Page 52 of We Chase Shadows

‘Touché,’ says Rosie.

Vern Blackwood hurries to the table.

‘Steve, we’re back on in two, and it’s anagrams of snooker players.’

‘You having fun, Vern?’ Rosie asks.

‘The most fun,’ says Vern. ‘Has he told you about the Jude Law thing?’

‘Hasn’t mentioned it,’ says Rosie.

Steve picks up his pint and salutes the table. ‘Don’t drink too much. Palm Springs bright and early in the morning.’

Rosie has been thinking about their next move.

‘Actually, Palm Springs via Stockholm,’ says Rosie.

‘Stockholm, Sweden?’ says Amy.

Rosie looks at them both. ‘Yes. What is it with this family and geography?’

‘Why Stockholm?’ Amy asks.

‘Ernesto mentioned someone who lives there,’ says Rosie.

‘The Swedish cop?’ says Steve. ‘Larssen?’

‘Oh, we’re not going to see him,’ says Rosie.

‘Then why are we going to Stockholm?’ asks Steve.

‘Who knows more about criminals than cops?’ Rosie asks.

‘Podcasters?’ guesses Steve.

‘Other criminals,’ says Rosie.

‘So we’re going to see Sara Lindstrat?’ says Steve.

‘Of course we are,’ says Rosie. ‘I figure that the most dangerous woman in Sweden might know something about the most dangerous man in Sweden. Silly not to stop off on our way to Palm Springs.’

Steve sighs and heads back into the pub.

‘You know that’s your seventh pint, Rosie,’ says Amy. ‘Perhaps you should go easy too?’

‘You and I know I could drink every man in this pub under the table,’ says Rosie. ‘I once outdrank Ollie Reed.’

‘Who?’ says Lee.

My God, how quickly we are forgotten in this world.

Rosie feels a tap on her shoulder and turns to the table behind. A woman in her forties is wearing a summer dress and a look of wonder.

‘I’m really sorry,’ says the woman. ‘I didn’t mean to listen, but did you really outdrink Ollie Reed?’

Rosie raises her pint. ‘I did.’ This is more like it.

The woman turns to her table. ‘This old lady once outdrank Ollie Reed from Ringwood Tractor and Tractor Parts.’