What You Left Behind by Samantha Hayes Page A

wasn’t a beauty.It was her vitality that made her striking rather than the thick dark hair, the wide-set velvet eyes, the full lips. The energy she seemed to exude was the antithesis of Freddie.
    Oh, Freddie, Lorraine thought sadly. She would talk to Jo when they got back.
    There was a sudden peal of laughter, which rose above the dull bass tones that constituted the general noise of the pub. When Lorraine looked to the corner again, she saw Lana dabbing at the corner of her eyes with a napkin, laughing and looking at her father adoringly.
    But Sonia wasn’t laughing with the rest of her family. She was slowly turning the beer mat over and over between her long, slim fingers. Lorraine thought she looked even more gaunt in the dim light of the pub. For a second, she looked up and caught her eye, but before Lorraine could wave or smile in return, she looked down again.
    “Right,” Lorraine said with conviction. “I hereby raise my glass to fine food, good weather, and my lovely family.”
    “And to steak and ale pie,” Stella added, “because that’s what I’m having.”
    They clinked glasses.
    Then Lorraine suddenly became aware of someone behind her. The man was standing close, looming over her. He was round-faced and staring.
    “Hello, Gil,” Jo said, giving Lorraine a quick look. “Are you having a nice night out?”
    “Yes thank you I am having a nice time.”
    Even in those few syllables, Lorraine detected something unusual about him. She shifted her chair around so she could see him properly. His proximity made her feel slightly uncomfortable.
    “I heard lots of noise and laughter at your table,” Jo said, and took a mouthful of her drink.
    “Lana is going away soon she is my friend and I am sad.” Gil pulled an overly expressive face, like a child or a clown might do to indicate sadness.
    Lorraine felt Stella’s hand creep under the table and clutch at her fingers. She gave them a squeeze.
    “How will I look after her when she has gone away?” he continued.
    “Where is she going?” Lorraine said, interjecting. She couldn’t completely ignore what Stella had said. “I’m Lorraine, Jo’s sister.” She held out her hand, but Gil just stared at the floor.
    “Lana is going away to university to be a doctor and then she will make me better.” Gil crossed his arms over his broad chest.
    Lorraine could understand why Stella had been intimidated by him. His mannerisms were unchecked and literal, slightly erratic, and could be misconstrued as aggressive.
    “You don’t need to be made better, Gil,” came a clear voice from behind.
    Lorraine saw two hands slip over Gil’s shoulders.
    “Hello,” said the sandy-haired man. “I hope my brother’s not making a nuisance of himself.” He was charming and well spoken, and sounded like the kind of person who would take control in a crisis.
    Lorraine thought of Adam.
    “Oh, not at all,” said Jo, bringing her hair forward over her shoulders. “He was just telling us about Lana becoming a doctor.”
    “Like you didn’t know already,” he said with an overstated laugh.
    “When Lana’s a doctor she will make me better and then girls will like me and I can get a girlfriend and get married.” Gil shifted nervously from one foot to the other.
    “That all depends on her exam results, of course. I’m Dr. Hawkeswell by the way—Tony,” he said to Lorraine.
    This time a handshake was exchanged.
    “This is my sister, Detective Inspector Lorraine Fisher,” Jo said, smiling up at him.
    Tony was as striking at close range as he had been from across the room. Lorraine noticed his strong jawline, the clean-shaven yet slightly stubbly skin tanned from the good weather they’d had. When he moved, she caught a spicy whiff of cologne.
    “You are the police,” Gil stated flatly.
    Lorraine folded the menu, unable to help another smile. “Yes, I am. But I’m on holiday right now.”
    “Glad to hear Radcote’s tourist industry is thriving.” Tony