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‘Did she join him?’

‘She finished the cut, then ran outside. She was back in a few minutes to do the blow-dry.’

‘Did you recognise him?

‘No, though I thought he looked a bit familiar. She didn’t tell me who he was, either.’

‘Were you not curious?’

‘Of course I was, but me and Edie never had that kind of relationship. Her private life was always off limits. I knew very little about her.’

‘How long had she worked here?’

‘Two years give or take.’ Marge turned up her nose.

Martina thought she would be grumpy too if she had to work here. ‘What did he look like?’

‘Who?’

‘This man who called to see Edie?’

Marge thought for a moment, chewing her lip. ‘Hard to say, really. I only got a glimpse of him. Why did I think he was familiar, though?’

‘You tell me?’

‘Give me a minute and it’ll come to me.’

‘Okay. Did her mood change after that?’

‘Not really. Same old Edie, always with a puss on her.’

Martina felt sorry for Edie, who didn’t seem to have had anyone fighting her corner. ‘So she didn’t talk about him or mention any personal information?’

‘Edie? Never.’

‘Did ye ever go for drinks after work?’

‘We did.’ Mock surprise, as if it was the most natural thing in the world to do. ‘But Edie rarely joined us. We hardly ever asked her, to be honest. Who wants a killjoy at drinks? And she was a good bit older than us, like way older.’ Marge seemed to think she’d said something wrong and added, ‘Not that it made any difference, but still. It’d be like having your mammy out drinking with you.’ She laughed. Martina thought it was plain sad.

‘Did she ever say that she felt afraid of anyone?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Did she feel threatened?’

‘I’ve no idea. She may have done, but she didn’t say.’

‘Okay. Thanks, Marge. We will have to interview all the staff at some stage, but if you think of anything at all, please phone the station.’

‘Will do. The boss will be back from her holiday on Wednesday. God, it’s hard to believe that Edie is gone. It’s awful.’

Martina headed for the door, mulling over everything the young woman had told her. She imagined the staff now had a new topic to gossip about with their clients.

‘Hey. Hold on.’

‘Yes?’ She stalled with her hand on the door as Marge came up to her. A waft of hair products and cheap perfume preceded her.

‘I know why the guy looked familiar. I think he’s the chef in Danny’s.’