‘So, you’ve phoned the police.’
‘Not exactly.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘There’s something I need to do first.’
‘Is it something to do with that phone call earlier?’
The lift doors opened. Faye followed him inside.
‘I have to find someone.’ Jake kept his eye on the red digits above the door that were counting down toG.
‘Can’t it wait until after work?’
‘No,’ said Jake firmly.
The lift door opened, and they made their way to the car park.
‘Look, if we take a detour to my house—’
‘Is that where you’ll find this person you’re looking for?’
‘No, but if you just drop me home, I can collect my car.’ Jake pursed his lips, avoiding further conversation about the phone call as they got in her car and Faye drove out of the school gates.
‘Who’s Lydia?’
Jake turned to Faye in surprise. ‘You were listening in on my conversation.’
‘Well, I couldn’t help overhearing somebody who was sitting directly opposite me,’ she said testily. She turned her attention back to the road ahead.
‘That doesn’t mean you have tolisten,’ Jake emphasised the last word. He could hear the irritability in his voice and knew he was being unreasonable.
Faye glanced his way. ‘It’s family, isn’t it?’
In the cold light of day, he was beginning to regret the previous night. Faye was obviously not happy about the amount of time he was spending with her daughter, and he was not happy that Faye, who had shared with him the details of some familial woes, may expect him to do the same.
He gave in – a little. ‘Lydia is my brother-in-law Marcus’s fiancée.’
‘What happened to him?’
‘I don’t know.’ Jake sighed heavily. ‘They probably had another fight.’ Jake rubbed his temples; he could feel the early stages of a tension headache coming on.
‘Another fight?’ Faye repeated. ‘Doesn’t sound like a match made in heaven.’
He stole a glance at Faye. By the look on her face, he guessed she was silently cursing herself for what she’d just said.
‘You’re right – it isn’t.’ He voiced his thoughts. ‘The thing is, I can never figure out why. On paper they should be … what did you call it?’
Faye hesitated. ‘A match made in heaven?’
‘Yeah.’
‘You’re good friends with Lydia?’
‘What makes you say that?’
‘She rang you for help. I mean, she could have gone to …’ Faye paused. ‘Oh, any number of people. What about Marcus’s parents, his father?’
