Episode 5 - Laura II

Cleo was stiff from sleeping on the sofa, but grateful that she had avoided any attempt at conjugal union, admittedly a seldom occurrence as sleep usually took priority. Robert had not married Cleo for her womanliness. She was a trophy won because Cleo was grateful for his friendship. There had never really been anything ‘between them’ after the novelty of Cleo being ‘interested’ had worn off, and in truth, Cleo had never been interested, only accommodating.

***

Episode 4 - Robert

Robert Jones had been left alone with Jessica at the cottage. Gary gave Dorothy and Cleo, who wanted to help Dorothy explain to Edith what had happened, a lift to the vicarage. Gary hoped to get a little time with Cleo when Dorothy had been welcomed.

Episode 3 - Jessica

Laura's bungalow was at the end of a long avenue of similar bungalows. Upper Grumpsfield had expanded into a dormitory for the nearest town, Middlethumpton, where there was very little building land left, and what there was did not attract private buyers. Laura had bought the bungalow in Lavender Drive secretly, had some renovations done and moved in without telling anyone beforehand. Even Dorothy Price had not been let into the secret.

Episode 2 - Gary

Hours later, after their tryst and dishes of Romano’s delicious pasta, Gary drove Cleo home.

“Let’s do this again soon, Cleo.”

Episode 1 - Laura I

Cleo Hartley turned the latchkey in the glass door of her new office, opened it, stepped inside and bent down to retrieve the mail that had been pushed through the letter flap below the security glass. She had expected mail to be waiting for her, but was startled at the shadow that fell on the wall between her and the window behind her desk. It looked as if someone was lying there.