Creeping Ivy by Natasha Cooper

sir. Would you just tell me everything you did with them both yesterday.’
    ‘I didn’t do anything with either of them. I escorted them both to the swimming pool at eleven-thirty. Charlotte has a private lesson every Saturday morning. I then took them to McDonald’s for an early lunch.’ He directed a winsome grin in Blake’s direction and added: ‘Which is something I’d rather you didn’t tell Antonia; she doesn’t approve of feeding burgers and chips to her precious daughter. Can I rely on your discretion?’
    He waited as though he really expected an answer. Blake stared him out. Robert shrugged and laughed.
    ‘Have it your own way. Anyway, after lunch I drove them both home before negotiating with Nicky about how much I’d have to pay her to work overtime on Saturday afternoon so I could get back here. OK? Is that clear enough for you?’
    ‘Remarkably straightforward, sir.’ Blake saw with satisfaction that his little gibe had got through. ‘What time did you leave the pool?’
    ‘I’m not sure. The lesson’s half an hour, then a shower and dressing, say twelve-fifteen; twelve-thirty.’
    ‘And you went straight to the McDonald’s in the High Street, did you?’
    ‘Yes. I can’t tell you precisely how long it took Charlotte to absorb her lunch.’
    ‘I imagine you must have been home by about two o’clock.’
    ‘About that.’
    ‘I see. And how was Charlotte? Did she seem normal? During the swimming lesson, for example?’
    ‘Perfectly. She’s taught by a charming young woofter, who’s done wonders with her. She used to be afraid of water, which is why Antonia insisted on the lessons in the first place, and young Mike Whatsisname has got her well sorted. He’s good with kids. Charlotte swims like a little fish now.’
    ‘She liked her lessons?’
    ‘That’s right. And they were useful for me too. It was sitting there, breathing in all that chlorine, that gave me the idea for the Fruititots bathing babies.’
    ‘I don’t understand.’
    ‘It’s only the most successful TV commercial this year. Haven’t you seen it?’
    ‘I can’t say I have, sir.’
    ‘Well, take it from me it’s a small masterpiece. Fruititots are our biggest account, and fucking pleased with the way the bathing babies campaign has gone. I owe Lottie that.’
    ‘It’s beginning to sound as though you attend the lessons regularly.’
    ‘Not regularly, but I go fairly often.’ Robert’s voice had lost its self-conscious striving note. ‘It’s a way of giving Nicky a bit of a boost. She gets lonely with no one but Charlotte to talk to, and Antonia can be a bit sharp with her. I do what I can to make her feel loved and wanted. It’s a small price to pay for domestic harmony. Nicky’s very good with the little brat, you see.’
    ‘Little brat, sir? That sounds as though you dislike your step— sorry, Charlotte.’
    ‘Not at all, Chief Inspector Blake. Or no more than any child. But she’s a demanding creature, given to tantrums. Perhaps they all are at that age; I wouldn’t know.’
    ‘Right, sir,’ said Blake, making a note. ‘Now Ms Weblock has told us she saw some bruises on Charlotte’s arms a few weeks ago. Did you notice them yourself?’
    ‘Bruises? No. I haven’t seen anything like that. What are you talking about? What sort of bruises?’
    ‘As though someone had been holding Charlotte too tightly about the upper arms,’ said Blake, looking closely at him for signs of guilt, amusement, satisfaction or even fear. All he saw was surprise. ‘You didn’t see anything like that? Not even at the swimming pool? They must have been visible.’
    Robert Hithe was silent for a moment as though genuinely searching his memory, but then he flattened his lips, squeezing them together in a horizontal pout and shook his head. ‘No, can’t say I did. But then I never get all that close to the brat – I never dry her or dress her or anything. I might well have missed them. Did Antonia say they were