Page 20

Nova

For the next two hours, the pair stood in silence on the beach, being battered by icy wind and, at one point, driving rain. Nova was wearing her red coat and a beret, both of which were soon soaked through, causing her teeth to chatter. She was beginning to worry that she and Phyllis might catch pneumonia when the vet finally called to say that Craddock was stable but still very unwell. As far as Nova could hear, the vet was waiting for the full toxicology report, but his best bet was poisoning by something called theobromine. He wanted to keep Craddock in overnight and told Phyllis he’d call her in the morning with more news.

Nova worried that Phyllis might insist on staying on the beach all night, but thankfully she came off the phone and immediately walked off the beach, without so much as a thank-you or good-bye. Still, Nova was concerned about the poor woman. She didn’t know much about Phyllis’s personal life, but she suspected she was quite isolated, and so goodness knows what she’d do if Craddock didn’t pull through.

It was gone six by the time Nova got back to the house, freezing and desperate to sink into a hot bath. But no sooner had she walked through the front door than she found Craig waiting for her in the hall.

“Hey, where have you been? Why are you soaking?”

“It’s a long story.”

“Well, I’m afraid it’s going to have to wait, as Mum wants us to leave in fifteen minutes.”

“Where are we going?”

Craig tapped Nova’s forehead affectionately. “It’s pub quiz night, remember? Your last before you officially become a Pritchard!”

Nova’s heart sank. “Oh love, I’ve had a hideous day. Can’t we just stay at home, there’s something I need to—”

“I hope you’re not trying to wiggle out of it again,” Pamela said, sweeping into the hall. “Come on, lazybones, you have to come tonight, it’s going to be a special one.” She gave Nova a dramatic wink. “You might want to get changed and brush your hair first though.”

Nova ran a self-conscious hand through her wet, windswept hair.

“I think you look sexy, like a wild Cornish mermaid,” Craig said, smiling and kissing her. “But I’m afraid we do have to go: Mum’s been plotting something.”

Nova soon learned what Pamela’s plot was when they walked into the Anchor thirty minutes later to a roar of “surprise!” and pink confetti being thrown in her eyes.

“I know you didn’t want a hen do but you have to do something to celebrate your last days as an unmarried woman,” Pamela said. “So, I invited a few ladies along to celebrate.”

“A few ladies” turned out to be about fifteen of Pamela’s friends, most of whom Nova had never met before, plus a couple of Craig’s old schoolmates. She was relieved to see Lauren’s face among the crowd.

“Sorry, I wanted to warn you, but Mum swore me to secrecy and you know what she’s like,” Craig whispered, putting his arm round Nova’s shoulder. “Although I did make her promise no penis straws.”

“You’re not deserting me here, are you?” Nova said and Craig laughed.

“Of course not. Just put up with the fuss for a bit and then it’s the pub quiz, and everyone will be so focused on winning that you can escape and join me.”

Nova was handed a glass of prosecco, and before she knew it, she had a “Bride-to-be” sash thrown over her and a bright pink veil on her head.

“I know you refuse to wear a veil at the wedding, but you have to wear it tonight,” Pamela said, and Nova thought she saw a glint of victory in the woman’s eyes.

Nova fixed a smile on her face and launched into small talk about wedding menus (smoked salmon to start, beef or chicken and then a trio of desserts), flowers (Pamela was in charge) and honeymoon plans (on hold, as they were saving up for a house). After half an hour, she made her excuses and slunk off to the toilet. Nova’s head was thumping, not helped by the two glasses of prosecco she’d downed in quick succession, and she’d still not warmed up from her freezing afternoon on the beach with Phyllis. Nova was therefore relieved to step into the relative quiet and solitude of the loos. Yet no sooner had the door swung closed behind her than it opened again. Nova returned the rigid smile to her face, then relaxed when she saw it was Lauren.

“Thank God it’s only you.”

“How are you holding up?”

“I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but this is literally my idea of hell.”

Lauren chuckled. “I did try and tell Pamela, but she wasn’t hearing any of it.”

“I was going to say it’s sweet of her to go to all this effort, but I’m starting to think she’s done it on purpose to get her revenge over the stupid wedding photographer mess up.”

“Oh yeah, I heard about that,” Lauren said, wincing.

“I don’t even know anyone here, it’s all Pamela’s friends.”

“When are your London mates coming down for the wedding?”

“I only invited a handful, and they’re getting the train down on Saturday morning. We’re planning to have a celebration party in London in the spring, which will be more my style than Pamela and David’s.”

“Good idea. And when’s your mum arriving?”

“On Friday,” Nova said, feeling a swell of warmth at the thought. “She’s got two internal flights, then she’s flying from Bogotá to Barcelona overnight on Thursday, then from Barcelona to Bristol on Friday morning.”

“You must be so excited to see her.”

“I really am.”

Lauren paused for a moment, chewing her lip. “Look, I didn’t want to have to bring this up tonight at your hen do—”

“Unofficial hen do,” Nova interrupted with a smile.

“Sandy told me about what happened today with Michael Watkins’s wife.”

“Ah, yes,” Nova said, the smile disappearing from her face. “I’m sorry, Lauren. I realize it was stupid of me to go to her house, but I honestly had no idea it was a data protection breach.”

“You don’t have to apologize to me . I just can’t believe Sandy suspended you.”

“I really messed up.” Nova shook her head and then winced at the thumping pain.

“Sandy had another meeting with Tina at the council this afternoon,” Lauren said. “She came back with a face like thunder.”

“Did she tell you what Tina said?”

“No, but when I said I was coming here tonight, she asked me to tell you that you need to go in for a meeting at nine a.m. tomorrow.”

“Shit,” Nova said, running a hand through her hair and knocking the stupid veil off. “This is it, Lauren. She’s going to fire me.”

“Christ, I’m so sorry.”

Nova gave a small, dry laugh. “Sacked two days before my wedding. That must be some sort of record.”

“What did Craig say?”

“I’ve not had a chance to tell him yet, we’ve not been alone all day.”

“Nova, you have to tell him soon. You know how fast gossip travels round St. Tredock, and he’ll be upset if he hears about it from someone else.”

Outside the door, Nova could hear the landlord on the microphone, telling people to get their drinks in before the quiz started.

“You’re right, I’ll talk to him now.”

“Okay, good luck. I’ll get us both another drink.”

Nova headed back out to the pub. It was packed now, people taking their seats for the quiz. One of Pamela’s friends signaled for Nova to join them, but she pretended not to notice and headed toward Craig, who was standing at the bar with Sam, Lauren’s boyfriend.

“Can I have a quick word, Craig?”

“Now? I’m just getting a round in, we’re starting in a minute.”

“Please, it’s important.”

“Okay, let’s go outside where it’s quieter.”

“You two off for a quickie, are you?” Sam said, and there was a burst of raucous laughter from the lads standing around them.

Nova grabbed her coat, and they headed outside. It was a clear evening, bitterly cold, and the sky was alive with stars. Behind them, she could hear the waves crashing against the harbor wall.

“What is it?” Craig asked. “Are you okay?”

“No, not really.” Nova cleared her throat. “I’ve been suspended from work, and I think they’re going to fire me.”

“What? Those bastards!” Craig exploded. “They can’t sack you for leaving the office unlocked, there’s no proof you even—”

“It wasn’t just that,” Nova interrupted. “I did something else.”

“What?” Craig was staring at her, his hazel eyes intense on her face.

“You know the Michael guy I told you about, the one who disappeared from the book club and went missing?”

“The murder suspect?”

“Yeah, him. Well, I went to his house with a few members of the book club—”

“You did what ?”

“And then we ended up speaking to his wife about Michael, and she’s reported me to Sandy for harassment.”

“Bloody hell!” Craig swore, his cheeks flushing red. “Why would you go to the house of a suspected murderer?”

“I didn’t know he was a suspect at the time, and I thought we could help get the money back for the community center. Plus, I had Phyllis, Arthur and Craddock with me.”

“Two pensioners and a decrepit dog? Nova, anything could have happened to you.”

“I wasn’t in danger, I promise,” she said, but Craig was pacing back and forth, not listening.

“After everything that happened with Declan, you promised me you’d be more careful and not take any risks at work, and yet here we are again. I just don’t understand, Nova; it’s like you want to create drama.”

“I wasn’t trying to create drama,” Nova said, hearing an unfamiliar hardness in her voice.

“Really? Because it’s less than seventy-two hours until our wedding and you’ve just been suspended from your job for, what, spying? That feels like drama to me.”

There was a long moment of silence, as chilly as the October night air.

“Look, I’m sorry about the suspension,” Nova said, trying to keep her voice calm. “But I won’t apologize for trying to help the community center. My parents always taught me to fight for what matters.”

Craig let out a long sigh, and Nova saw the anger deflate with his shoulders. “I just don’t want anything else bad to happen to you. After everything in London, when you nearly…” He stopped, his voice catching with emotion. “I love you so much, Nova, and I just want to keep you safe.”

“I am safe here. This wasn’t like last time, I promise,” she said, as Craig opened his arms and pulled her into a hug.

She pressed her head against his chest, feeling his arms wrapped tightly around her. It was the most wonderful sensation, like she was insulated against the problems of the world.

“I’m sorry you’re having to go through all of this at work, but please just try and avoid any more drama between now and Saturday, okay? I really want to get you down the aisle in one piece.” Craig gave a soft laugh and then released her from the hug. “Come on, let’s get back inside.”

He moved toward the door, but Nova stayed where she was.

“Do you mind if I slip off home? I’ve got a pounding headache, and I have to meet with Sandy first thing tomorrow.”

Craig looked back to her. “Really? I know my mum can be a lot sometimes, but she’s gone to a load of trouble arranging tonight for you.”

“I know she has, but I’d made it very clear I didn’t want a hen do.”

She could tell Craig wanted to say something else, but he just shrugged. “Fine, whatever you want. Text me when you get home, okay?”

He turned and pulled open the pub door, disappearing inside without looking back.