Rogue in Porcelain by Anthea Fraser Page B

credit cards, not to mention house and car keys, and quite likely a mobile as well.’
    â€˜The point is, how did she lose it?’ Max mused. ‘It could have been snatched by a mugger, or pinched during a break-in, or simply taken from under her chair in a restaurant.’
    â€˜Whichever way, you’d report it, wouldn’t you?’
    â€˜Not, perhaps, if it was in an incriminating place.’
    â€˜ Incriminating? ’
    â€˜Somewhere the owner had no reason to be.’
    Rona shook her head dismissively. ‘It was found in some bushes; there’d be no way of telling where it had been taken from.’
    â€˜Then there might have been something in it she didn’t want to be linked with – drugs, say. For all she knows, they, or traces of them, could still be in the bag.’
    Rona picked up her glass and drank from it. ‘We can speculate all night, but the fact remains that an unknown person has been walking round with my name and address in her handbag. Not a very comfortable thought.’
    â€˜I admit it’s odd, but there has to be a logical explanation.’
    â€˜I’d certainly like to hear it.’
    â€˜Well, there’s no point in worrying, so sit down and relax while I make a start on the meal.’
    After a moment Rona shrugged, and pulled out a chair. ‘The Curzons were amazed when I said you did the cooking. Not in their scheme of things at all.’
    â€˜Let’s face it, it’s not in most people’s. Generally speaking, it’s the women who do the cooking, whether or not they go out to work. I hope you realize how lucky you are.’
    â€˜Oh, I do. Talking of cooking, I told Barnie we’d fix a date for them to come to supper. Dinah’s feeling rather down, now Mel and the family have left.’
    â€˜Fine by me. This week’s out, of course, with the visit to Tynecastle, but next Wednesday or Friday would be OK, if they’re free. Now, how about making yourself useful, and peeling some potatoes?’

Four
    L indsey, who lived out of town, had offered to collect Rona on her way to supper with their mother, to avoid taking two cars. On the drive out to Belmont, the suburb where Avril lived, Rona told her about the mysterious handbag.
    â€˜Creepy!’ was Lindsey’s less than reassuring comment.
    â€˜Don’t mention it to Mum,’ Rona warned her. ‘She’d only panic that there’s a stalker after me, or something.’
    â€˜Perhaps there is,’ Lindsey rejoined.
    â€˜Well, at least it’s a female one. Max says there must be an explanation, but I can’t think of one. I’ve never been near Reigate in my life.’ She flicked a sideways glance at her sister. ‘Did you see Jonathan today?’
    â€˜Of course I saw him,’ Lindsey said testily. ‘We work together, don’t we?’
    â€˜You know what I mean.’
    Her sister sighed. ‘There wasn’t a chance to talk privately, but frankly, I didn’t want one.’
    â€˜You haven’t changed your mind?’
    â€˜About finishing with him? Not really.’
    â€˜What do you mean, not really? You’re not having second thoughts, are you?’
    â€˜Oh God, I don’t know, Ro. He has a point, though, hasn’t he? Provided Carol doesn’t find out, we’re not hurting anyone.’
    â€˜I just don’t believe you!’ Rona said flatly.
    â€˜I’m not sure I believe myself. Anyway, we’ll see what transpires with Hugh this weekend.’
    Perhaps fortunately, the conversation was cut short by their arrival at Maple Drive, and Rona braced herself for this first visit to the house since her parents’ separation.
    Avril opened the door to them, trim and attractive in plum velvet. An appetizing smell of garlic pricked at their nostrils as they hung their jackets on the hall stand, now bereft of their father’s overcoat. Otherwise, Rona thought, relief