Page 31 of A Curious Ending

‘I do have friends you know,’ Lara said defensively. ‘She’s an old school friend.’

Abby said no more. Lara’s mention of Fiona convinced her that she had been right (which she reflected, was no surprise). It wasn’t that Lara couldn’t make friends, it was just the situation she currently found herself in had made her pull up the drawbridge. She had telephoned Sarah from the delicatessen. Yes, definitely encouraging. She turned her eyes away from the messy sitting room (she really would have to get Lara to sort this at some point), and instead decided to broach another matter she wanted to discuss.

‘There is something else we must bear in mind, it came to me earlier when I was reviewing all that you told me,’ Abby began.

Lara looked up from her phone.

‘Lady Porter was withdrawing large sums of money. There is the possibility that she was being blackmailed. Then we are faced with a motive for suicide and maybe a motive for murder if she was going to expose the blackmailer.’

The discussion that followed, while interesting, seemed to Lara to be leading them further and further into a maze. Lara could not see Lady Porter giving in to blackmail, nor could she imagine her threatening somebody with exposure. Lara decided she definitely needed some chocolate to go with her coffee.

When she came back from the kitchen she found Abby studying the photograph of her and her mother.

‘I think my parents are wondering what has got into me,’ Lara said, glancing at the photograph before sitting down in the armchair. ‘I haven’t spoken to them for weeks and now I’ve asked their advice two days running.’ She described the conversation she’d had with her mum and explained how the brief reply was out of character.

‘I know,’ said Abby.

‘How do you know?’ Lara asked.

‘You told me she was a very animated woman,’ Abby said, not quite looking Lara in the eye. ‘What exactly did she write?’ Abby demanded.

Lara held out her iPad so Abby could read it.

‘She is right of course,’ Abby said simply, settling once more on the sofa.

‘Yes, maybe about doing the right thing, but sometimes we just don’t have time to do everything we want to,’ Lara said in frustration.

Abby was uncompromising. ‘Does your mother remember your birthday?’

‘Always,’ was Lara’s swift response.

‘Do you remember her birthday?’ Abby said.

‘Of course. She would be really upset if I didn’t. Anyway, I like to buy her presents. She’s my mum,’ Lara said.

Abby continued. ‘Do you love your nieces?’

‘Yes, of course I do. They’re a bit annoying as they’re so perfect, but yes, they’re nice girls. And sweet really,’ Lara concluded.

‘If you forget their birthdays you are saying to them that they are not important to you.’ Abigail could be quite ruthless at times.

‘No, I’m not,’ Lara objected. ‘They know I’m very busy and that I love them and also that I’m a bit forgetful.’

‘Lara, we have just established that when it really matters, you do not forget things. The only conclusion can be that they are not high enough on your list of priorities,’ Abby responded.

Lara was devastated and didn’t know if she quite agreed with Abby’s logic. ‘It’s simply impossible to keep on top of everything. I don’t have the time,’ Lara argued. ‘My nieces are important to me,’ she added truculently.

‘Well show them they are,’ Abby told her.

‘It’s not that easy,’ Lara replied.

Abby considered her for some time. ‘I did not say it was going to be easy, Lara.’

Lara turned away dismayed (and not a little irritated with her Kindred Spirit). Thank goodness she had got it right this year with Gemma. ‘Have you never forgotten a birthday?’ she shot at Abby.

‘Good heavens, no,’ Abby lied.

Lara glanced at her sceptically but decided instead of retaliating to reach for her discarded novel.