‘It’s all been so strange since the bodies were discovered,’ says Mum. ‘Have you heard of a Daphne Hartall?’
Theo shakes his head.
‘She was Mum’s lodger and lived here in 1980 as well. We think she was also known as Sheila Watts.’
‘Not heard of her,’ says Theo. I notice his hand is still intertwined with Jen’s. I can tell they’re as desperate for answers as we are.
‘We’re trying to find her – well, the police are,’ says Mum. ‘There’s something else too. A man approached me and Saffy over the last few days saying he’s a private detective, although he grabbed me off the street when I was walking home one night –’
Jen gasps. ‘That’s awful.’
‘It was horrible,’ Mum says, ‘but he did say that his client hired him to find some paperwork that my mother has. He called it evidence.’
‘Evidence?’ Jen frowns.
‘Yes, he didn’t elaborate and I was terrified.’
‘What was this man’s name?’ asks Theo. ‘Did he say who he was working for?’
‘No,’ says Mum. ‘He refused to say but he did give his name. Glen Davies.’
‘Wait. What?’ Theo sits up straighter. ‘Glen Davies?’
‘Yes, that’s what he told me,’ says Mum. ‘And we think he broke in here looking for this so-called evidence.’
‘I know a Glen Davies,’ says Theo, his face draining of colour. ‘He works for my father.’
40
Theo
‘He works for your father?’ cries the younger woman. Saffron. She looks incredulous, her big brown eyes wide. Theo feels sick to his stomach that his father’s henchman （as he’s always thought of him） has been here and terrorized these women.
‘Yes,’ Theo says, crossing then uncrossing his legs. He wishes he’d now taken them up on the offer of a drink – his mouth is so dry. ‘He’s known my father for years. I don’t even know how. Before him there was another guy – a similar type, ex-military – but he retired. I do know this much, though. Glen Davies is definitely not a private detective.’
‘Then what does he actually do for your dad?’ says the older woman. Laura, or was it Lorna? He’s hardly been able to take it all in since he got here.
Theo shrugs. What does he actually do? He’s never been sure. ‘I’ve always assumed he’s like my dad’s security. He comes to the house now and again. Assesses the burglar alarms. Gives Dad advice, that kind of thing. My dad’s a wealthy man. Successful in his field.’
‘Well. Glen Davies is a fucking bully, that’s what he is,’ says Laura. No: Lorna. He’s sure her name is Lorna. ‘He broke into the house when my daughter had to go to the hospital. It’s like he was waiting outside, waiting for us to leave. All of this.’ She stands up and paces the room, throwing her arms wide. Theo watches her, mesmerized. There is something very familiar about her. Like he’s met her before but he can’t think where. ‘It has to have something to do with your father. And those photos …’ She stops and rounds on Theo, holding out her hand. ‘Can I see them?’
He does as she asks. They all watch expectantly as she flips through them. Then she makes a growling sound of frustration and passes the phone back to him. ‘I don’t recognize anyone. I was hoping my mother would be there.’
‘I’ve already looked,’ says Saffron.
‘I know. I just wanted to see.’ Lorna throws her daughter an apologetic smile and Theo feels a pang of longing for his own mother.