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“It must be a lot to take in.”
“Sergeant Proctor says he’ll go to prison.” Sally’s voice wobbled, and she paused for a moment. “I just can’t believe any of this. And he tried to get Arthur in trouble. I’m so angry with him.”
Lily nodded, but wasn’t sure what to say.
“Ironically, he’s probably going to get what he wants now,” Sally said tearfully.
“How do you mean?”
“I mean, he’s claiming all this started because I couldn’t get a job here, and he was upset about me leaving, but with him not here, I guess I’ll stick around and take care of the garden centre. At least for the time being. That’s if we even have any customers once everyone finds out what Dad did.” She exhaled a shuddering breath. “I should have told him the truth about wanting to leave the island.”
“Don’t blame yourself,” Lily said. “I’m sure there was more going on in his head than just being angry that you couldn’t find a job. Poisoning people isn’t a normal response to that.”
“You’re right,” Sally said. “I think it was more like a trigger. My mum left him, you know?”
“I didn’t know that.” Somehow, Lily had always assumed that Sally’s mum had passed away, but she’d never really thought too much about it.
“She left when I was thirteen. I had the choice of going with her, and I think I’d have gone if I hadn’t felt so sorry for my dad. Mum wanted a career and felt she couldn’t achieve what she wanted living here. She’s a very successful lawyer now, in Bristol.”
“Is she part of the reason you wanted to move there?”
“Yes, but again, I felt bad for my dad. I guess I was right to worry about how he’d handle it.” She fell silent again for a moment. “Have you seen PC Grainger? The sergeant said he was recovering, but I feel terrible.”
“He’s okay,” Lily told her, then took a breath. “Do you really think you’ll stay on St Mary’s now?”
“Arthur says he can look after the garden centre, but I can’t leave him to run the place alone. Though I guess I may end up closing it, since it wouldn’t surprise me if people boycott the place. I could hardly blame them.”
“If you and Arthur are running it, I’m certain people will support you.” She pressed her head into the side of the chair. “I know I will.”
“Seriously? You’d still take supplies from us?”
“Yes. As long as your dad doesn’t have anything to do with the place.”
“Thank you. That’s sweet of you. Are you all set for the grand opening today?”
“I think so.” She didn’t like to mention that she was waiting to find out if Gordon had poisoned her ice cream. The poor woman had enough to worry about.
“I’m sorry, but I won’t be there to support you. I can’t show my face at the moment.”
“I understand,” Lily said. “Don’t hide away for too long, though. None of this is your fault.”
“Thank you for being so lovely,” Sally said. “I hope you have a great turnout today.”
“Thanks.” Lily told her she’d talk to her soon and ended the call.
She didn’t budge from the chair until Ted returned an hour later.
“And?” she asked, letting him into the flat.
“He didn’t tamper with any of the food he gave you,” Ted said, following her into the kitchen.
“Okay.” She wasn’t particularly reassured. “Of course he’d say that, though. How do we know he’s telling the truth?”
“He admitted to considering it, but apparently Sally had been keen to visit the ice cream shop and he was concerned about her being poisoned.”
“So he has his limits?” Lily asked mockingly. “He draws the line at poisoning his own daughter.” She leaned against the counter. “I’m still not sure I can trust his word.”
“You would if you’d seen the way Sergeant Proctor spoke to him. He really read him the riot act, warning him how much more trouble he’d be in if any children ended up harmed because of him.” He wrapped an arm around Lily’s shoulders and she slumped against him. “I genuinely don’t think there’s a problem with the ice cream. You also said you tested it, didn’t you?”