Her thoughts shifted naturally on to Sadie Wise. She knew that Sadie still used her husband’s surname because she’d seen it on the sheet of paper that the photo of Eddie had been attached to. She had memorised her address too: 67 Buckingham Road, Haverlea. So even if Sadie suddenly left Oaklands and went home, she’d still know where to find her.

It had been surprisingly easy to follow her this morning. The worst bit had been hanging around in the cold waiting for her to come out of the guest house. She had waited in the doorway to the station for over an hour. Still, it had been worth it just to see her again. And as soon as she had, she’d known that she was doing the right thing.

Mona thought about Sadie’s soft hazel eyes and the sweep of blonde hair that fell around her face. It was fate that had brought them together. What else could it be? They’d been destined to meet, to form a bond, to make a commitment that could never be broken. Although she still hadn’t figured out what Sadie had been doing at the market. Wasn’t she supposed to be looking for Eddie? Unless that’s where she’d expected to find him. But she hadn’t shown anyone the photograph and hadn’t talked to anyone other than the stallholder she’d bought the clothes from.

Mona took another sip of vodka. A pair of black trousers and a pink sweater. What had she wanted those for – or had they just been an impulse buy? Sadie had looked at the Christmas decorations too, at all the baubles and tinsel. But what kind of Christmas would it be if Eddie didn’t play ball? And even if he did, it still wasn’t right what he’d done. The guy was a user, a nasty piece of work just like her father.

Mona knew what Sadie wanted her to do without her having to spell it out. An understanding had passed between them on the train. But she couldn’t go through with it until she found out where Eddie was. She smiled as she remembered how Sadie had suddenly turned in the market and scanned the faces of the crowd, as if she was searching for her, as if she knew somehow that she was there. And for a second Mona had thought about stepping out, revealing herself, but had managed to stop just in time.

No, she had to stick to the rules and not do anything rash. Later, when this was all over and the dust had settled, it would be different. Until then she had to keep her distance. Wasn’t that what Sadie had said? That the big mistake was… She stared into the bottom of the glass. Or maybe that hadn’t been Sadie. She couldn’t quite remember. But never mind, it would all come good in the end.

She had followed Sadie from the market to Connolly’s. That had been another boring bit, having to hang around in the rain while she drank her coffee or her tea or whatever she was drinking. It wasn’t as if she could even see her. Sadie had gone to sit somewhere at the back and the café was packed. For the next forty minutes she’d had to pace up and down the street, waiting for her to come out again. But it had been worth it. Of course it had. Patience, that’s what it was all about. Tomorrow morning, she’d go back to Kellston and give it another go. Perhaps this time, fingers crossed, Sadie would lead her to Eddie Wise.

8

It didn’t take long for Sadie to understand what Stone meant about Cheryl Moss. She was a short, loud brunette who laughed like a hyena. She had a Barbie-doll figure with boobs like melons, a tiny waist and no hips. Tonight she was dressed in a clingy, low-necked, glittery dress that showed off her cleavage to its full advantage.

They were watching the races from the warmth of the restaurant where the wide windows overlooked the floodlit track. As the dogs whipped around, Cheryl screeched out. ‘Come on, Golden Boy! Come on!’

Although the racing was more fun than she’d expected, Cheryl’s screaming was enough to give anyone a headache. Sadie’s jaw was starting to ache from having to smile all the time. She threw Nathan Stone a glance and he grinned back at her. It was the kind of grin that made her want to slap him.

When the race was over, Nathan got up and said, ‘We’re just going to the bar. You girls be all right for a minute or two?’

‘We’ll do our best,’ Sadie said.

As soon as they’d gone, Cheryl turned to her and said, ‘So, are you a natural blonde, hon? Course you are. I can tell. I used to be a hairdresser. I had my own salon before I met Barry.’

‘Don’t you miss it?’ Sadie asked.

‘Miss what?’

‘Working for yourself? Being your own boss?’

Cheryl widened her eyes. ‘Are you kidding me? I couldn’t wait to stop. Too many long hours. I was dead on my feet most days. No, I love being married, hon. Barry’s a real sweetheart.’

Sadie looked towards the bar where Barry Moss was deep in conversation with Stone. He was a great bear of a man, almost as tall as Nathan but twice as wide. He didn’t say much, but his wife more than made up for it. ‘So, how long have you two been married?’

‘Ten years now, almost eleven.’

‘You got any kids?’

‘One boy. He’s eight. I’d have liked another, but after Jimmy… Well, it turned out I couldn’t have any more. I’d have loved a girl, but you’ve got to be grateful for what you’ve got. How about you, hon? You got any?’

Sadie shook her head. ‘Not yet.’

‘But you’d like to?’

‘When the time’s right.’ Sadie thought of Joel and smiled. ‘Yeah, that’d be nice.’

‘How long have you and Nathan been together?’

‘Er…’ Sadie hesitated, not quite sure how to respond. Was she supposed to be his girlfriend or just a friend? Nothing had been made clear during the introductions. This is Sadie, he’d said and not a word more. ‘Not long.’

‘Early days, huh? You don’t want to go rushing into anything.’

‘Yes, early days,’ Sadie agreed.

‘I think you two make a nice couple though.’

Sadie’s eyebrows shifted up. Quickly, she tried to change the subject. ‘Do you come here a lot then?’

‘Only now and then. It’s more Barry’s thing than mine – he likes a flutter – and I don’t mind. It’s a bit of a laugh.’ Cheryl glanced towards the bar and lowered her voice. ‘I suppose it can’t be easy for him, after what happened and all.’

‘Barry?’ Sadie asked.

‘No, Nathan, you know with… Well, it’s been a few years now but it’s not the sort of thing you get over in a hurry.’

‘No,’ Sadie said, keeping her tone neutral. She didn’t have a clue what Cheryl was going on about and wasn’t sure if she wanted to. This was a strictly business arrangement and Stone’s personal life was of no concern to her. She wasn’t interested, not in the slightest… Well, maybe just a little bit. Curiosity nagged at the edge of her indifference. ‘He doesn’t really talk about it.’

‘No, well, it’s probably still hard for him. Guys aren’t good when it comes to talking about feelings, are they? They keep it all bottled up inside. My Barry’s just the same. Any problems, he keeps them to himself. Says he doesn’t want to worry me, but that’s the whole point of being together – sharing the bad as well as the good. Don’t you think?’

Sadie was saved from answering by the return of the two men. Stone slid into the seat beside her and said, ‘So, what have you two been talking about? Should my ears be burning?’

‘No,’ Sadie said.

‘I was just saying what a nice couple you two make,’ Cheryl said.

Sadie would have raised her eyes to the heavens if Cheryl hadn’t been right in front of her. Instead she threw Stone a quick cold look that was meant to convey her utter dismay at the notion.

‘So you were talking about me,’ he said smugly. ‘To be honest, Cheryl, I think I’m still on trial. Sadie’s not entirely sure that I’m her type.’