‘Eve, it’s OK. I know what you meant. And I promise you, I don’t go short of a good fuck when I need one. It’s just that I don’t want the fucker round all the time, leaving mud on the stairs and frightening the cat. I’ve got secrets, like we all have, and I need my space.’
‘I hope I’m not treading on your toes.’
‘No, you’re not. I’m really happy you’re?—’
They’re interrupted by the doorbell, which Eve answers. It’s Jack Demerell. She stares at him for a moment. He’s unshaven and looks tired. She’s suddenly conscious of the smell of bacon from the kitchen.
‘Sorry to crash your breakfast,’ he says, looking from her to Philippa. ‘I wanted to ask about Tom. I meant to come yesterday evening, but I had to go and see Keanu Morgan’s mum, and that dragged on a bit.’
‘He’s a nutter, that boy,’ Philippa says. ‘What’s he done now?’
‘Nothing too serious. Hitting other children, mostly.’
Philippa leads him through the front room into the kitchen and refills the kettle from the tap over the sink. ‘You heard what happened?’ she asks.
‘Actually, yes. I just ran into Dave Kydd.’ He turns to Eve. ‘Remember him from back in the day? Tall. Good footballer.’
Eve shakes her head.
‘Well, Dave joined the police. He’s an inspector now, and he filled me in on this Finbarr Williams character. Unofficially, obviously, but confirmed he’s a known drug gang member, and that they’re looking for him.’
‘So they haven’t found him yet? He’s still on the loose?’
‘Apparently. But Dave says it’s only a question of time.’
‘I bloody well hope so.’ Philippa sighs. ‘The sooner they lock that bugger up, the happier I’ll be. Do you think Tom’s safe? In hospital, I mean?’
‘I’d say so. I was visiting someone there quite recently. The security’s certainly enough to deter your average drug gang member. When’s he home?’
‘Tonight or tomorrow. They said they’d ring.’
Jack nods. ‘Maybe let me know? I can suggest to Dave that someone keeps an eye on this house when he gets back.’
‘Thanks, Jack, that’d be a load off my mind.’ She looks up at the kitchen clock and frowns. ‘Eve, can you see to Jack’s tea? I’ve got to go to the vet. Pick up a prescription for Pye.’
‘Course,’ Eve says, surprised that Pye is registered with a vet. He doesn’t strike her as that kind of cat.
Eve and Jack sit in silence as Philippa walks away. ‘Thanks for yesterday,’ Eve says, as the front door bangs shut. ‘It’s beautiful up on the hills. You’re really very good with those kids.’
He looks away self-consciously. ‘I was actually wondering…’
‘Mmm?’
‘If… you’d like to go to a recital of choral music tonight.’
‘Um…’ Eve blinks. ‘Gosh. I… I don’t know anything about it. Does that mean a choir?’
‘A small one, yes. All amateurs. Sixteenth century music by English composers.’
‘Sixteenth century. That’s… Elizabeth I?’
‘So youwerelistening at school.’
‘Mmm. Every so often.’
‘The programme’s not long. Less than an hour. Traditionally followed by a visit to the pub.’
‘Um… Yeah. I’d love to. Where’s it taking place?’