Page 95 of Secret Paths

Then it closes.

For several seconds, nothing happens.

I wait.

The stairs creak.

Mandy appears in the bedroom doorway and shuts the door behind her. She leans back against it.

Her face is flushed.

Her eyes are murderous.

“You,” she says, “are never making cottage pie again.”

I lift both hands. “I was not aware my fork work would become evidence.”

“Depth, Peter.”

“I heard.”

“Mark complimented my depth.”

“Technically, he complimented the Worcestershire sauce.”

“That does not improve things.”

“No.”

Mandy drags both hands down her face. “I am a lousy liar.”

“You were under pressure.”

“I could have said a patient gave it to me.”

I pause. “That is actually quite good.”

“I know.”

“Much better than claiming sudden competence.”

She drops her hands and glares at me. “Thank you.”

“Sadly, it is too late for that lie now.”

She slaps my arm.

Not hard, but with feeling.

“Ow.”

“You deserved that.”

“I was admiring your improved deception skills.”

“You were being smug.”

“Only because I am very relieved not to be hiding behind your laundry basket.”