Next Door to Murder by Anthea Fraser

Secretary on the line,’ Carla said expressionlessly, ‘enquiring if you’d be free to lunch with him tomorrow.’
    â€˜Oh God!’ Dominic flung himself back in his chair. ‘Dress code sackcloth and ashes, I presume?’
    â€˜He suggests his club,’ Carla continued, ‘and apologizes for the short notice, but the summer recess starts on Thursday.’
    When he made no comment, she added, ‘You’ve not much choice, have you?’
    He ran a hand through his hair. ‘This, I could do without. Why couldn’t the silly girl do as I suggested, instead of running bleating to her father?’
    â€˜Probably thought he had more clout.’
    â€˜He’s always seemed a laid-back sort of chap,’ Dominic said reflectively, ‘but admittedly that was before I toyed with his ewe lamb. You’re right, though, I’ll have to go.’ He straightened, his face brightening. ‘And when you’ve accepted with due thanks, see if you can get me a mid-morning appointment with Brocklehurst. No point in wasting a trip to London.’
    The phone rang stridently, breaking Avril’s concentration on the television programme she was watching. Pressing the mute button on the remote, she went to answer it.
    â€˜Mrs Parish? Guy Lacey here. Sorry to trouble you, but Sarah’s mobile’s switched off.’
    â€˜It would be,’ Avril replied. ‘She’s gone to the cinema.’
    â€˜Then I wonder if you’d be kind enough to give her a message? She asked me to collect her music centre; she’ll want it at home during the summer, and can’t fit it into her car. I’d intended to come on Thursday, when she breaks up, but something’s come up and I shan’t be able to make it. So could you tell her I’ll call round tomorrow instead, about seven thirty, if that’s all right?’
    â€˜I’ll tell her, yes.’
    â€˜And perhaps she could phone me, to confirm it’s OK?’
    â€˜I’ll see she gets the message.’
    â€˜Thanks very much.’ A pause. ‘Did you enjoy your lunch at the Clarendon?’
    â€˜I did, thank you. And you?’
    â€˜It was a good send-off for my colleague, but I have to confess I don’t care for all-male occasions. Too much booze consumed, for one thing, and I’m getting too old for that; I always pay for it later. Was yours a special occasion?’
    â€˜My daughters’ birthday.’
    â€˜Both of them, of course. I must say they’re very alike.’
    â€˜On the surface, maybe.’
    â€˜But it’s only skin deep? Well, that’s what makes life interesting, isn’t it? Not that I’d know, having only one.’
    â€˜Oh, life’s been interesting, all right.’
    He laughed. ‘Right. Well, see you tomorrow, perhaps? And thanks for taking the message.’
    See you tomorrow, perhaps? Avril repeated to herself as she restored sound to the television. Yes, she thought she could promise him that.

Six
    R ona was in the archive room the next morning when her mobile rang, and she answered it to hear her sister’s agitated voice. Unusually, they’d not spoken for over a week, when Lindsey had been so unforthcoming about her French trip.
    â€˜Can you meet me for lunch, Ro? I need to see you.’
    Rona felt a wave of irritation. Another of Lindsey’s crises, no doubt. ‘Actually, Linz, it’s not very convenient. I’m working at last, and—’
    â€˜You have to eat,’ Lindsey said sharply.
    Rona thought of the salad in the fridge across the landing. No doubt it would keep till tomorrow, and it wasn’t as though she was paid on an hourly basis. In fact, the Willows weren’t paying her at all, but she’d hoped for a clear day to start her research.
    â€˜Well?’ Lindsey said impatiently. ‘You’re in Marsborough, aren’t you?’
    â€˜Yes, off Alban