‘Fine. Come too. I’m meeting him at seven.’
He grins in response. ‘Great. I’ll change my top. I’ve been wearing it for three days.’
‘That’s gross.’
‘What? I’ve had a shower every day. The T-shirt wasn’t dirty. I’m saving you the washing.’ He winks at her to show he’s joking.
While Kris is in the bathroom she changes out of her work clothes and into her ripped jeans and long-sleeved T-shirt. She shakes out her long ponytail so that her red hair spills down her back, way past her shoulders. Then she adds a touch more lipstick and she’s ready.
They take a slow walk to the pub, her arm linked through Kris’s. It’s been a warm day but now the sun is going down she can feel the chill in the air and she’s suddenly grateful for the warmth of Kris’s body next to hers.
The pub is quiet for a Thursday evening, a few regulars sitting at the bar with their malodorous, ageing dogs at their feet. A group of pensioners are playing darts at the other end. Courtney hasn’t been in for ages, preferring the bars in town, but she used to come a lot as a kid, usually with her dad when her mum was out shopping. He’d usually settle her and her brother in the corner with a cola while he chatted to his mates over a pint. Nothing has changed. Even the heavy, dark wooden furniture and photos of horses or farmland on the tobacco-stained walls are the same.
‘How do you know what he looks like?’ asks Kris, in a loud whisper, as they head for the bar.
‘Um. Maybe because he’ll be the only other young person in here.’
Kris laughs and pulls an oh-yes-silly-me face.
A quick scan of the pub reveals that Peter is yet to arrive so they order their drinks – a glass of house white that tastes like vinegar for Courtney and a beer for Kris – and settle themselves at a table by the door.
Every time the door opens Courtney looks up expectantly, her heart in her mouth. Why does she feel so nervous? She’s not sure if it’s making her feel better or worse having Kris in tow. He’s wittering away about a new song the band are writing, completely oblivious to her discomfort. Eventually when the door opens again, she sees a young guy walk in, wearing a yellow coat. Her first thought is that he’s tall, the second that he’s handsome. And as this crosses her mind her stomach flips. At five foot seven herself she’s always found tall men particularly attractive. Kris is only two inches taller than her. He strides towards them. ‘Hi. Courtney?’ He holds out a hand uncertainly.
She stands up and shakes it. ‘Peter? Hi. This is Kris.’ She leaves out that he’s her boyfriend, indicating vaguely in his direction instead. Kris is slouched over his pint and barely looks up. Courtney offers Peter a drink but he insists on getting his own, and when he returns, he perches on the chair between them, his knees almost to his chest.
‘Thanks for meeting me at such short notice,’ he says, with a ghost of a smile. He glances at Kris, then back to Courtney. ‘And I’m so sorry about your friend. She was kind to me and tried to help me when she didn’t have to.’
‘I’m sorry about your sister,’ Courtney says.
He shuffles in his seat. ‘I don’t know how much Una told you …’
‘Everything,’ Courtney says bluntly.
‘Did she tell you about me turning up?’
Courtney nods. ‘She told me you didn’t believe Jemima would kill herself. And now I understand how you feel because I don’t believe Una’s death was an accident.’
He dips his head solemnly. ‘I’ve talked to the police and they don’t think Jemima and Una’s deaths are related.’
Courtney tuts loudly. ‘I don’t get it. She had a text from someone pretending to be you asking her to meet them on the bridge. Why don’t the police believe that?’
He shrugs, looking apologetic. ‘I know I didn’t send that message but I feel responsible. If I hadn’t got her involved …’
Kris grunts and they turn to look at him.
‘What?’ says Courtney.
He shakes his head. ‘Nothing.’
Courtney narrows her eyes at him. He looks like he’d rather be anywhere else. She doesn’t understand why he bothered to come. She turns back to Peter. ‘Una told me about Jemima’s necklace. And about how you said she was seeing someone before she died. She tried to find out who but never had the chance …’ A lump forms in Courtney’s throat and she takes a large swig of wine to wash it away, then has to resist the urge to cough.