the lights returned to red before they could get through. ‘I’m not sure I was ever really cut out for it,’ she admitted, frankly, ‘and then one day I ran into a child murder too many. It affected me badly, they always did, but it got worse with each one, so in the end I decided for the sake of my sanity, and my family, I needed to change my life.’
Having no trouble understanding that, Joely regarded her fondly as she said, ‘So do you miss it?’
‘Not as much as I expected to, although in some ways you might think I’d never given it up, because I keep getting involved in cases, locally, that the police don’t have the resources for.’ She smiled and grimaced. ‘My children think I should set up as a private investigator, but I don’t see myself doing that. I’m quite happy working as an interior designer, which is mostly what I do now, and using my contacts to help those who can’t help themselves when they need it.’
Joely smiled. ‘You always were a thoroughly good person,’ she told her.
Andee laughed. ‘Glad to know the illusion is working. Now tell me about you and—’
‘Hang on, I haven’t finished. I want to know what happened when Martin got over himself and came back. You told me in an email a while ago that you’d married him, but you’re not with him now so I guess he flunked his second chance?’
Andee’s smile was wry. ‘I’m not sure I’d put it like that. He really wanted to make it work, and I guess I did too, but I’m afraid marrying him turned out to be a mistake. I’d already met Graeme by then and although I ended it between us when Martin asked me to give things another go for the children’s sake, the feelings for Graeme didn’t go away. So we came to a point when I had to tell Martin I was sorry, that I’d always love him just not in the way he wanted me to.’
Flinching, Joely imagined Callum saying the same to her. He hadn’t in so many words, but from the way he was behaving he might as well have. ‘So how did he take it?’ she asked. ‘I can’t help remembering how gorgeous he was … A shit, obviously, for doing what he did, but I’m guessing he wasn’t used to being dumped. I bet it hit him hard.’
Andee didn’t deny it.
Unable to resist feeling sorry for him, Joely said, ‘It sounds like you’re still in touch.’
‘We are. In fact, we’re quite good friends, and he and Graeme often work together. You know Graeme’s into property development, and Martin’s taken over his father’s construction business. Actually,’ she said brightening as they finally cleared the lights to head out onto the Promenade, ‘he met someone lovely about six months ago and I think it could be serious.’
Joely gave a groan. ‘Why doesn’t that cheer me up?’ she grumbled. ‘I should be happy for him, for everyone who’s happy, but I find it only gets on my nerves.’
Andee cast her a glance and they both laughed.
Sighing, Joely gazed out at the bare trees lining the boulevard and the dismal spread of the sea beyond. ‘God it’s horrible, isn’t it?’ she murmured, quickly adding, ‘I mean being dumped, not this lovely seaside town that clearly has so much going for it.’
Andee’s eyes shone with humour. ‘You’re not seeing it at its best,’ she responded, ‘but I doubt it would ever be top of anyone’s list for a romantic getaway or dream vacation.’
‘But you like it here?’
Andee nodded. ‘I’m used to it; Graeme’s here, so’s my mother – my father died, did I tell you that?’
‘You did and I sent a card, but I don’t expect you to remember. It was a difficult time for you all.’
‘Actually, I do remember, and you’re right about how hard it was. And now you’re going through it. How are you coping?’
Joely swallowed. ‘I could lie and say fine, but I still miss him all the time. It’s hard to believe more than a year has gone by since Dad went; sometimes it only feels like days. I kind of lost the plot for a while, I got angry and confused and frightened … I did things …’ She stopped, took a breath and pressed on. ‘It was like I was back to being a child. I even seemed to forget how hard it was for Mum and Jamie.’
‘I think we