ she said, ruffling his head again as she picked up the pyjamas and toys. ‘Now, I’m going to put these away. Have you made your bed?’
He rolled his eyes. ‘Not yet. I only just got out of it.’
‘Okay, well, when you’re finished eating, do that and we can make a plan for the day. I think we should let Mamma have a day to herself, don’t you?’
She looked to Hanna for clarification that was okay, to find her boss looking back at her with a grateful stare that bordered on desperate.
‘Great. Well then, get your thinking cap on for where to go.’