by Diane Janes
‘Lots of things aren’t fair,’ Mo said quietly. ‘Does Tom know?’
‘Does Tom know what?’
‘That you have turned down a proposal from an extremely eligible young man?’
‘I’ve mentioned it, yes.’
‘Mentioned it how? I thought there had to be an absolute wall of silence between the two of you.’
‘I’ve spoken to him on the telephone. I don’t believe that one call bringing him up to date on the resolution of the Sunnyside House affair can be deemed particularly suspicious. Besides which, my decree nisi came through, in spite of someone sending a very silly anonymous letter to the court, suggesting that there was something going on between myself and Tom.’
‘Any idea who was responsible?’
‘I think Tom has worked out who was behind it. When he went to the Robert Barnaby Society annual weekend at Furnival Towers, he happened to have a minute alone with a rather spiteful woman called Sarah Ingoldsby, and he commented, apropos of nothing in particular, of course, that it was quite appalling the way some people sent letters containing slanderous allegations in respect of other people’s divorce proceedings, and that people who lived in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, unless they wanted a few house bricks to land on their own doormats.’
‘Strong stuff,’ said Mo. ‘Isn’t she the woman who was so obstructive when you were investigating your first case?’
‘She is. She’s also been having a long-term affair with the Barnaby Society chairman.’
‘Ahh … And what did she have to say in return?’
‘Nothing at all. But Tom said it was obvious his arrow had hit the mark from the expression on her face, so I’m fairly confident there will be no more letters. I think it’s just a question of time before the rest of the paperwork goes through and it becomes final.’
‘Not that it will make any difference to your situation with Tom.’
‘As I keep on telling you, Mo, there is no situation between myself and Tom.’
‘As you keep on telling me.’
‘But it does mean that we can resume our friendship. Which is just as well.’
‘What do you mean “just as well”? And stop looking so arch.’
‘It seems that word of the Sunnyside House affair has spread as far as Wiltshire, where another family mystery awaits resolution.’
‘Excellent!’ exclaimed Mo. ‘I can see that I’ve got back in the very nick of time … well someone has to keep an eye on you and regularly remind you not to fall into the hands of homicidal maniacs. Now do tell me all about it …’