Page 151 of Private Lives

‘We’re looking for Louise,’ said Sam, giving her his best Hollywood smile. ‘Is she around?’

The woman shook her head.

‘It’s only a half-day class today. She’ll be back home, or I think she works in a guest house along the lake as well.’

‘Could you tell me where she lives?’

Louise Allerton was out front of the house when they pulled up, a tanned blonde woman wearing a simple green shift dress, unpegging washing from a line strung between two wide-boughed trees. She continued with her task as Sam and Anna got out of the car and walked towards her.

‘Have you come about the yoga?’ she asked, picking up her basket. ‘Because I’m not giving lessons today . . . Shit, you’re Sam Charles.’

‘Yes, I am.’ He smiled, evidently pleased to be finally recognised. Anna rolled her eyes.

‘Wow. Blue Blood is one of my favourite films,’ said Louise, stuttering.

‘Mine too, actually. To film, that is,’ he added. ‘I hate watching my own films.’

‘Really? Why’s that?’ asked Louise, before Anna gave a theatrical cough and held out her hand.

‘I’m Anna Kennedy.’

‘Right,’ she said vaguely.

‘His lawyer,’ added Anna quickly.

Louise began to look nervous.

‘And you’re here to see me because . . .’

Fat spots of rain began to plop down on to the path. One, then three, then a dozen all at once. Anna squinted up, seeing the heavy dark clouds too late.

‘Can we come in for a minute?’ asked Sam, shrugging his shoulders as the rain began to soak his shirt.

Louise paused, then gestured towards the house, and they all ran inside. Louise put the washing basket in the corner and closed the shutters.

‘Can I get you tea?’ she asked, clearly unsure of how to behave with a celebrity in her home.

‘Maybe we should get straight to the point,’ said Anna kindly. ‘It’s about Amy. Amy Hart.’

Louise didn’t reply, simply turned and began taking the clothes from the washing basket, folding them and putting them away on a shelf. The rain was thrumming down on the shutters and the roof of the house. Slow and steady at first, increasing in pace until it was a roar.

‘What’s all this about?’ she said finally, turning back to them. ‘Research for a movie or something?’

‘No, we just want to find out what happened to Amy,’ said Sam.

‘Why do you care?’ snapped Louise, her hands on her hips. ‘You didn’t know her. Neither of you did. So why don’t you just keep out of things that don’t concern you?’

Anna caught Sam’s worried look. She wasn’t sure how he’d expected this to go, but Anna had certainly guessed that if Louise was scared enough to leave her career and family and run halfway across the globe, she would be frightened about talking to anyone, let alone a movie star and a lawyer who had literally walked in off the street.

‘Look, I know this must be freaking you out a bit,’ she said gently. ‘But we’re here because Amy’s sister Ruby got in touch with me after the inquest.’

‘Why?’ said Louise.

‘Ruby wanted a lawyer to challenge the inquest result.’

Louise turned away again, started putting dishes in the sink.

‘And what do you want from me?’ she said. ‘I don’t know anything.’