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By Root 424 0

trousers. The rash had come back and was now starting to affect the skin below his throat, as well. He ought to see the doctor about it, really; get something to put on it. He wondered idly if it was the same thing Charlie had had, and if so, how they had both got it. Most likely something in the sea; maybe a tanker illegally dumping its chemical washings overboard to be brought inshore by the tide. It happened every so often, and then the surfers and lifeguards grumbled about sore eyes and skin problems after long sessions in the water. Not that he had heard any of them grumbling lately, but ... He swallowed a yawn that was trying to escape. God, I'm knackered. Seem to have done nothing but sleep every spare minute I've had for the past few days. Overwork, he told himself. Ought to ask for a rise; claim wear and tear. Ha, ha.

The service ended at last, and as the bell tolled again the congregation left the church just in time to be met by a squally shower. Charlie's family and closest friends got into three black cars and set off behind the hearse for the cemetery two miles away, and everyone else walked the short distance to the Huer's Arms to drink a farewell toast to Charlie. Nina looked for the jelly-baby man, but he had disappeared. She hung around for a few minutes, wondering if he was still in the church but not wanting to go back in, in case he saw her. He did not appear, and eventually she gave up.

The rain was stopping as she walked away. And just inside the church porch, Ruth breathed a sigh of relief that she hoped Steve would not see. 'All right, now?' he asked anxiously.

'Yes. Yes, I'm ... fine.' She smiled at him. 'I'm sorry about that.'

'You had me worried!' He smiled back. 'I thought you were going to pass out completely and I'd have to call an ambulance!'

'No –' she started to say sharply, then relaxed as she saw he was joking. 'No,' she repeated more quietly. 'I just felt ... giddy for a moment. It's passed now.'

'You're not ill, are you? You look very pale.'

'Do I? There's nothing wrong, honestly.' She hoped he would believe the lie. 'Has the rain stopped?'

Steve stuck a hand out of the porch. 'Yes. I can even see a patch of blue sky.'

'Good.' Forcing down her fear, she made herself step outside, and relief came a second time as she found he was right. She had had to think fast a few minutes ago, and was thankful that she had thought of faking the dizzy spell. It had distracted Steve and given her the chance to stay inside the church until the shower passed over. The last week had been dry, and as a result she had forgotten about rain. She would have to be doubly careful from now on.

'What are you doing now?' Steve asked as they walked up the path to the lych gate.

'I've ... got to get back to the office.'

'Oh. Haven't you even got time for a drink? Just a half?'

She hesitated, then: 'I'd love to, Steve, I really would. But I must get back. Maybe later this week?'

'Great. Give me your number; I'll call you tonight and we'll fix something up.'

Ruth smiled. 'I'll call you. It's easier; I never know where I'm going to be. Goodbye.'

She stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. It was the most she ever did, but — to his own surprise — Steve was happy to be patient. It was just the way she was; just Ruth. And he liked her enough to be content with that.

He went into the Huer's Arms as she walked away up the street. And Nina peered out from the side lane where she had been waiting. She looked one way to make sure that her brother was safely inside the pub, then she looked the other way, at Ruth's departing back. She waited until Ruth turned the bend in the road and disappeared, then, quickly and quietly, she started to follow.

QUESTIONS

Though she wasn't consciously aware of it, Nina had the makings of a good

detective, because above all she was observant. And four more days of observation resulted in some jigsaw puzzle pieces that started to fit together in a disturbing way.

First and most worrying of the pieces was Steve's health. Nina had used all her