Teresa Morgan - Meet Me at Wisteria Cottage

‘I wouldn’t have offered for you to stay at mine now, would I?’

‘No, true, I didn’t think of that. But we have had our differences.’

‘Differences aside, Maddy,’ Harry glanced at her sternly, his eyes fixed on hers for a moment, ‘I didn’t want to tell Collins this at first, on the night of the fire, because it could slow the process with the insurance company if it’s arson. But the fire brigade were already suspicious and informed the police, so I had to tell the police in the end. I saw someone on your driveway. He just appeared, as if he’d come out of your front door. I didn’t see if he had done that because I’d been in my garage. And then not long afterwards smoke was seeping out from your kitchen window.’ Because he’d been putting some tools on his truck at the time, he’d a clear view of her window, and her front door was on the side of the house like his. If what Dixons had said was true, whoever had started the fire, had lit it on the hob, and fuelled it with items from Maddy’s kitchen. It didn’t take long once a fire caught hold, and if accelerants had been used flames would lick at the cupboards and spread quickly.

‘Really? I know I didn’t leave the hob on … but a small part of me hoped it would be an accident, not arson.’

‘Smoke was escaping via the kitchen window. Fortunately, you’d left it slightly ajar—’

‘Yes, I usually leave it on the latch to let steam out while cooking, and it lets air in. It stops the house smelling stale.’

‘It’s how I caught the fire early. I could smell it. I’m sort of attuned to the scent you could say.’ Remembering the smell of Maddy’s house burning had sent the hairs up on the back of his arms and neck, setting off nightmares he hated reliving. He loathed the stench of burning now. It was why he could no longer be a fireman.

‘Maddy, does anyone else have a key to your property?’ Although evidence of any forced entry might well have been destroyed by the fire, and by the firemen gaining access to the house, it would complicate matters for the insurance company if they believed the fire to be deliberate. Maddy could lose everything if they thought she’d had anything to do with purposely causing the fire. He wouldn’t worry her with that bit of news yet, although she was probably well aware of this.

‘No.’ She frowned at him. ‘The police asked me the same thing. Connor used to.’

‘Who’s Connor?’

‘My ex-boyfriend …’ Maddy said. ‘But he gave the key back.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes. I did tell the police all this.’

‘He could have had another key cut without you knowing.’

‘No, he wouldn’t do such a thing. Why would he?’ Maddy frowned.

‘I don’t know. He’s your ex-boyfriend. I’ve never met him.’

‘We split up before you moved into the neighbourhood.’

Harry nodded. He certainly hadn’t recognised the man. ‘What does Connor look like?’

‘A controlling bastard.’

‘I need a bit more to go on than that.’

Maddy rolled her eyes. ‘Gosh, he’s about five-nine, brown hair.’

‘The guy I saw was wearing a baseball cap, with his head down so I couldn’t see his face.’ Harry grimaced but remembered one thing, though. ‘Does he smoke?’

‘Yes, yes he does. Much to my distaste.’

‘I did see the guy throw away a cigarette butt,’ Harry said, rubbing his chin. But this really wasn’t enough proof the man he’d seen was her ex-boyfriend. Lots of people smoked. Harry wished he’d taken a lot more notice of this guy. At the time it had seemed odd, but not important. He could have been delivering pamphlets, anything, so Harry had forgotten him and carried on with his own business. ‘Did he jointly own the house with you?’ There was no relevance to that question, only Harry was intrigued. But if he owned the house he could have a set of keys.

‘No – luckily. He had no money to invest in the property at the time, and deep down I think I knew our relationship wasn’t going anywhere. He lived with me, but it was my house.’

‘So … do you have anyone else who might wish you harm? Any enemies I should know about?’

‘No!’ Maddy glared at Harry. ‘Not that I can think of. I’m an artist. I run a gallery and take commissions, and sometimes I even exhibit.’

‘Oh yeah?’ Harry raised his eyebrows at her, still smiling.

‘My paintings. I exhibit my paintings! Seriously, Harry, I’m in no mood to joke.’

‘Okay, Moody.’ Maddy shook her head, sounding more frustrated as she reiterated, ‘No, it couldn’t have been Connor.’

Maddy breathed a sigh of relief to see her house still standing as Harry drove into Annadale Close. Fire couldn’t strike twice, could it? She went to her washing line and removed the clothes, all dry and fresh from the sunshine and the Cornish breeze. Harry had opened up his house, washed his hands, and then come over and helped.

‘Can I borrow your ironing board?’ Maddy asked as Harry took the basket of washing off her. This man was doing so much for her and he really didn’t need to. ‘I should have bought a new cover for mine. It probably stinks of smoke.’

‘Yes, of course. You can do my ironing while you’re there.’

‘I have enough of my own, thank you!’

Harry chuckled, holding up his hands. ‘I’m joking.’

She worried she was over imposing by staying at Harry’s. Maybe she could go back to her house soon. But the smell of the smoke … would she even be able to sleep? Maybe she should stay at Valerie’s.

‘Are you sure you don’t mind me staying with you? I could stay with a friend.’

‘Maddy, how many more times do I have to tell you, no I don’t mind.’

‘Even the cat?’

‘Well,’ Harry pulled a face, making Maddy laugh, ‘obviously, I’d have preferred it if you didn’t have a cat, but I can’t do a lot about it now.’

They walked over to his house, Harry carrying the basket, like he’d carried her shopping. ‘Did you want to do some of your ironing while I cook us dinner?’ Harry set the basket down in his lounge.

‘Oh, good idea, I’ll pop across and get my iron.’

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