Page 93 of The Good Neighbour

For a second, Kevin appeared shocked. He regained his composure rapidly.

“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Of course you do. It’s written all over your face,” Mrs Wimpole countered.

Josh laid a calming hand on her shoulder. She was waving her left breast toward the man in an alarming manner.

“Listen, mate,” Josh began.

“Don’t mate me. Who do you think you are?”

Josh held his other hand up. “We have pictures of you at the TV show and the wedding. That wasn’t very bright, was it?”

“It’s not illegal.”

“Is that the base that you’ve fallen to?” Mrs Wimpole asked. “Whatever happened to decency? You’ve caused that poor man untold worry.”

Up-close, Kevin had the same snubby nose as his father. It made Josh think of a weasel.

“He had it coming,” Kevin said.

Mrs Wimpole had broken free from Josh and was, once again, shoving her chest toward Kevin.

“So you admit it then? You’ve been trying to sabotage Hugh’s career?”

Kevin frowned.

“Have you got a fucking mic on?”

“How dare you use that language with me.”

Kevin roughly grabbed Mrs Wimpole and dove in her pocket.

“Josh!” she cried.

Josh leapt forward a fraction too late. Kevin shoved Mrs Wimpole away. Before Josh could get a grip on her, she’d fallen to the pavement with a sickening crack.

Josh and Kevin were frozen for a second. Then Josh sprang forward while Kevin ran for it.

“Mrs Wimpole?” Josh wailed.

She stirred. That had to be a good sign.

“I’m fine. I’m fine.”

Then she let out a howl.

“Maybe I’m not.”

The hospital was mercifully not too busy. Josh couldn’t decide if it was her age or her overall vibe but Mrs Wimpole got seen to very quickly. She had fractured her wrist.

They were in a small cubicle while they waited for a nurse to put a bandage on.

“What an exciting evening,” Mrs Wimpole said for the umpteenth time. “At least we got the recording.”

Josh grinned. “Always about the mission, Mrs Wimpole. I admire that.”

Mrs Wimpole shrugged. “I may have got a little carried away.”