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“Mr. Beurton did. She kept Nina and Peter out of school today to run some errands and asked me to run one for her too. I picked up a lamb shoulder in Woodstock, and a man followed me.”
Charlie stops. “Are you sure?”
“Peggy asked the same thing. I can tell when I’m being followed.” I huff. “Maybe not all the time, but this time. It was obvious.”
Charlie blinks. “I wasn’t doubting you, Gemma. I was expressing concern.”
“Oh.”
We walk on. The silence doesn’t feel light and comfortable, though, and I get anxious and prickly with the need to break it. “I’m sorry.”
That stops us again.
“Why are you sorry?”
“I overreacted. Peggy sort of implied I’m seeing dragons when there are only earthworms about.”
Charlie chuckles.
“Everyday affairs I’ve blown out of proportion. I thought you might feel the same.”
“Do you feel that way?”
With his dark eyes only inches away, I feel both overwhelmed by their nearness and steadied by the confidence they convey. “I don’t. I’ll admit this whole finding-proof thing is a lot harder than I expected, but the story still fits, Charlie, and I can’t let that go because it’s not a puzzle I created or a mystery novel I’m writing. It’s a story splayed out in front of me demanding to be uncovered. It doesn’t need my imagination; it needs investigation.”
“Well then.” Charlie’s grin spreads so broadly, his eyes arc closed. “We need to go about this smarter because if you are right, then she’s not just a housewife and the town’s best baker, and whoever followed you today could be dangerous.”
“What do I do?”
“I wish I knew.” He chuffs. “Let’s remember I’m not even a full detective yet.”
Chapter 23
Sunday, 19 February 1950
“This is not a good idea.” Peggy steps in front of me. “I thought we were giving this up.”
“We need proof either way.” I push her to the side. “I need it.”
“You don’t need proof someone is stepping out on her husband, Gemma. That’s private. What is wrong with you?”
Peggy and I glare at each other. For the entire bus ride from Great Rollright to Kidlington, she wouldn’t let up about this, and she’s gotten worse during the last few minutes of our walk.
“Why did you come? I didn’t ask you to.”
Peggy leans against the lamppost a block down from 134 Oxford Street. “Because you were going anyway, and you need a lookout. You need to be at least a little safe about this. Does PC Charles know you’re doing this?” She says his title with significance as if that’ll bring me to my senses.
“Of course not.” I pull back.
“Why not?”
“Because then he’d want to come. And he’s working today.” What I don’t say is that I didn’t tell him because he actually believes in me. And if, or when, I’m wrong, I’d like him not to know how far I’ve gone.
“Also because you’re planning to break the law, Gemma. The number one reason we shouldn’t be here.”
“I just want to see.”
“What?” She points to the house. “A big bed and lingerie?” She crosses her arms. “Besides, how do you know she won’t be here today?”
