Page 129 of Vengeance is Mine

‘Of course. I’ll just… hover.’ Rita smiled and left them alone.

Dawn waited until her mother was out of earshot. ‘There’s no chance of Harry coming back home?’

‘No. I’ve given up trying. He’s renting a flat close to town, and he seems comfortable enough, by all accounts.’

‘Is he talking to Terry yet?’

‘No. He said he’ll never forgive him for throwing the coat and wig on the fire.’

‘I honestly thought he was going to arrest us.’

‘So did I. Did you know he’s getting married?’

‘Terry?’

‘Yes. He got engaged on Christmas Eve to a colleague. Bella. She’s a lovely woman.’

‘Oh, that’s good news. I’m pleased.’

Barbara linked arms with Dawn, and they walked slowly towards Rita.

‘Does your mum still think Anthony killed his son?’

‘Yes. Terry did well in keeping a lot of what happened out of the press. I hate that we’ve tainted my grandad’s name by having him acting in cahoots with Andrew and his mates, but there was no way to hide what they did to Dominic. There was no chance anyone would believe Grandad could have beaten him with the severity they did.’

‘Anthony didn’t want anyone else to suffer. It was his decision to take the blame.’

‘I know,’ Dawn said, a catch in her throat.

‘We know the truth. That’s all that matters.’

‘I’m sorry the way things have turned out for you and Harry,’ Dawn said. ‘I never expected him to leave you.’

‘It’s a small price to pay. We did the right thing. Nothing will ever change my mind on that.’

Barbara visibly brightened and changed the subject when they caught up with Rita. ‘I was going to call you, actually, Dawn. The book group is starting up again next month. God willing. Will you be joining us?’

‘Of course.’

‘Excellent. I’ll add your name to the email list. Mary’s chosen the first book and has picked Anna Karenina. Do you know it?’

‘I do, but I haven’t read it.’

‘I have, but it was many years ago. You’re more than welcome to join us, too, Rita, if you wish. There’s plenty of room.’

‘I haven’t read many classics,’ Rita said, with an apologetic smile.

‘Now’s the perfect time to start.’

‘Come on, Mum, it’ll be fun.’

Rita thought for a moment. ‘All right. I’ll give it a go. There was one we read when I was at school I really enjoyed. What was it called? A Russian, I think. Crime and Punishment.’

Dawn and Barbara looked at each other, eyes wide. ‘We’ve already done that one,’ they said together.