‘She’s quite something. I like her. So does Pye, and he doesn’t like anyone, not straight away.’
‘They’re two of a kind, Pye and Oxana.’
‘Yet you call her your angel.’
‘She is my angel.’
Philippa spoons instant coffee into the mugs. ‘It’s good to see you happy, Eve.’
‘You too.’
‘They arrested several members of that drug gang. Just local dealers, but it’s a start.’
‘I heard.’
‘It was strange. The day after the arrests someone pushed an envelope under the front door. Inside was a note, unsigned.“Apologies for what happened to the boy. You will not be hearing from us again.” And a thousand pounds in cash.’
‘Ah.’
‘I don’t suppose you’ve any idea what that was about?’
Eve smiles. ‘I did say I had my own witchcraft.’
‘Which you can’t…?’
‘Not really, no.’ She smiles. ‘How is Tom?’
‘Much better. Helping Jack Demerell with his charity. Jack’s very pleased with him. Started teaching him to drive. Says he might even be able to start paying him.’
‘And… Jack, how’s he?’
‘Jack’s a survivor.’ She walks to the fridge, takes out a carton of milk, and places it on the table. ‘He loved you, you know. Probably still does.’
Eve drops her gaze. ‘What can I say?’
‘Nothing.’ She sits down. ‘You’ve made your choice, and you’ve chosen your dark angel.’
‘What do you mean, dark?’
Philippa lifts Eve’s hand, glances at the Medusa ring, and smiles faintly. ‘You know exactly what I mean.’
A couple of hours later, Eve and Oxana are sitting on a grassy hillside, overlooking the town. Eve is absently chewing a sorrel stalk.
‘It’s so strange,’ Oxana says.
‘What?’
‘You growing up here. Going to school here. All those years of your life. And you never mentioned it.’
‘You never asked me.’
‘I know, I wish I had. Did you know Philippa then?’
‘No.’
‘And that business with her son that you told me about. Did Johnny fix that, like you asked?’
‘Seems like he did, yes. A favour for a favour.’