A Poison Tree (Time, Blood and Karma Book 3) (11 page)

Adele tried to remember the last time she had been anywhere near a place of worship.
About seven years before, at her uncle’s funeral. She didn’t exactly come from a religious family.

The service began and Adele
bluffed her way through it, copying the other members of the congregation. She moved her lips as the hymns were sung, but was too self-conscious to make any sound. When it came to the sermon, Simon chose forgiveness as his theme, citing Isiah.

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

He spoke with passion, but without artifice, on occasion throwing in a joke or a humorous remark. It was not what she had expected.

As the service finished, Adele tried to
slip away but was accosted by a jolly-looking man with an Edwardian moustache and sideburns who insisted she stay for tea and biscuits.

“We don’t see many new faces,” he said
, “so you’ll have to excuse us if we seem a bit overwhelming.”

Others said hello and hands were shaken. Eleanor declared it was nice to see her, although her eyes spoke otherwise. Adele felt self-conscious and w
illed the ordeal to end.

“I have better tea at the vicarage,” Simon whispered in her ear. “Lady Grey.”

“Oh, um, I need to go,” Adele stammered.

“Ten minutes. Come on,” he insisted. “It’s kind of a ‘thank you’. You’ve reduced the average age of the congregation by about a quarter this morning.”

With reluctance, Adele accompanied him to the vicarage, which sat behind the churchyard. The other worshippers had dispersed, although Eleanor seemed loath to leave the two of them alone.

“So, what did you think of the sermon?”
said Simon, after they had settled themselves and he was pouring tea. “Milk, sugar?”

“Just a splash of milk, thanks.”

He handed her the cup.

“There wasn’t a lot about God in your sermon,
since you ask.”

“No. Well, I save Him for special occasions. Some would like me to preach a bit more about damnation too.”

“Like Eleanor, for instance?” The words were out before she had time to think. “I’m sorry, that’s rude. She makes excellent cupcakes,” she added.

“She does indeed.” He looked amused before adding seriously, “And she does a lot for the church.”

“I’m sure she does. You need to have some believers around.”

“Aren’t you one, then? A believer, I mean.”

“No. That must be a disappointment. I’m drinking your tea under false pretences.”

“Yet you came to the service.”

“Yes. I’m not sure why I did that.”

“Maybe it was the free cupcakes. You felt guilty.”

There was a silence. Adele felt the need to break it. She wasn’t equipped to handle a religious discussion. Time to move to firmer ground.

“I have to say, you don’t look like a vicar.”

“Do you know many vicars, then?”

“Actually, I don’t know any. I seem to be making a habit of saying stupid things to you. I should have said, you don’t look like my
idea
of a vicar.”

“Bald or grey-haired, you mean?”

Adele nodded, embarrassed.

“Give me time,” said Simon. “I’ll get there.”

She sipped the tea and decided to change the subject.

“This is a nice room, very cosy. Your wife has good taste.”

“I don’t have a wife.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t fishing.”

Simon raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

Adele
blushed. “Well, maybe a bit.”

“It’s OK. People
get curious about vicars’ private lives. Some of the older ladies in my congregation are forever trying to marry me off. Maybe they’re worried that I might be gay.”

He looked at her for a moment.

“Are you married, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“No, I don’t mind, and no, I’m not. I’m not sure I even believe in marriage.”

“So,” he said, crinkling his brow, “you don’t know whether you believe in God or marriage. What gets you through the day? Your career, perhaps?”

“Hardly that. I work on a checkout at the
Bargain Mart. It’s not exactly a professional occupation.”

“Hey, that’s an important job, don’t knock it.”

“Please don’t patronise me, Simon. It’s
not
an important job,” she said, “but it pays the bills. And as for beliefs, I’m too busy trying to make ends meet to worry about what I believe in.” The strength of her words surprised her.

“I’m sorry,” Simon said. “I wasn’t trying to be patronising.”

Adele put down her cup. “No,
I’m
sorry. I guess it’s been a while since I sat down and talked to anyone.”

“Perhaps you should talk more.”

Adele looked at her watch. “I have to go. Thank you for the tea.”

They both stood up.

“Will you come again next week, Adele?”

“Well, we’ll see.”

“I’d be grateful, if you could spare the time.”

“If you’re thinking of saving my soul, Simon, I’m afraid you’ll have your work cut out.”

“I’m up for a challenge.”

Adele left the vicarage and hurried home to change. She was going to be late arriving at the Gold Club and Miss Connie would not be pleased. She did not want to explain that she was delayed because she had been having tea with the vicar.

She felt flustered
by the unforeseen intimacy, and had a sense that a section of the ice wall around her heart had cracked a little. She knew from past experience that was a dangerous sign. The priest was disarming and open, too much so. Hostility, she was used to, but kindness unsettled her. Her indifference was her protection. It was what stopped her from falling apart.

Adele walked more quickly
, so she could get to the club, to smoke one of Leona’s cigarettes.

She needed to gather her scattered thoughts
, and to lie with strangers who would neither know nor care who or what she really was.

14

ANNA

“Max?”

“Yes?”

“Your tie’s crooked.”

“Oh, we can’t have that.”

Anna adjusted her husband’s Windsor knot and brushed his lapels with her hands.

“Thank you, my darling.”

Max picked up his briefcase. “By the way, I’ll be late home this evening. Don’t bother cooking. I’ll grab something while I’m out.”

“What time will you be back?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Max?”

“Yes?” he said with impatience. “Listen, Anna, I have to go. I have a meeting at nine. What is it? Can’t it wait?”

Anna looked at him for a moment, then dropped her eyes.

“It’s not important. I was just wondering if you’re playing golf with David this weekend.”

“I shouldn’t think so. I have to play a round with some clients on Saturday, so that would be too much golf. Call him and let him know for me, would you?”

“You never said anything about playing golf on Saturday.”

“Christ, Anna, do I have to tell you
everything?
You make me feel like I should be wearing an electronic tag.”

“I’m sorry, I –”

“Just ring your brother-in-law and tell him I’m busy, OK? If you’re that worried about it,
you
play golf with him.”

“Well, maybe I
will.
” She replied with a pout.

“Well,
good for you.”

Max slammed the door behind him and Anna had to fight back the urge to throw something against it.

She sat at the dining table. On it were two manuscripts she needed to go through and there was a deadline looming.

But instead of attacking the paperwork,
Anna picked up her cell phone and looked at it. She wondered if David would be at his desk yet. She knew she was calling him a lot lately, and on one level it made her feel pathetic and helpless. The fact was, however, that she was always calmer and more optimistic after talking to him. But sooner or later his sympathy and patience might run out. The more often she pestered him, the earlier that day might arrive. Then what would she do?

Damn it, I have an excuse to ring him
.
I have to tell him Max is not available for golf
.

Anna pulled herself up.

An excuse. An excuse
to ring him.

The term worried her. Was she
looking
for reasons to call him?

“Don’t be so bloody stupid, Anna,” she said
aloud. “This is
David
we’re talking about.” She pressed the buttons on her phone.

“Hi, Anna.”

“Hi, David. I’m not interrupting you, am I?”

“No, I’ve got a few minutes. What can I do for you, my dear?” The voice was relaxed, reassuring.

“Max asked me to tell you he’s not available for golf this weekend. He has to play golf with a client.”

“It’s no problem.”

“Yes, it is. It’s inconsiderate of him not to have told you. Maybe I should play with you instead.”

Shit, I shouldn’t have said that
.

David laughed. “Since when do you play golf?”

“I could learn. It can’t be that difficult if a man can do it.”

“True.”

“Listen, David,” Anna said, choosing her words. “I have to come into town. I don’t suppose you’re free for lunch?”

“I can’t today. I’m supposed to be meeting Claire for lunch.”

“Oh, OK.”

There was a pause on the line. Then David said, “Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“No you’re not.”

“I am, honestly.”

“No, you’re not. I can tell. Look, I’ll meet you for lunch. As it’s a nice day, how about we have baguettes in the Town Hall Square? I’ll bring the baguettes. We can have a little picnic.”

“What about Claire?”

“I’ll tell her something came up.
We can have lunch another day. It’s only a little white lie. It’s not like we’re having an affair or anything.”

“No.”

She heard David sigh. “Oh, I’m sorry, Anna. That was a stupid thing to say.”

“You don’t need to tiptoe around the subject, David. And I don’t want you lying to Claire on my behalf.”

“Now you’re just being silly. I’ll meet you on a park bench at one o’clock. Don’t argue.”

“All right. I’ll bring wine. Just enough for two glasses.”

“Good. It’s a date.”

She
picked up a manuscript and worked on it for two hours before she started fretting about what to wear.

Anna parked her car near the mock-Tudor houses tucked behind Leicester’s small cathedral, and walked the short distance to the Square. It was a pretty spot, on two sides of which were well-preserved civic buildings and an impressive clock tower. In the centre of the square was a large fountain of dark brown marble, guarded by four gryphons. People were milling around, tempted outdoors by the bright sunshine.

She spotted David sitting on one of the park benches. He had taken off his jacket and laid it over the back of the bench. His tie and the top button of his shirt were loosened, and he had rolled up his sleeves. He waved to her.

“Hello, sister-in-law,” he said.

“Hello, brother-in-law. I brought wine and two plastic glasses.” She pulled them out of her shoulder bag.

“Ah, what decadence. I have baguettes.” He unwrapped them. “Oh, bollocks. They’ve given me two ham and cheese. I specifically ordered –”

“Never mind,” Anna replied. “Pass it over.”

“But you’re a
vegetarian
. You can’t eat ham.”

“Let’s say I’m re-evaluating some of my life choices.” She took a bite. “
Mmn. It’s good.”

David looked at her aghast. “You haven’t eaten meat in two decades. And now you just casually bite into a ham sandwich?”

“You know what they say about change? It either happens in an instant or not at all. Shall I pour the wine?”

“Yes.” He continued to look at her. “Shit
, I feel like the devil or something.”

“The horns suit you.”

“Cuckolds have horns too.”

“What?”

“Oh, nothing,” He looked for a moment as if he wanted to say something serious, but then added, “I was just thinking about that manuscript you gave me to look at a few months back.”

“Ah.”

They sat in silence for a while, eating and staring at the fountain.

“Will you tell Claire we met for lunch?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“It’s not important she knows.”

“I’m
so lucky to have you as my brother-in-law, you know, David. I hope we will always be friends.”

“You said that to me
once before. A long time ago.”

“You remember that?”
she said, surprised.

“Of course. I remember everything. I have a memory like an elephant. For some things, anyway.”

A couple walked in front of them. David leaned closer to Anna and lowered his voice. “How are things with you and Max?”

“Not so good.” She finished the baguette and brushed the crumbs from her lap. “I’m wondering whether I should be hiring a private detective. Maybe it’s time I did something about the situation.”

“Hiring a private detective is the beginning of the end,” said David, and Anna thought she saw a shadow of sadness cross his face.

“I know. Now finish your wine. I’ve monopolised you long enough.”

“Do you have any idea yet who it is?”

“No.”

“Max needs his head examined.”

“Yes,” Anna replied quietly. “But maybe I do too.”