Charlotte stood near the kerb outside Octavia’s house. The paramedics were inside, doing their job. Marguerite was on her way, despite Sid telling her to stay home. And a few minutes ago, Kevin Murdoch arrived. She’d only ever seen him from a distance, at a public meeting he presided over. His brother, Terrance, was a local council member, and Kevin was Octavia’s man friend. He’d climbed out of his car as the paramedics carried her off, his eyes dazed.
Charlotte needed to find Rosie. Although the past few weeks had divided them, Rosie had known Octavia since high school, and this would devastate her.
The bookshop phone wasn’t answered and Charlotte checked her watch. Well before closing time. She dialled Rosie’s phone, which rang a few times before being answered with a quiet, “It’s true
