‘Of course,’ Katherine replies. ‘And remember, we don’t know what’s happened to Alexa yet. You could be worrying for nothing.’
‘I don’t know. I mean, the police are back at Otis’s house right now, aren’t they?’
I turn to Natalya. ‘They are?’
She nods. ‘I saw them parked on the road on the way over here. Two visits in two days. That can’t be good.’
‘It could be that they’ve discovered a lead or even found Alexa. Remember, we don’t know what’s going on within those walls,’ Katherine points out.
‘I bet the woman Otis was seen with does. They were spotted in the village. She was driving his car.’
I clutch my drink tighter, praying no one picks up on my tension.
‘Whoever she is, she’d certainly have the insider scoop,’ Katherine agrees. ‘Does anyone know her identity yet?’
Natalya shakes her head. ‘I’ve not heard anything, have you, Janine?’
‘I only know what you know. You’re the ones who give me updates,’ I lie.
‘Well, either way, let’s hope Alexa’s found alive and well soon,’ Katherine says. ‘Right now, all I can say is that a lot of people would owe Otis Clarke an apology if he were found to be innocent.’
Natalya murmurs in agreement, but I can’t find the strength to respond. The more I find out about the Clarkes, the less the word ‘innocent’ seems to apply to their situation.
We chat a little longer about Natalya’s writing, but knowing that the police are with Otis again takes up too much of my brain for me to be a good source of conversation. It’s a relief when we finish our drinks and Katherine suggests we head home.
When we leave the pub, my footsteps slow. A scowling Jim is leant on the wall outside, looking as intimidating as he did the other day. Bernie lounges by his feet, but when he sees us, he runs over, tail wagging. He sniffs us each in turn, and I crouch to stroke him.
‘It’s not like Jim to come into the village,’ Natalya whispers. ‘I thought he was banned from the pub.’
‘He is,’ Katherine mutters in response. ‘That’s what happens when you get into a fight over the cost of a drink.’
‘Maybe he’s catching up on what’s happening with Alexa Clarke, too?’ says Natalya.
‘Or maybe he’s here to cause trouble,’ Katherine replies, tightening her grip on her handbag. When she looks down at Bernie, her mouth twists. ‘Poor thing. It’s probably riddled with fleas.’
‘Bernie here is cleaner than most people in this village, yourself included,’ Jim calls, looking over at us. Natalya stifles a gasp, but I’m too busy playing with Bernie to react. I tickle him under the chin, giggling as his tail wags faster.
My laughter gets Jim’s attention. He watches me, his hard expression indecipherable. My hand comes to a stop near Bernie’s neck. I can feel his pulse beneath his fur, the steady beat highlighting how much my heart is hammering now I’m in Jim’s eyeline.
I’m about to withdraw my hand when Jim calls Bernie’s name. ‘Time to go, Bernie. Leave the woman alone.’
‘He’s no bother,’ I reply, but Jim is already walking away.
Natalya exhales when Jim and Bernie are out of earshot. ‘I swear, that man gets scarier every time I see him.’
‘Jim is certainly a character, isn’t he?’ Katherine replies. ‘I suppose he adds a bit of colour to the village. Although I’m not sure it’s a colour I’d want in my house.’
Natalya snorts, but I don’t join in. My heart is pounding too much from the chill of Jim’s stare for that.
After promising to keep sharing updates on literary agents and Alexa Clarke, we say goodbye and go our separate ways. But before I reach my car, my phone vibrates with an Instagram notification.
Opening the app, I see I’ve received a new direct message.
Janine, it’s Gabby. I didn’t know how else to get in contact with you. I don’t even know why I’m reaching out to you, but I’ve found something and I don’t know what to do. If you’re here to help like you say you are, please meet me. Does tomorrow at 11 work?
CHAPTER 26
Gabby and I swap numbers and arrange to meet at Coffee and Cake tomorrow, and for the rest of the day I’m restless and distracted. I’m so absent-minded I even slice my finger open when cooking dinner.