And that was the last time Maud ever spoke to Geoffrey.
*
Two policemen arrived some time later to notify Maud of her husband’s death. Both were solemn as they sat, one on the sofa and the other in Geoffrey’s armchair. Maud, trembling and pale, sat in her own armchair. “How did it happen?” she asked, pulling a tissue from her sleeve and wiping her eyes.
The policemen glanced at one another. “Er, there was a traffic accident …” started PC Sloan.
Maud put her face in her hands and shook her head. “Car crash?”
“Not exactly,” said PC Moore. “A little boy ran into the road after his ball …”
Maud looked up in horror. “And Geoffrey hit him?”
“No, no. The boy ran in front of a scaffolding lorry coming in the opposite direction. It veered to avoid him …”
“And swerved into Geoffrey’s car? Is
