When Night Closes in by Iris Gower Page A

looked after, if only for a short while. Neither of them spoke but the silence was a comfortable one. All too soon the drive was over, and Lowri waited while Lainey switched off the engine. It was all going to end now, in a minute she would step into her little house and she would be alone again.
    â€˜Would you like a coffee?’ she asked quickly, afraid that she would lose her nerve. ‘I could do with one myself – I feel a little light-headed.’
    â€˜I’d love a coffee,’ he said.
    Lowri was filled with a sense of euphoria as she gave Lainey the key to open her front door. Her life was not over after all – she was young and she had a handsome man at her side. She must forget Jon, forget he ever existed.
    Lowri made the coffee and sat beside Lainey on the sofa, close but not too close. Lainey put his head back and closed his eyes.
    â€˜It’s so peaceful here,’ he said.
    She closed her eyes too, drinking in the companionable silence. There was no sound except for her own breath and the sound of Lainey breathing evenly at her side. She slept.
    She woke and looked at her watch. It was half past three. Lowri stared around her in confusion. Lainey was still asleep.
    Lowri watched him for a moment before bringing a blanket from upstairs and putting it over him. Then she switched off the light and went to bed.
    Before she went back to sleep, she wondered if Lainey would feel embarrassed in the morning, if the easy closeness between them would vanish with the sunlight. She need not have worried. In the morning, Lainey was gone.

4
    Lowri was about to leave for work when she heard an urgent knocking on her door. She opened it, expecting the postman, but it was Jim Lainey standing on her step. Lowri felt a prickle of apprehension run down her spine. Lainey looked so formal, his expression was grave, with no sign that he’d spent most of the night on her sofa. Standing behind him was another, younger officer.
    â€˜Detective, come in but I can’t stay talking for long, I’ve got to get to work.’ She had a busy morning ahead and her mother had rung last night before she’d gone to the Ship, asking to be met at the station. Clearly she’d rowed with Charles again. Mr Watson was a compassionate boss but he would not let anyone take advantage of his good nature.
    â€˜What can I do for you?’ she asked when the two men stood in her small sitting-room. Jim gestured towards the other officer. ‘This is Sergeant Brown, perhaps you could take a look at the items he’s holding.’
    The sergeant obligingly held up the plastic bags and Lowri stared at them, waiting for an explanation.
    â€˜We’ve found some clothes’ Lainey’s tone was businesslike. He was now the policeman at work. ‘At the foot of the cliffs below the Swan Hotel. I would like you to see if you can identify any of them.’
    â€˜I’ll have to ring work.’ Her mind shied away from the implications of Lainey’s question. ‘Though it’s going to be difficult to explain to my boss that I need time off to help the police with their inquiries, isn’t that what you call it?’
    It was Sally who answered the phone at the office. ‘Morning! Watson Jones and Fry, Sally speaking, can I help you?’
    â€˜It’s me,’ Lowri said. ‘I’m going to be late, will you be all right?’
    Sally was silent for a moment. ‘I don’t know what’s wrong but you’d better get in here as soon as poss.’ She lowered her voice. ‘Old Watson’s got a lady visitor and he doesn’t seem too happy about it.’
    â€˜Too bad,’ Lowri said. ‘The police want to talk to me.’ Before Sally could ask any questions Lowri replaced the receiver. Jim looked at her.
    â€˜Trouble?’
    â€˜No, not really, just Sally panicking as usual.’
    â€˜Will you take a good look at these things?’ he said. She