She had watched them all set off into what had turned out to be a clear afternoon, bright and breezy and cold, but blessed with that clarity of winter light that Rina had come to love and which seemed particular to this part of the south coast. Fitch was driving into Dorchester, and Joy and Tim planned to be tourists for the afternoon. What Fitch had in mind he had not said, but Rina guessed he’d be meeting up with Abe. All had offered to stay and wait for Karen’s arrival, but Rina had been very firm. No, this should be as normal an afternoon as possible. George would have enough to deal with, and she really didn’t want Karen to feel that she was being ganged up on, even if that was the actual truth. George and Ursula arrived just after four, one of the carers at Hill House giving them a lift on the way home. Peverill Lodge was a regular destination for the pair, and Rina was well known to everyone at the home. She would put them in a taxi later and George would call once they had arrived back, as per their normal arrangement.
