Page 29 of Serenity Falls

‘Curfew?’

‘Yes. Alcohol often leads to crime, and here in Serenity we want everyone to feel safe, day and night. Ensuring bars are closed and people are off the streets helps with that.’

‘Ten thirty, though?’

‘Well, between you and me, it’s not strictly enforced by the Conservators.’

‘The Conservators?’

‘Yes.’ He gives me an odd look. ‘You should have had all of this in your welcome pack.’

‘I don’t think I got one.’

He tuts. ‘I suppose it must have been missed, what with everything else.’

Everything else presumably being that troublesome corpse in our pool.

‘So, the Conservators?’ I prompt.

‘The Conservators ensure that everything runs smoothly here in Serenity Falls, from refuse collection to security. They’re based in the Human Utilities Building – the Hub. You probably saw it as you drove in.’

I think back. ‘The kind of triangle-shaped building?’

‘That’s it. Being a Conservator is a great responsibility. Serenity Falls wouldn’t be the town it is without their dedication and hard work.’

Good for them, I think, and I can already picture them. Bland suits with neatly arranged desks and lanyards. I guess every organization needs its pen-pushers.

We continue our walk down Main. It’s bustling, but it doesn’t feel crowded. Just pleasant. People going about their business and supporting their local shops.

‘You’ll notice there are no fast-food chains in Serenity Falls,’ Lockhart says now. ‘The Conservators don’t allow them.’

‘You must be the only town on the planet to manage that.’

I’m not sure Sadie will be happy, but I think it’s a good thing. It can’t be a coincidence that the plague of the fast-food chains coincided with the rise in mobility scooters. Cause, meet effect.

Lockhart gestures towards a nearby café. ‘You might also notice something else is missing.’

I stare around. A group of teens sits outside a café drinking milkshakes. Next to them there’s an older couple reading newspapers and a couple of mums with pushchairs. Everyone looks fit, healthy and wholesome. I am suddenly very conscious of my pale, skinny legs, Scooby-Doo socks and the faint aroma of smoke lingering on my clothes.

I frown. And then I spot it. ‘No one is on their phone.’

Lockhart nods, radiating smugness. ‘Cell phones are banned in all public spaces.’

‘Really?’

‘Obviously, no one is going to leap on you for taking a quick call. But we try to enforce it.’

‘And people stick to that?’

‘It took a while, but they’ve realized it’s for their own good.’

The kids in my old school could barely cope without their mobiles for a few hours. A whole day and there would have been riots. I confess, even I get twitchy if I can’t check my messages regularly. As for Sadie. Oh, she’s not going to like this, I think. Not at all. Probably even less than a dead body in our pool.

Lockhart is looking at me as if waiting for applause.

‘Well, that’s a fantastic achievement,’ I say. ‘Although I imagine my daughter won’t thank you.’

‘Oh, I’m sure she will,’ Lockhart says. ‘In time.’