Page 118 of The Stranger in Room Six

‘How did it happen?’ demands Harry after leaving a Cabinet meeting to find out what ‘the hell is going on’.

‘I loved him and he was kind,’ says Mabel staunchly.

‘I understand that,’ says Harry more gently. ‘But who took the pictures?’

‘One of Antonio’s friends in the camp took a couple of us together before I was sent away. I kept one and he had the other. The picture of me with my baby was taken by the sisters I stayed with in Cornwall. I sent a copy to Antonio but I never knew if he received it.’

‘How did they get into the hands of the papers?’

‘I’ve no idea. I hid them in a shoebox on top of the wardrobe.’

‘Let’s get Belinda in here,’ says Harry grimly. ‘My bet is that she stole them. Perhaps she stole your locket too. You said she kept asking about it. Maybe she found it and sold it. I said you should tell the manager and get her sacked.’

‘I can’t,’ says Mabel, who’s had time to think a bit more clearly now. ‘I know she’s betrayed me but she had her reasons. I’m still angry but I don’t want her out of a job.’

Although this is true, it isn’t the only reason but she can’t tell her Harry that.

When Belinda comes in, she is adamant that she didn’t steal the locket. ‘You do believe me, don’t you?’

‘I want to,’ Mabel says, but the truth is that Mabel doesn’t know who to trust any more. Least of all, Belinda.