Page 92 of The Stranger in Room Six

‘Is that all you’ve got?’ I thunder. ‘That Mabel spent the rest of her life pining for the kid she gave away and some Italian she met during the war?’

‘Give me a bit more time,’ pleads Belinda. ‘I think I’m close to something.’

‘Are you sure you’re telling me everything? This fortune teller – “the truth always finds us out”. Sounds like a load of nonsense to me, Belinda.’

‘I promise, I’m telling you everything.’

But there’s a little quiver to her chin as she speaks.

‘For your sake, I hope that’s true. I’ve already given you an ultimatum but I’ll give it again. It’s not long until the party. If you don’t come up with the goods by then, you and your girls will end up like your husband. Got it?’

Belinda whimpers, and I remember there’s something else I’ve been meaning to ask her. ‘One more thing. Did you ever find your husband’s lover? Karen, wasn’t it?’

‘No,’ she says. ‘I didn’t.’

‘Ha! Your face says otherwise. Where did you put her, Belinda? The bottom of the Thames? A rubbish tip somewhere? Should I be telling the authorities about that private detective you wanted to hire to kill Karen?’

Her eyes flash at me. ‘It was your idea, Mouse. Besides, I changed my mind. Do you want me to do this job for you or not? If so, let me get on with it.’

I love it when Belinda gets mad. I’ve taught her well.

‘Then go. And this time come back with something better.’