When Night Closes in by Iris Gower

that’s all.’ She lit up a cigarette, more to display her well-shaped, colourfully varnished nails than because she enjoyed a smoke, Lowri thought.
    â€˜And you don’t come here often, then?’ Lowri played with the beer-mat, pretending she was making small talk and fooling no-one.
    â€˜Don’t go getting suspicious of me now, Lowri!’ Sally said. ‘No, I haven’t been here very often, have I, Tim?’ She smiled. ‘I suppose the old man noticed me because he thinks I’m pretty.’
    Underneath her incredible display of vanity it was clear that Sally had picked up on Lowri’s thoughts. The landlord knew what she drank: that suggested that she was more than a casual customer.
    Perhaps she was becoming paranoid, Lowri thought, accepting her drink from Timmy with a murmur of thanks.
    â€˜But why did Jon have your address and phone number on him?’ She only realized she had spoken her thoughts aloud when Sally sighed in exasperation.
    â€˜I told you I don’t know! Probably the old bat made it up; she didn’t show us the paper, did she? She’s just clutching at straws, jealous of anyone younger and prettier than she is.’
    â€˜Don’t go being over-modest, now, Sal.’ Timmy laughed as he sat astride a bar stool facing the women. ‘And what’s this about someone having your number, eh?’
    â€˜Oh, nothing,’ Lowri said quickly. ‘As Sally says, the woman is disturbed, she’s probably making the whole thing up.’
    And yet doubts and questions as elusive as a butterfly’s wing ran through her mind. Was Sally lying, could she have been involved with Jon, had she slept with him? Lowri rubbed her cheek; she was getting more and more confused. She must pull herself together.
    â€˜Wake up! Do you want another drink, Lowri?’ Timmy was leaning forward, holding out his hand for her glass. She looked down at it and saw to her surprise that it was empty.
    â€˜Yes, why not?’
    â€˜For goodness’ sake, Lowri!’ Sally hissed. ‘You’re acting like a wet week! Cheer up can’t you?’
    â€˜Evening, folks, mind if I join you?’
    Lowri looked up to see Jim Lainey standing over her. He was wearing a casual open-necked shirt tucked into slim-fitting trousers and he was smiling at her as if liking what he saw.
    â€˜Oh hello!’ Sally smiled enthusiastically. ‘Come and sit here next to me and tell me your name and explain why I’ve never met such a handsome hunk as you before.’
    â€˜A pint, mate?’ Timmy was standing beside the table, a tray in his hand, and he was looking pointedly at Jim Lainey.
    â€˜That’s very good of you,’ Lainey said smoothly before turning to face Lowri. ‘I’m glad I found you here, I was hoping to see you,’ he said and Timmy visibly relaxed. Soon the four of them were sitting together, cramped into the small corner space as the room filled with people. Lowri wondered if DI Lainey was following her. She was very much aware of his thigh, hot against hers. She wished again that she had worn a skirt. Her legs were shapely and long, and they looked good in sheer stockings.
    She knew what she was doing, she was trying to bolster her self-esteem. Sally was right about that, Lowrie’s confidence had taken a beating. She drank her wine and allowed her glass to be refilled. Soon, she felt pleasantly relaxed.
    She and Lainey became engrossed in conversation and, to Lowri’s relief, he did not mention Jon once.
    It was a surprise when the ship’s bell rang through the room to call time. Lowri glanced at her watch: it was after eleven.
    â€˜Can I drive you home?’ Lainey asked quietly. Behind his back Sally was making faces, mouthing encouragement.
    â€˜Thank you, I’d like that very much.’
    It was good to sit beside a man, to feel relaxed, to hear the soft hum of the engine and to know that she was being