‘I’m… not sure I would like that,’ Jasmine said.
Lewis waved away her objections. ‘Honestly, it’s fun, and easy. You don’t have to abseil into it or anything mad. You just walk through some tunnels. There’s one point where you have to crawl—’
‘Crawl?’ Jasmine’s eyebrows went up.
‘It’s a piece of piss. Like I said, I’ve been in there loads of times. We used to hang out there when we were teenagers. It’s amazing in there. You go through these tunnels and they open up into this big cavern, and there it is on the wall: the carving. The Serpent Stone. Here’s the best part. According to locals, the Serpent Stone brings good luck to women who are about to be betrothed or who have just got married. They say that any bride-to-be who visits and touches it is destined to have a long, prosperous life and a happy marriage.’
‘A big snake that brides have to touch for good luck?’ I asked, eyebrow raised.
‘Admittedly the symbolism is rather on the nose,’ Lewis continued, not looking at me, ‘but I still think it’s cool. What do you think, Jasmine?’
‘It does sound cool. It’s different, right? We don’t have any cave art in Miami.’
Lewis was clearly delighted. ‘This is going to be so much fun. We can go this afternoon.’
‘Cool.’ Jasmine frowned. ‘Although I’m not sure any of my clothes are going to be suitable’
‘I’ve thought of that. Mum’s hiking gear will fit you. It’s still here somewhere. I’ll find it.’
I expected Jasmine to blanch at the idea of wearing Elizabeth’s old clothes, but she said, ‘Okay.’ She pushed her half-eaten bowl of porridge away and left the kitchen. Lewis went outside for a cigarette, and I was left on my own.
For a moment back there, I had been tempted to ask if I could join them on the excursion. After all, I would like to see the place where Samir was found. But, despite his apology, I didn’t really want to spend any more time with Lewis. I would go on my own at some point.
A little later, my phone pinged with a text. To my great surprise I saw it was from Susan, the local cop.
That podcaster is called Emma Fox. I didn’t like her attitude.
I laughed, wondering if Susan liked anyone’s attitude. The text was followed by a shared contact, with Emma’s phone number and email address. So I’d been right. Susan did care about what had happened to Samir. Perhaps this was her indirect, unofficial way of giving me her blessing to investigate.
I tapped out an email to Emma Fox, telling her I’d like to have a chat and asking when would be a good time.
As soon as I’d sent it, Holly came into the kitchen.
‘What are you up to?’
I told her about Emma Fox and then about Lewis’s plan to take Jasmine to the caves. She seemed shocked. ‘And she agreed?’
‘Yeah. She seemed excited.’
‘Huh. Well, I bet when Dad comes back he’ll dissuade her. What is Lewis thinking?’
‘Why, is it dangerous?’
‘It can be.’
‘Really?’
She screwed up her face, like she had a headache. ‘I’ll tellyou another time. Last night was awkward, right? I think Miranda might have a drinking problem. I should ask Dad to talk to her about it.’
‘Why don’t you talk to her?’
‘Because Miranda has never listened to me. I’m the baby. She doesn’t listen to Lewis either, because she thinks he’s an idiot.’
‘She was sick a little while ago. She’s pretending she doesn’t remember anything about her outburst.’
‘Probably for the best.’
I was surprised by her response. ‘I didn’t think this family swept difficulties under the carpet.’
