Chapter Fourteen
The Lodges’ road was quiet. It was mid-morning and all the workers had long since departed, leaving mothers with pre-school children, the unemployed, and the elderly in sole occupation.
Rafferty walked down the Lodges’ path and rang the bell. Hardly had the door chimes ended than Alison Smith opened the door. She looked tearless and resolute.
‘You’d better come in,’ she said, meeting Rafferty’s eyes with a hard look.
They followed her to the living room. There were various toys scattered about and Rafferty said, ‘Your children—?’
‘Don’t worry. I took them over my mother’s house as soon as David had gone to work. I didn’t want them to hear sordid tales of their parents’ relationship, young as they are. I’m going to ask David to find alternative accommodation when he ge
