Read Online When Night Closes in by Iris Gower - Free Book Online Page A

did the police want you for?’ She looked like a little girl expecting to be told an exciting adventure story.
    â€˜I suppose there’s no harm in telling you they’d found some clothes by the cliffs. They wanted to know if I had seen them before.’ She shivered. ‘A shirt and some stone-coloured chinos.’
    â€˜Were they his?’ Sally asked. She had put her hand in her drink and was swirling it around. Briefly Lowri thought of offering her a spoon but then she realized it was just a reflex action on Sally’s part. Sally put down her cup. ‘Were they?’
    â€˜I don’t think so.’ It was a lie. Suddenly, it seemed important to keep her own counsel. ‘I’ve never seen him in anything like that.’
    â€˜But he did like wearing chinos.’ Sally stopped abruptly. ‘At least, that’s what I thought you
said
he liked wearing.’
    â€˜When?’ Lowri asked. ‘When did I say that?’
    â€˜I don’t know!’ Sally shook back her hair. ‘What on earth has got into you, Lowri? You never let me meet this wonderful man but you talked about him a hell of a lot, remember?’
    â€˜I suppose I did.’ Lowri felt remorseful. ‘And the only reason you didn’t meet him was because we mostly got together on the weekends. You were usually doing something with Tim.’
    â€˜I know, I’m not blaming you!’ Sally’s cheeks were pink. ‘Perhaps I’d better go.’
    â€˜I’m sorry, Sally.’ Lowri rubbed her eyes. ‘I’m so strung up about all this. First Jon walks out on me, leaving me flat, and then I find he was married all along. I don’t know what to think any more.’
    â€˜I’m sorry.’ Sally’s tone softened. ‘You’ve had a hell of a shock and I’m a nosy bitch, aren’t I? Come on, it’s still early enough for us to get a drink at the pub. A bit of lively company will do you the world of good.’
    â€˜Oh, I don’t know, my mother . . .’
    Sally stood up. ‘Get your jacket, we’re going to the Plough and Harrow, it’s got a nice lounge. And the drink’s not bad.’
    The last thing Lowri felt like was going out to a pub, but she had offended Sally enough for one evening. She picked up a lightweight jacket and slipped her bag over her shoulder.
    â€˜Where’s Timmy tonight?’ she asked as she closed the door behind her. Sally was already out on the pavement. She shrugged.
    â€˜He’s studying for his exams, they are something to do with the law part of his course. Well, I’m not staying in for anyone.’
    Timothy Perkins was studying Information Technology. He was not Sally’s type, he was far too earnest. Sometimes he could be a real bore. Sally took him entirely for granted, of course. Come to think of it, it was a wonder the relationship had lasted for so long.
    It was a pleasant night. The air was still warm and the breeze drifted towards them, fragrant with roses, as they walked the short distance to the Plough and Harrow.
    Sally saw her as a charity case, Lowri thought ruefully, she was doing her good deed for the day by taking Lowri out of herself. Sally was in casual mode tonight, wearing trainers and jeans. She somehow made Lowri feel a hundred years old.
    â€˜Your mum’s a classy woman, Lowri,’ Sally said as she pushed open the door of the pub. ‘I bet your father loves her to pieces. Go and sit down while I get us a drink.’
    Lowri chose a corner seat and felt somehow alone in spite of the crowded lounge. She thought about her childhood, about the happy times she enjoyed when Charles was away on business. Those were the times when the large rooms in the Victorian house had been filled with warmth and laughter, which lasted only until Charles came home again.
    To an outsider, it might look as though her mother had everything a woman could want. A sunny home, an easy,