Chewing her lip, Helen watched Jason go, convinced she’d lost him before they’d even had a chance to be together for real. He’d tried his best, and she’d pushed him away, as she always did with people.
He’d gone completely still when she’d told him what she saw, then shocked her with his savage outburst. She wasn’t sure what he planned to do, have it out with his father, she supposed. What happened after that was up to him. A witness had taken down part of the number plate, but Helen couldn’t bring herself to direct the attention towards Moody by mentioning her suspicions to the police. He was Jason’s father, and she wasn’t sure anyway. Just like she wasn’t sure of anything in relation to her mother.
Charlie returned from the cafeteria with a sandwich and a couple of Kit Kats.
‘Has Jase gone?’
Helen nodded.
‘Why? What happened?’ Charlie’s face twisted with concern.
‘I …’ she began, then stopped. She couldn’t tell Charlie about her suspicions either. She’d go mental and probably do something stupid. ‘Eh, nothing. He had to be somewhere. Didn’t tell me.’
Charlie seemed to accept that and handed her the sandwich and the chocolates. ‘You’d better eat before it goes cold.’
‘Sandwiches are cold,’ Helen pointed out.
‘Whatever. Just eat.’
‘And the chocolate will probably taste like sugar-coated dust bunnies.’
‘Why?’
‘Because of my medication.’
‘Really?’ Charlie sent her a curious look. ‘That must be pretty shitty sometimes.’
‘I’m used to it.’
While Helen ate as much as she could, grateful for the rush of energy it gave her, Charlie asked the duty nurse when they could see Fay. The nurse promised to let them know as soon as Fay woke up, and she sat down again.
A woman came through the double doors. It took a moment for Helen to register that it was Ruth. She abandoned the remains of her sandwich and got up to meet her.
‘What are you doing here?’
‘Is your friend okay? I went to your house, and a very nice young man with a stutter told me what had happened.’
‘There’s a good chance she will be,’ said Helen.
‘Oh, good, I’m so glad to hear that.’ Ruth glanced at Charlie, who stared back, then said, ‘Is there somewhere we can talk?’
‘Charlie?’
‘I’ll find you if they call us.’
They made their way through the labyrinthine hospital to the front. Outside was a small landscaped area with a fountain and some benches, and they chose a bench at the far end, away from people talking on their mobiles.
‘What did you want to see me about?’ Helen asked.
‘The funeral arrangements. For Mother.’
‘God, my friend nearly died, and you want to talk about funeral arrangements. Ever heard the phrase “bad timing”?’
‘I’m … I’m sorry. Perhaps you’re right. We’ll do it another time.’ She clasped her handbag and got up to leave.
Helen pulled her down again. ‘It’s fine. We might as well talk now that you’re here.’
‘You’re sure?’
‘It’ll take my mind off things.’ And not just Fay lying injured upstairs.
Ruth smiled, a timid, quick smile which made her look younger, pretty even. ‘Good, because I’d really appreciate your input.’
‘Has Aggie specified anything? Was she religious? I think we should go by her wishes if she had any.’
‘Yes, of course. You’re quite right.’ Ruth fell silent and stared straight ahead, at the trickling fountain, her fingers worrying the clasp of her handbag. Helen had a sudden insight.
‘You didn’t come to talk about the funeral, did you?’
Ruth shook her head.
‘Then what is it?’
‘I’ve spoken to Mother’s solicitor. That chap, Sweetman. He … well, suspects something is going on with the company, something not … right.’
‘Oh, he’s right about that.’
‘You know?’
‘A little,’ Helen replied. She wondered whether Ruth knew just how bad things were. Or potentially how dangerous. If Moody had no compunctions about running people over, what would he do to her aunt if she started digging? Ruth and Letitia were more or less the only family Helen had left.
‘I’ve taken a back seat for years,’ Ruth went on. ‘I’m regretting that now. I wish to be part of it again, and I think it’s time I reined in my sister a bit, stop her from ruining our reputation. You get Mother’s shares, and if you’re anything like your own mother, that’d be all that matters. She was very passionate about the company.’