hadn't been anywhere near her when the truth came out. I'd have attacked him,she said to the empty house, dragged my nails down his face. Keeping them long and pointed would have been well worth itjust for that. She went into the sad, dirty, neglected bedroom. Searching it took about three minutes and then she had towash her hands.
The glasses came to light in the drawing room. They were under one of the armchairs in a little enclave of dust and fluff and dead flies. She went into the kitchen and was about to wash them under the tap, when the doorbell rang. Some vendor of fish or sharpener of knives, she thought as she went to answer
An elderly man and a middle-aged woman stood there. Two of Gwendolen's forgotten relatives?
'My name is Reeves,' the man said, all smiles. 'Dr. Stephen Reeves. I happened to be in the neighborhood and thought of dropping in on Miss Chawcer. This is my wife, Diana, by the way. Is Miss Chawcer about?'
'I'm afraid not.' Olive realized she would have to say why not, though in expurgated form. 'Gwendolen has passed away. It was very sudden.'
Dr. Reeves shook his head, attempting to look sad. 'Dear, oh dear. Well, she was getting on. It comes to us all. We just thought we'd look in. As a matter of fact'-he allowed his smileto break through-'we're down here on our honeymoon.'
Ruth Rendell
