Something flashes in Katherine’s eyes, too fast for me to put a name to it, but then her forehead rumples in confusion. ‘I’m sure I did.’
I shake my head. ‘No, never.’
Katherine’s smile widens as if this omission is of little consequence, but all I can think about are the times we have spoken about Alexa. Not once did Katherine let on that she lived next door.
‘Are you here about Natalya’s message?’ Katherine asks, her eyebrows dipping. ‘I hope you know that I didn’t approve of it being sent. I still very much want you to be a part of the group. I feel like we’re really forming a friendship, Janine. I’d hate for it to end now.’
As Katherine reaches for my arm, I tell myself to smile. Relax. I don’t know if her living next door to the Clarkes is suspicious. Truthfully, I can’t even be certain that she didn’t already tell me shewas their neighbour. My mind has hardly been steady recently. It’s possible I’ve forgotten. Besides, I’ve already accused one person today, I can’t accuse another. Not without proof.
‘Can we talk about the message?’ I say, pushing myself to remain calm. ‘I feel like I should explain what’s been going on, if you’ve time?’
Again, a flicker of emotion travels over Katherine’s face, but she masks it. ‘Sure,’ she says brightly, stepping back into the house. ‘Let me grab my coat and we can go for a walk.’
‘I’d rather sit, if that’s okay,’ I say. ‘I’ve hurt my ankle.’
I’m not immune to the way Katherine’s shoulders freeze. ‘But it’s a lovely brisk day. Perfect for a walk.’
‘I know, but I don’t think I’ll make it very far without having to ask you to carry me.’
Hearing the jokey tone I inject into my voice, Katherine smiles. ‘Of course. Come in.’
As I take a pained step into the hallway, it strikes me how the moody, atmospheric style outside carries through to the decor inside. The next thing to hit me is the smell. Overpoweringly floral, it’s as if someone has littered a million bowls of potpourri around the place.
‘Sorry about the smell,’ Katherine says as if reading my mind. ‘I make scent bags to keep my clothes fresh. I’ve started selling them online. Anything to earn a bit of money with writing not quite panning out yet.’
‘At least you’re writing in a home as beautiful as this.’
‘I’m glad you like it. To be honest, the house is more Eddie’s taste than mine, but I haven’t gotten around to redecorating since he passed. It’s a big job when there are this many rooms. Plus keeping things as they were reminds me of him. I can almost pretend he’s still here. Silly, really.’
‘It’s not silly at all,’ I reply.
‘Go through to the dining room and get comfortable. I’ll make us a drink,’ Katherine says as she heads to the kitchen.
After hanging my coat on the banister, I hobble down the hallway and peep into the rooms I pass, marvelling at the uniqueness of Katherine’s home. Decorative vases and brass antiques litter every available surface, casting shadows on luxurious patterned wallpapers. Peeping into the living room, I hunt for signs that Alexa Clarke could have been here. Two mugs, two books on the coffee table, anything that hints at the presence of a second person, but there are none.
As much as I would love to explore the rest of the house, my ankle begs me to rest. When I reach the dining room, I slot into a seat at the head of the table. There, I study an impressive artwork depicting a bleak mid-winter day that’s hung over the fireplace until Katherine returns carrying two full-to-the-brim teacups.
‘Let’s hope they live up to the drinks at Coffee and Cake,’ she quips, setting them down.
‘This is much better. We’ve no Margie listening to what we’re saying.’
Katherine titters at my joke. ‘She is a character, isn’t she? I’ve tried to add someone like her to a book before, but alas, Margie is stranger than fiction.’
‘Imagine if you did create a character in her honour. She’d probably give you free cakes for life!’
Once again, Katherine laughs. The move relaxes her, and in turn, me. This is Katherine, who I have tea with once a week. Katherine, who shares her writing with me. So what if I didn’t know where her house was? That doesn’t mean there’s anything for me to fear.
‘Speaking of books, I should explain my side of Natalya’s message,’ I say, resting my forearms on the table. ‘I need you toknow that I was only talking to Otis to help find Alexa. I wasn’t copying anyone’s work.’
Katherine waves her hand to dismiss my comment. ‘It’s fine. Natalya doesn’t own this story.’
‘But I’m not writing about Alexa. I’m not writing about a missing woman at all. If you could see my manuscript, you would know how true that statement is.’
‘I believe you. Although I must say, your time with Otis will have provided valuable insights should you ever decide to write about that topic again.’
When I sip my tea, the liquid is so hot it scalds my tongue. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, you must have seen something that could be useful for your writing. Maybe an interaction with the police or a mannerism you could use to bring to life a guilty character. Something Otis said, perhaps?’