Читать книгу Exham-on-Sea Murder Mysteries 4-6 - Frances Evesham - Страница 13

Mandy adjusted the driving seat in Libby’s little purple Citroen and rattled the keys. Libby pulled her seatbelt tight. ‘Tell me again, exactly how many lessons have you had?’

‘Loads. The instructor said I need to practice, but I’m quite safe, honest.’

‘Maybe I should drive us to the car park and start there…’

Mandy snorted, turned the key in the ignition and revved the engine. Libby shuddered as it howled. ‘Oops. Sorry, Mrs F.’

She released the handbrake and the car lurched forward. ‘Did you look behind?’ Libby asked.

‘Course. Nothing coming. Let’s roll.’

The car moved sedately down the street, stopping neatly to turn at the T-junction, and Libby’s clenched jaw began to relax. Mandy was perfectly competent. ‘Were you trying to scare me, by any chance?’

Mandy giggled. ‘Sorry, couldn’t resist. Actually, my instructor’s put me in for my test. It’s in three weeks, but I need to practice parallel parking.’

Libby groaned. ‘Definitely need to head for the car park, then, and I’m not sure I can help.’

‘I know. You’d drive three times round town rather than reverse into a space.’

Half an hour later, Mandy had practiced the manoeuvre a dozen times. She drew to a halt facing the beach. ‘Come on, then, out with it.’

Libby gulped, wrong footed. ‘Out with what?’

‘I saw you with Mrs Miles in the cathedral café when Steve and I quarrelled. I know you’re dying to hear all about it. Why haven’t you asked me?’

‘I didn’t want to interfere, but if you want to tell me about it, I’d like to help.’ So, this was why Mandy suddenly needed driving practice; she wanted to talk. It was easier to share confidences in a car. Libby felt a warm glow. She valued Mandy’s friendship.

‘Well, we’ve split up. Steve keeps asking me to go to London at the weekend, but I don’t see why I should.’

‘Is it the expense?’ Mandy’s pay as an apprentice wasn’t great, and the train to Paddington cost a fortune. ‘You should be able to get a student discount, and…’

Mandy shook her head. ‘It’s not that. It’s my clausta— thingy.’

Libby half turned in her seat. ‘Your clausta— do you mean claustrophobia?’

Mandy nodded. ‘I get it in the train. Or a coach.’

‘And you haven’t told Steve?’

‘He’ll think I’m pathetic. He wanted me to go to a concert and I said I would, but then I panicked and told him I was ill.’

‘And he didn’t believe you.’

‘He thought I didn’t want to go with him, and he took Alice, instead.’

‘That’s why you’re suddenly so keen to take a driving test. You’re planning to drive down to London?’

Mandy nodded. ‘I’m fine in a car. I think it’s all the other people on the train that cause the trouble. They seem so close, almost on top of me, so I can’t breathe, and my tummy churns, and I feel all distant, as though I’m about to faint.’

‘Mandy, you have to tell Steve the truth. He won’t think any less of you.’

‘Course he will. That Alice, she can do everything. She’s going to be a violinist. She’s already got an audition with an orchestra. She’s got tons of A levels and so has Steve. And look at me. Just a chocolate-making apprenticeship.’ Mandy sniffed. ‘I don’t mean to be rude about your business…’

‘It’s OK. I know what you mean.’

‘When we argued, he looked at me like I was stupid.’

‘Oh, Mandy. If I had a pound every time my husband made me feel foolish…’ Libby’s voice trailed away. She’d let Trevor call her stupid for years.

She looked across at Mandy’s wet face. Her lodger wasn’t going to suffer as she had; not if Libby had anything to do with it. ‘If he insults you, he’s not worth bothering with.’

‘He didn’t say it, exactly.’ Mandy leapt to Steve’s defence. ‘I just know he’s thinking it.’

Libby gave Mandy a hug. ‘You daft thing. Don’t imagine you know what someone else is thinking. Nobody can read minds. Now, let’s do some more practice, you pass your test, and we’ll think about how to get your hands on a little car. Maybe the business could manage something…’

Mandy rubbed her nose on her sleeve. ‘You don’t have to…’

‘Let’s get you through the driving test, first, shall we? We’ll deal with the other stuff later. You could find someone to help you with the claustrophobia.’

Libby managed to sound calm, but she was worried. How long had Mandy been suffering from panic attacks? Did her mother, Elaine, now living quietly in Bristol after splitting with Mandy’s violent father, know? Maybe Libby should call her. Or, was it none of her business?

She slumped back in her seat. Another problem to think about. Sometimes, it seemed solving murders was the least of her worries.