Page 85 of Worse Than Murder

‘Two coffees coming up.’ He leaves the room for the kitchen.

I look around at the living room. More pictures on the walls, this time mostly photographs. I see one of a very young Gill Forsyth in uniform, back straight, head high, proud as punch on what, I assume, is her first day in the force. There are plenty of a young girl, starting as a baby and growing up into a beautiful young woman.

‘That’s Gill’s daughter, Lauren,’ Tania says, her voice low.

‘Where’s the father?’

‘There isn’t one.’

I raise an eyebrow.

‘Lauren is the product of a turkey baster.’

‘Oh.’

‘Gill wanted a child but didn’t want a husband.’

‘What did Lionel make of that?’

‘He didn’t mind. He was there with her in the delivery room when she gave birth. He dotes on Lauren.’

I smile. ‘I can see why you fell for him. You can tell he was a handsome man when he was younger. He’s got a twinkle in his eye.’

Tania swallows hard and looks away.

‘You still like him, don’t you?’

‘I haven’t seen him for so long. I put a distance between us. I had to. Seeing him again, it’s brought it all back.’

‘I could have come here on my own.’

Tania quickly turns to look at me. ‘And have you steal my man? I don’t think so, bitch,’ she says, playfully.

Using humour as a defence mechanism. That sounds familiar. I laugh anyway. It’s a strange sound to my ears. It’s been a long time since I let out a genuine laugh.

‘What’s funny?’ Lionel asks, entering the room carrying a wooden tray with three mugs.

‘Oh. Nothing. Just something Matilda said,’ Tania says.

‘What was that?’

‘Nothing. It doesn’t matter.’ I clear my throat. ‘Lionel, Alison Pemberton has asked me to help her find out what happened to her sisters. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?’

‘I’m not sure how much help I’ll be able to be,’ he says, taking his coffee from the tray and sitting in his armchair. ‘Help yourself to milk and sugar. It was a long time ago and, although it was a massive event and not exactly something I’m going to forget, my mind isn’t what it used to be.’

‘Come off it, Lionel, you’re as sharp as ever,’ Tania says.

‘It’s been a while since we’ve met, Tania. Things change.’

Tania’s smile falters. ‘Are you all right?’

‘What did you want to ask me?’ Lionel turns to me, ignoring Tania’s question.

I look from Lionel to Tania and back again. I can see there is unfinished business between the two of them. Tania is clearly still holding a flame for Lionel. Does he feel the same? Are they both living with a lifetime of regrets?

‘Jack Pemberton. The sightings of him over the years. What do you think?’

‘The odd sighting you can put down to someone having a likeness of Jack, but I know Alison has a file full of them. You can’t argue with them, can you?’