Page 17 of Four of Hearts

Harry then realised the stupidity of his question as soon as he’d asked it, but allowed Dave the space to answer it anyway.

‘News travels fast, Harry, surely you’ve learned that by now?’ Dave said. ‘Jim heard about Matt’s crash from a mate of his who lives over in Askrigg.’

‘And how did this mate of his find out?’

‘Saw you dropping Matt back to their place.’

‘And then told Jim? Why?’

Dave shook his head.

‘No, it wasn’t him who told Jim as such, but it’s because of him that he found out. It was someone else who told Jim.’

Harry’s confusion thickened like porridge left on the heat too long.

‘But you just said ...’

‘No, you see, what happened was that Jim’s mate told... oh, who was it? No, can’t remember. Anyway, they told this other person, can’t remember their name either, not sure I was told it, but anyway, it was because they bumped into each other at the butchers in Bainbridge, which you should try, you know, if you get the chance, and?—’

Harry held up a hand to stem the flow of words he simply wasn’t listening to.

‘Thanks, Dave, but I reckon the less I know about the Dales’ rumour mill the better.’

Harry had been in the Dales a good while now, but he still wasn’t used to how quickly news could travel from one end of thedale to another. It was not a place where secrets could be kept easily.

‘Sandwiches look good,’ said Dave, eying hungrily what they were all scoffing down.

‘Taste good, too,’ said Ethan, already halfway through his.

‘Considering how slim you are, you haven’t half got an appetite on you,’ noticed Harry.

‘High metabolism,’ smiled Ethan. ‘Oh, and what we chatted about earlier, me being the photographer?’

‘You still happy to do it?’

‘If you’re sure you want me to.’

‘Of course. Wouldn’t have asked otherwise.’

The smile on Ethan’s face was genuine, and Harry knew he’d made the right call.

‘Then, if it’s okay with you,’ Ethan asked, ‘I’ll start grabbing a few snaps in the build-up.’

Harry frowned, immediately unhappy about the idea of being followed around by someone with a camera. He’d carried out surveillance himself, and been on the receiving end of it, too. Wasn’t exactly a prospect that made him happy.

‘How do you mean?’

‘Candid shots, that kind of thing,’ Ethan explained. ‘Not just of you, so don’t go worrying that I’m tailing you and following you around like a rubbish spy. But I’ll chat to everyone who’s involved, build up a little story about what’s going on, that kind of thing. Just want to try and make it as memorable for you as possible, that’s all. Actually, I could also...’ He paused, looked thoughtful, then added, ‘No, I’ll have a think on that.’

‘A think on what?’

Ethan waved it away.

‘Nothing.’

Harry narrowed his eyes at Ethan, was about to say something about how he wasn’t exactly a fan of surprises, andif that’s what he was going to think on, then if he wanted some advice, then the best that Harry could give right then, was to not think on it at all, especially if he valued his health, when Jen and Jadyn pushed through the office door. They both glanced at everyone in the room, then at each other, nodding.

‘You’re talking about something,’ said Jadyn. ‘Don’t think we don’t know.’