Part 14 (1/2)

'It might,' said Fran, looking stubborn. 'Do you mind if I try and find out?'

He shrugged. ''Course not. Do you need my permission, or something?'

'I don't think so, but if anyone asks I'll refer them to you, OK?'

'OK.'

'What about Gerald Shepherd's will?' asked Libby. 'I just thought of that.'

'Was it found?' asked Fran.

'Gawd knows,' said Lewis, looking even more bewildered. 'What's that got to do with it?'

'It might explain Tony West's right to have the Lasting Power of Attorney,' said Fran.

'Oh, is that what it is now?' said Libby. 'Or will it stay Enduring because it was done before the new law?'

Fran shrugged. 'Don't know,' she said, 'I only know the term because Guy and I have been making new wills and sorting out our own powers of attorney.'

'Gosh,' said Libby, 'aren't you sensible?'

Fran glared and Lewis looked embarra.s.sed.

'Fran's getting married,' explained Libby, 'so she and her fiance are planning.'

'Ah!' Lewis looked relieved. 'Sorry I can't offer you Creekmarsh as a venue,' he said, 'but I don't suppose I'll be able to get it up and running for ages.'

'Kind of you,' said Fran, 'but we've found a place already. If it's not booked up,' she added gloomily.

'I thought you'd already booked it?' Libby was surprised.

'We thought so, but according to their system, we'd only made an enquiry. Guy's waiting to hear.'

'b.u.mmer,' said Lewis.

'Fran,' said Libby suddenly, 'why did you say that body isn't Gerald Shepherd?'

'Oh, you know,' said Fran vaguely.

'You just knew it wasn't,' Libby nodded. 'OK.'

'You can't be sure,' said Lewis.

'Of course not,' said Fran. 'Are you ready to go, Lib?'

Lewis and Libby, both fl.u.s.tered, stood up quickly.

'Seen enough then?' asked Lewis.

Fran smiled, still vaguely.

'Obviously she has,' said Libby, with a disgruntled look at her friend. 'I'll just collect my basket from the kitchen.'

'Yeah, thanks for the picnic,' said Lewis, as he followed them down the stairs. 'I'll have to forage for myself tonight.'

'Will Katie not be back then?' asked Libby.

'I haven't heard,' said Lewis. 'I knew she was going to London, but she's not answering her phone.'

'Is that at her flat in Leytonstone?'

'Yeah. She told you about that?'

'Yes. She told me how she'd worked in a bank and then in outside catering, hadn't any children but enjoyed her job with you. Pocket biography.'

'Yeah.' Lewis frowned. 'Can't imagine her without kids, can you? Perfect mum, I'd have thought.'

'Perhaps she's a perfect auntie,' said Libby. 'Has she got family?'

'No idea,' said Lewis, looking surprised. 'She's never mentioned any.'

'Oh, well,' said Libby with a shrug, 'I expect she'll turn up. She struck me as being very reliable and responsible.'

'Always has been.' Lewis saw them to the door.

'How did you meet Katie?' asked Fran suddenly.

'I told Lib, she was doing OB catering on that Housey Housey show.'

'Right. And you got that job through Tony West?'

'Yes.'

'Did he know her?'

'Blimey! No idea.' Lewis laughed. 'He does now, since she's been with me.' He caught his breath. 'Did, I mean.'

'Whose idea was it she worked with you?'

There was a short silence.

'Tony's, I think,' said Lewis finally. 'But only because she and me'd got on.'

'She told me you asked her because you and your mum got on with her,' said Libby.

'Well, yeah, but I'm pretty sure it was Tony's idea.'