Free (2011) Only the Innocent by Rachel Abbott Page A

he mentioned the dreaded two words…
    ‘My wife - and I am sure you are aware that I am married - considers it a personal insult to allow me any sort of influence over her decisions, and will disagree with me on principle solely to provoke me.’ He gave a slight smile.
    Then he told me his secret, and it’s the reason that I can’t tell anybody - not even you. He’s getting a divorce, but he doesn’t want it to be public knowledge. He’s got a little girl called Alexa who he obviously adores, but the soon-to-be ex has agreed to joint custody. He’s already moved out. His mother died recently so he’s been able to return to the family home.
    I didn’t know whether to appear sympathetic for the loss of his mother or regretful for the failure of his marriage. I did know, however, that I should try to hide the rush of excitement I was feeling. But his next words made it impossible for me to disguise my feelings.
    ‘I’m telling you this, Laura, because although we have only just met I feel very drawn to you. I was dazzled by you at the awards dinner, and you look absolutely beautiful today. I love your hair like that.’
    I just looked into his eyes (dark blue, as I predicted) and I felt as if bubbles were racing through my veins. I didn’t speak. Obviously I’d stopped recording him as soon as we’d moved on from talk of the charity, but I think I can remember every word he said. At least, those that were about “us”. I think they’re etched onto my brain!
    ‘I would like to continue to see you, Laura, if you would permit it. Our meetings would have to be private, and it would have to be just between us for the time being, until the situation is a little less sensitive. But please be assured that I will treat you with the utmost respect and consideration.’
    So that’s why I can’t send you this, Imo. Maybe you’ll never get to read it - it all depends what happens next - but I can tell you that for the first time in my life, I would have been happy to take a man home after our very first date!
    With love, as always
    Laura
    ***
    Imogen reached the end of Laura’s letter.
    She’d known all the facts, of course. She knew when and how they met, and she knew that Laura had been completely besotted with Hugo. But it was all so long ago, and so much had happened since. She was glad Laura had let her read this letter first, because it put everything that happened later into perspective.
    For the moment, though, she didn’t want to read any more. She just wanted to sit back; to remember and to think. About the past, about Laura, about Will - but most of all, about Hugo.

CHAPTER 7
    There was no doubt in anybody’s mind that the body in the mortuary was indeed that of Hugo Fletcher, but the formalities had to be adhered to. Laura had quietly done as she had been asked, with no outward display of emotion. Having confirmed what they already knew, Tom had suggested that she come back to headquarters with him for a while before making the return trip to Oxfordshire. It seemed callous to send her away without so much as a hot drink.
    Tom gently guided her into the shoebox that passed as his office, and took a seat facing her on the other side of his relatively tidy desk. There was a quiet knock on the door.
    ‘Ah, here’s the tea. It’s not particularly wonderful tea, I’m afraid, but it’s hot and wet. We do need to ask you some questions, but I’m sure you’d like some time to yourself so I’ll leave you in peace. DS Robinson, who you met last night, will come and take some background from you in a while. I’ll need to ask some more in-depth questions, but we’ll arrange a car back to Oxfordshire for you, and we’ll follow on later today, if that’s okay.’
    Laura spoke quietly.
    ‘Could we start the questions now, please? I’d rather get it over with, if you can spare the time.’
    ‘Unfortunately, I have something else that I need to do at 8 o’clock and I’ll be a couple of hours.’
    Tom was