Page 49 of The Impossible Fortune

‘I find that terrifically hard to believe,’ says Elizabeth.

Joanna has a look on her face that reminds Ibrahim of something. He can’t quite place it, but he will.

She looks directly at Elizabeth. ‘Elizabeth, may I make an observation?’

‘Can I stop you?’ Elizabeth asks.

‘No,’ says Joanna.

‘Like mother like daughter,’ says Elizabeth.

Thatwas the look. Joanna has the same look that Joyce has when another dog starts chasing Alan. A protective fury. A calm menace.

‘Not everyone spends their life needing to knoweveryone else’s business, Elizabeth.’ Joanna is very measured, as Joyce so often is.

‘Murder changes that, dear,’ says Elizabeth.

Oh, goodness, Elizabeth, don’t call her ‘dear’.

‘One of Paul’s oldest friends has just been killed,’ says Joanna. ‘And another one has gone missing. We’ve driven three hours to get here on a Saturday morning to come and help, to show you the texts we received and to give you all the information we have.’

Joyce walks back in with the teas, unaware of the heavyweight fight unfolding in front of her.

‘Now,’ says Joanna, ‘you’re in my mum’s flat, and my mum adores you, but, and listen to this carefully, Elizabeth. Are you listening?’

Elizabeth says nothing.

‘I’m sorry,’ says Joanna, sitting forward. ‘I asked if you were listening?’

‘I’m listening,’ says Elizabeth.

‘Good,’ says Joanna. ‘I am not my mum. I swear if you talk to my husband like that again, we’re leaving. We should have taken these text messages to the police, but we’re showing them to you instead. And we’re showing them to you because we respect you. Please show us the same courtesy.’

Elizabeth gives perhaps the smallest nod in recorded human history.

Joanna sits back. ‘Thank you, Elizabeth. I trust you understand me.’

Ibrahim is so tempted to applaud that he has to start stroking Alan, to ensure he doesn’t have both hands available.

Joyce offers a cup of tea to Joanna. ‘You know, I probablycouldfind some instant coffee if you really fancy it?’

Joanna shakes her head and winks at her mum, who winks back.

‘But you have money invested?’ Ibrahim asks. While another fight between Joanna and Elizabeth would be glorious to see, for Joyce’s sake he feels like he should start asking some of the questions too. ‘You never thought to get involved?’

Paul shrugs. ‘I gave them some money years ago, ten thousand I inherited from my grandad. Every now and again Nick would tell me things were going well. One day they’d sell and I’d do nicely out of it.’

‘How nicely?’ Elizabeth asks. ‘If you don’t mind my asking?’

‘Not interested,’ says Paul. ‘I lent them the money because they were friends and they needed it. If I get some money back, that’s okay; if I don’t, that’s okay too. I just liked seeing them do well. You can’t let money be your master.’

Joanna leans into Ibrahim. ‘When the hedge fund has social get-togethers, I don’t let him speak.’

‘Let’s control what we can,’ says Elizabeth. ‘We need to find The Compound, and I need to get Holly’s SIM card analysed. Find out if there’s anything on there about Davey Noakes or Lord Townes. I can do that this afternoon if anyone fancies a trip up to London. Joyce?’

‘Paul and Joanna have just arrived, so I might not –’ Joyce’s sentence is stopped by a look from Elizabeth. ‘But I’d love to, yes, London it is.’

‘We’ll look after Alan while you’re in London, Joycey,’ says Ron. ‘Kendrick’s desperate to take him for a walk.’