TEN

      The sun was now shining brightly through the glass of the honeymoon suite, and although they’d opened the window for fresh air, only warm air was blowing in as they packed the wedding dress away in its protective liner. Breakfast had thankfully passed without incident. They’d been too early for most of the guests who’d stayed. Alice’s mum had joined their table just as they were leaving and had asked for any updates, but Alice hadn’t been able to tell her anything new.

      ‘Where d’you want me to put the shoes?’ Tara asked, lifting the ivory-coloured heels.

      ‘There’s a box for them somewhere,’ Alice replied, without looking up. She’d been staring at the stack of prettily wrapped gifts for at least ten minutes, still trying to work out the quickest way to get them downstairs without Ben’s help.

      Tara suddenly appeared behind her and wrapped an arm around Alice’s waist. ‘It’ll be okay. You’ll see.’

      Alice allowed her head to tip back and rest on Tara’s shoulder. ‘Try telling my mother that. When we left her at breakfast, she was practically in tears.’

      ‘Do you want me to have a word?’

      Alice patted Tara’s hand on her waist, but shook her head. ‘I appreciate the offer, but I think she just needs space. You know what she’s like: this whole catastrophe casts a shadow over the family, and in her eyes the rest of her social circle will never allow her to forget it. She doesn’t seem to realize that given their age, most of her friends will have forgotten anything by this time next year.’

      Tara snorted and released her arm, returning to the open drawer in the dresser. ‘How much underwear did you bring?’ she enquired, looking into the drawer.

      Alice shrugged. ‘Better to be safe than sorry. Just drop them in the case with the rest and I’ll sort it all out when I get home.’

      They both jumped at a heavy knock at the door. Tara looked over to Alice before moving across to the door and opening it. Alice had to crane her neck to see, but her heart still skipped a beat when she saw Ben’s tall figure framed in the doorway. His tie was gone, his shirt untucked and his hair in need of a wash and comb.

      ‘I’ll make myself scarce,’ Tara offered, reaching for her handbag and ducking beneath Ben’s arm as he came into the room.

      ‘Are you a sight for sore eyes,’ he said, with no trace of a smile. ‘I wasn’t sure you’d still be here.’

      It was like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and suddenly she was free to run. Rushing across to him, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard.

      ‘I am so sorry,’ he whispered, pressing his forehead against hers, his eyes shining with the sun’s reflection.

      The skin beneath her eyes moistened. ‘Just tell me it’s all over, that they know they had the wrong man.’

      Ben pulled away but held onto her hands. ‘They released me on bail; not enough evidence to charge or something, the solicitor said. I’ve told them everything I know, and as far as I’m aware, Dave and the others are doing the same now. It’s just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.’

      ‘On bail? What does that mean? Have they cleared you or not?’

      ‘They will once the others have confirmed my story. The solicitor feels pretty confident that they’ll move on soon enough.’

      It wasn’t quite as positive as she’d hoped, and he must have noticed the disappointment in her face, as he quickly raised her chin to look into her eyes.

      ‘I am so sorry I didn’t tell you about that stupid trip to Bournemouth. I swear I didn’t know what Dave had planned, but it all went without incident, and I thought it would only upset you if I told you where we’d been and what they’d arranged. You had enough stress on your plate with the wedding.’

      She could understand that; she’d tried not to let him see the strain the preparations had been having in the final weeks, but she’d clearly failed to keep it secret.

      ‘I wish you had told me,’ she said sadly.

      ‘I knew you’d be angry at Dave, and I didn’t want your day to be spoiled because of that. He meant well – at least in his eyes he did – and I know how devastated he is about what happened yesterday. He blames himself for what happened.’

      ‘What was it like? At the police station I mean?’

      Ben lowered his eyes. ‘It wasn’t as bad as it could have been. They were very talkative, and treated me well. After they’d taken my prints and things, they gave me some food and a cup of tea and then this morning they started the interview just after seven. I’d told them how keen I was to get back to you, and I think they were trying to be accommodating.’

      ‘Did they say why they arrested you?’

      He nodded grimly. ‘Apparently Kerry – the victim – never returned home after she’d been at our party, and because her appointment had been booked in my name … it’s an easy enough conclusion for them to jump to.’

      Alice was trying to keep her emotions in check but she couldn’t ignore the paranoia taking control. Pulling her hands away from him and widening the gap, she said, ‘Did you fancy her?’

      Ben grimaced at the question. ‘I’m not saying she wasn’t pretty, but I just felt really awkward, especially having all my friends huddled round, watching. It was creepy more than anything else.’

      ‘What did she look like?’

      ‘Does it matter?’

      She didn’t answer, but glared at him as her vision fogged with tears.

      ‘She had long blonde hair,’ he said, avoiding looking at Alice’s own platinum-blonde locks. ‘Probably in her early twenties, slim, pretty, as I said, but not the sort of girl I’d look at now. There’s only one woman for me, and you know that.’

      ‘Did you sleep with her?’ The words were out before Alice could stop herself.

      He looked into her eyes and rested a hand on his