Page 159 of The Love Letter

Zoe turned to look. ‘No idea. A journalist probably.’

‘I don’t recognise her. And few newspaper journalists I know wear expensive designer suits.’

‘Just because you live in jeans and jumpers doesn’t mean others don’t make fashion a priority,’ Zoe teased her. ‘Come on, let’s go and have a drink.’

Linking arms, they walked along the river and stopped at a wine bar. Zoe turned back to Simon, hovering a few yards behind them. ‘Girl talk, I’m afraid. We won’t be long.’

‘I’ll be over there.’ He pointed at a table as they entered.

‘Wow,’ Joanna murmured as they sat down at a table and ordered two glasses of wine. ‘Even though it’s Simon, being tailed all the time would drive me nuts.’

‘See what I mean?’ Zoe picked up a menu and hid behind it.

Joanna saw that every eye in the café had turned to stare at Zoe. She watched Simon walk to the back of the café and then disappear into the kitchen. ‘Where’s he going?’

‘Oh, to check out an escape route just in case. He has a thing for back entrances. I mean . . .’

Both women giggled as two glasses of wine arrived with the attentive waiter.

‘Seriously, Jo –’ Zoe leant forward – ‘I just don’t know whether I can do this. Anyway, cheers.’

‘Cheers,’ Joanna repeated.

It was past four o’clock by the time Joanna said goodbye to Zoe and took a bus back to the office.

‘And what time do you call this?’ Alec growled at her as she stepped out of the lift.

‘I got an exclusive with Zoe Harrison, Alec, okay?’

‘Atta girl.’

As she sat down and turned on her screen, Alec handed her a small package.

‘This arrived at reception for you today.’

‘Oh. Thanks.’ She took it from him and placed it by her keyboard.

‘You going to open it then?’ he asked.

‘Yes, in a second. I want to get this piece typed up.’ Joanna turned her attention to the screen.

‘Looks like a small incendiary device to me.’

‘What?!’ She saw he was smiling, then gave a resigned sigh and handed it to him. ‘You open it then.’

‘Sure?’

‘Yes.’

Alec tore the flap of the parcel open, and pulled out a small box and a letter.

‘Who’s it from?’ Joanna continued typing. ‘Does it tick?’

‘Not so far. The letter says, “Dear Joanna, I have been trying to contact you, but I didn’t have an address or telephone number. Then yesterday I saw your name under a story in my daily paper. Inside is the locket that your Aunt Rose gave me last Christmas. I was having a bit of a spring clean and found it in a drawer. And I was thinking that this belongs to you rather than me, given as you got nothing from her. Could you let me know you received it safely? Pop round for a cuppa sometime. It would be nice to see you. Hope you found your aunt, God rest her soul. Best, Muriel Bateman.”’

Alec handed Joanna the box. ‘There you go. Want me to open it?’

‘No, I can do it, thanks.’