‘I hope you’re right.’

‘Where do you have to go, for the service and that?’

‘It’s at St Luke’s at ten o’clock.’

‘Oh, that’s only down the road. You can walk it from here.’

Sadie opened her handbag and reached for her purse so she could get some change for the meter. As she did so, her fingers touched against the cool metal of the gun. It was probably blasphemous to take a Beretta into church but unless she could get rid of it before tomorrow that’s exactly what she’d have to do.

‘You okay?’ Velma asked. ‘I haven’t upset you, have I? Me and my big mouth. I never know when to keep quiet.’

‘No, of course not. I’m just looking for a fifty pence so we can get some heat in here.’ Sadie found a coin and crouched down by the fire. She put the coin in the slot, turned the switch and listened as the gas hissed out of the pipes. A second later the flames came on, pale blue and yellow before they gradually changed to orange. She was reminded suddenly of the flames of hell. Perhaps that was where she was heading. But she’d chosen her path and there was no turning back.

31

Sadie thought the interior of the Fox looked vaguely familiar. Perhaps she’d been here with Eddie all those years ago when he’d brought her to Kellston. There was always alcohol involved in any day out with Eddie Wise. This place was particularly nice with a clean wood floor, comfortable chairs and a blazing log fire. The pub, filled with the sound of talk and laughter, had a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere.

Sadie glanced over towards the bar where Velma was waiting to be served. They’d had a few drinks already and the wine was having a soothing effect. She knew she shouldn’t drink too much or she’d be nursing a hangover tomorrow morning. Funerals were hard enough to deal with without the added pain of a thumping headache.

Earlier, she’d given Joel a call to tell him she’d arrived safely and managed to get a room at Oaklands. The line had been bad and she’d struggled to hear. The sound of his muffled voice had exaggerated the feeling of distance, a distance that was more than just the miles that lay between them. Why had she ever lied? It had created a barrier that she didn’t seem able to overcome. She wondered if Joel felt it too or if he simply put her recent distraction down to the shock of Eddie’s death.

Sadie was still mulling this over when a man walked past the table. He did a double take and came back to stare at her.

‘Sadie Wise! What the hell are you doing here?’

She looked up at the scowling face of Nathan Stone. ‘Thanks for the welcome. It’s nice to see you too.’

‘What do you expect after what you did, a bleedin’ brass band?’

‘It never hurts to be civil,’ she replied stiffly. ‘And what exactly have I done that’s upset you so much?’

‘You know what.’

Sadie shook her head. ‘If I knew I wouldn’t be asking.’

Stone made a quick scan of the surrounding tables before sitting down beside her and lowering his voice. ‘Thanks to you, lady, we’ve got a bloody war with the Gissings on our hands.’

‘And how do you figure that?’

‘How do you think? Someone saw us together down the dogs and now Wayne Gissing has got it into his head that I’m involved in Eddie’s killing. His little sister’s heartbroken and he wants someone to pay.’

Sadie stood her ground and said stubbornly, ‘So? I still don’t see how any of that’s my fault.’

Stone’s eyes took on an even colder shade of grey. ‘I’m sorry, but weren’t you the one who came to me wanting Eddie’s address?’

‘Yes, and weren’t you the one who wouldn’t hand it over unless I went with you to the dogs? I’d say if this is anyone’s fault, it’s yours. If you’d just given me the address, then there wouldn’t have been any bother. Well, not for you at least.’

The corners of Stone’s mouth twitched although whether it was in a smile or a sneer was impossible to tell. ‘Yeah, well, I didn’t know Eddie was going to end up with a knife in his chest.’

‘And you think I did?’

‘I’ve no idea,’ he said.

Sadie glared at him. ‘I didn’t have anything to do with Eddie’s murder. Why would I want him dead?’

‘I’ve no idea, but then I wasn’t married to him.’ Stone pulled a face. ‘And you never did answer my question. What exactly are you doing back in Kellston?’

‘Is that any of your business?’

‘Just wondering if you’re likely to cause me any more grief.’

‘Perhaps you should stay away from me,’ Sadie said. ‘That way you’ll be nice and safe.’

‘Bit late for that.’

‘So maybe next time you’ll think twice about forcing women into random nights out.’

Stone raised his eyebrows. ‘You can be sure of it, although I don’t recall much forcing going on. But I’ll certainly think twice about doing anyone a favour again.’

‘It’s hardly a favour when you demand something in exchange.’

Stone hissed out a breath. ‘Tell me you’re not going to the funeral.’

‘Why shouldn’t I?’

‘You got some kind of death wish or what? Don’t you know the Gissings are going to be there?’

Velma came back with the drinks and looked at them both. ‘Not interrupting, am I?’

‘No,’ Sadie said. ‘Mr Stone was just leaving.’

Nathan Stone stood up, his face looking grim. ‘Just watch your back, Sadie. If you’ve got any sense you’ll stay well away from that funeral.’

Sadie stared as he walked off and moved through the crowd towards the bar. ‘That man,’ she muttered.

‘He likes you,’ Velma said.

Sadie reached for her drink and gave a snort. ‘Like a hole in the head.’

‘Oh, believe me, Watch your back is about as close to a term of endearment as Nathan Stone gets. He’s not what you’d call the emotional sort.’

Sadie glanced across the pub to where Stone was chatting to the red-haired woman behind the bar. Some men, she figured, were just born arrogant and he was certainly one of them. ‘It’s not my back he’s bothered about, it’s his own. He’s just worried in case I stir up more trouble.’

‘Maybe he’s right about the funeral, though. Are you sure you should go?’

‘No,’ Sadie said, ‘but it’s too late now. I told Eddie’s dad I’d be there so I can’t change my mind. Anyway, I’m only going to the service, not for drinks or anything after. There’ll be lots of people at the church. Nothing’s likely to… I mean, a church is pretty safe, isn’t it?’

‘Yeah, I’m sure it will be. Just keep an eye on that Wayne Gissing.’

‘I don’t even know what he looks like.’

‘You can’t miss him, love. He’s a short, ugly fucker with a face like the back of a bus.’

Sadie sighed. ‘Sounds like a dream. I’ll watch out for him.’

‘And his sister’s no shrinking violet either. She’d rip your eyes out soon as look at you. All those Gissings are trouble, but Wayne’s the worst. Ever since his old man went down he’s been giving it the big I am. Thinks he’s got something to prove now that he’s running things. There was another bust-up last night over at the Hope. It’s one of Terry Street’s pubs and Wayne knows better than to go anywhere near it. Didn’t stop him, though; place was wrecked apparently.’

‘I suppose Stone’s blaming me for that too.’ Sadie gazed towards the bar again, noticing for the first time the smart grey suit he was wearing. Grey suit, grey hair, grey eyes. ‘Mr Grey,’ she muttered at exactly the same moment as his gaze suddenly shifted and met hers. Quickly, she looked back at Velma, embarrassed to have been caught in the act of staring.

‘He’s not that bad,’ Velma said. ‘Considering.’

‘Considering what?’

‘Well, you know, after everything that happened.’

Sadie didn’t know. ‘And what was that?’

‘With his wife and all.’ Velma shot Nathan Stone a sideways glance, and then leaned forward partly covering her mouth with her hand as if he might be able to lip read. ‘Leah, her name was; a real looker – she’d turn any man’s head – but completely nuts. Led him a right old dance. She wasn’t what you’d call the faithful sort.’