Page 23 of The Way We Are Now

‘Anna, just listen…’ Katy put a hand on my arm.

‘Where was this, Clare?’ The woman was back to taking notes, her pencil working feverishly over the page. ‘And the time? Can you remember what she was wearing?’

‘What’s the matter?’ I asked, feeling something akin to dread. ‘Where is she? Do you know? Has something happened to her?’

‘Why were you getting worried about her, Anna?’ DI Crowther turned back to me. ‘Had something happened? Had there been an argument of some sort?’

‘No! We just haven’t seen her for a couple of days.’

‘A couple of days? Can you be more specific?’

I thought back to the last time I’d seen her. ‘Three days ago. Yes, I chatted to her in her room.’

DS Bamford narrowed her eyes and then made notes in her book. ‘And was this normal? Did she often stay out?’

‘She’s got this new boyfriend,’ Katy said once more, appearing to have taken on the role of the grown-up. ‘She’s been staying with this Theo bloke presumably.’

‘You sound as if you disapprove?’ DS Bamford asked, not looking up.

‘No, no, not at all…’ Katy flushed slightly. ‘That’s why we weren’t worried.’

‘More envious really,’ Clare put in. ‘You know, because we knew she was with Theo. I mean, he’s gorgeous. I think everyone is after him.’ She gave a little laugh. ‘But Fliss managed to get in there.’

‘Theo? Could you give us his full name?’ The woman still didn’t look up, but when Clare obviously couldn’t recall Theo’s last name, glanced across at her.

‘It’s Theo Mandeville,’ I said.

‘Any idea where we can find him?’

‘He’s a first-year student in the Bodington Hall of residence. Flat number 15.’

Theo’s door number was still in my head. I’d been having awful fantasies recently (wonderful fantasies): little dreams where I relived the moment I’d walked in on a naked Theo but, instead of giving the ridiculous squeal I had, I’d stood there, a knowing smile playing on my lips. And then he’d saunter over to retrieve a towel – always a rather gorgeous black, hugely fluffy one – before he walked to where I stood in the doorway and…

‘The thing is,’ Clare interrupted my thoughts, ‘her car is down by the Co-op. It’s got a flat tyre and a parking ticket.’

‘Yes, we know that.’ DI Crowther offered up an on-off smile. ‘Thank you.’ He didn’t explain further but instead turned back to where I was sitting on the battered sofa, looking directly at me. ‘Do you know this Theo Mandeville well?’

‘Well?’

‘I mean, you actually know his room number.’ He smiled encouragingly. ‘Is there any reason for that?’

‘Fliss and I had a couple of days’ temporary cleaning work with University Services. We were sent up to Bodington Hall to clean. I met Theo there.’

‘Bit more than met, Anna. Come on.’ Clare gave a little laugh. ‘Stark bo… you know, very naked. That’s why she remembers the flat number. Well, you would, wouldn’t you?’

‘Did he attempt anything?’

‘Attempt anything? What do you mean?’ I stared at the officer.

‘Well, you’ve come across a naked man. Was there any reason he was naked?’ DS Bamford raised her rather bushy eyebrows in my direction.

‘Yes, he was having a bath,’ I said calmly. ‘It’s probably best to have no clothes on when you’re having a bath.’

‘Indeed.’ DI Crowther nodded. ‘But he hadn’t locked the bathroom door?’

‘It was the middle of the day. I wouldn’t imagine he was expecting anyone.’

He looked as though he was going to ask more about the naked Theo Mandeville but then, instead, turned to all of us, sitting tentatively, like Gilbert and Sullivan’s Three Little Maids, all in a row on the sofa. ‘Has Felicity been unhappy recently? Worried about anything?’