She found the bark, with its clumsily scratched legend, and put out a hand to touch it. When had this been done? In those happy days when the engagement was first announced, she recollected. Harville, f
rom evidence of the diary, didn’t seem the kind of man to act the lovesick swain. Perhaps it was Frances who suggested it? It must have driven Eliza and the children wild to see it.
The murmur of chat and the clink of glasses seemed distant, although they were no more than a hundred yards away from her. This section of the grounds was out of bounds to guests, more for their convenience than any other reason, for there was nothing of interest in this tangle of old branches and insect-laden weeds.
A crackling close by made her jump. What was it? A fox, perhaps, or some other wild animal that had made this jungle its home?
She peered uneasily into the dusky thicket but saw nothing.
Anyway, Linda was clearly not here.
Jenna turned to go, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. Her scream of surprise was silenced by that same hand covering her mouth.
‘Hush. It’s only me.’
The voice was one she had never expected to hear again.
She made an angry sound against the confining palm and he raised it just a fraction.
‘Don’t make a fuss,’ he said. ‘There’s really no need.’
‘No need?’ she hissed, whirling around to face the interloper. ‘What the hell are you doing here?’
Lawrence Harville shook his immaculately-groomed head.
‘Why wouldn’t I come here, Jenna? It’s my home.’
‘It is my house and you are trespassing. I’m going to call the police.’
‘No you aren’t. They won’t be interested.’
‘You’re on remand for serious drug offences.’
‘No I’m not. The CPS dropped the case this morning. Lack of evidence. So you see, Jenna, you don’t get everything your own way after all. You and that alley rat you’ve shacked up with.’
‘How did you get in? You don’t have an invitation.’
She looked swiftly over to the back of the house, seeing the fairylights twinkling in the distance, watching people look up at the skies as if they expected rain any moment. It did look likely.
‘Oh, I grew up here. I know every little crack in the fortifications, believe me. Anyway, no cause for alarm. I only came to give you the news yourself – save you hearing it from a third party. It’s only basic courtesy, don’t you agree?’
‘Well, I’ve heard it, so now you can get out.’ Jenna was working hard to keep her tone hard and her body language uncompromising, but the strain was starting to get to her. Any moment now, a wobble would tell Harville what she didn’t want him to know. That she was afraid.
‘Oh, I don’t plan to hang around,’ said Harville. ‘I’m not a fan of the arts, really, and I have celebrating to do. Perhaps your little friend Kayley would like to join us?’
‘I think not. And you can leave her out of it.’
‘Well, you know, if only she’d left me out of it, I’d be happy to return the favour. But she didn’t, did she? What is it they say? “Loose lips sink ships.” A certain ship might not be as watertight as people think.’
‘Oh, stop talking rubbish. Is that supposed to be some kind of threat? Just get out.’ Jenna was weary now, tired of keeping herself in check.
Lawrence bowed his head, as if in acquiescence, but then he put his hand against the carved initials on the tree.
‘I heard you found our Fairy Fay,’ he said softly.
Jenna bristled. ‘Yes. The skeleton in the cellar. I suppose you didn’t know anything about that?’
‘I suppose that’s none of your business,’ he said, with a maddening smile. ‘It’s a Harville matter.’