A Question of Identity Read Free Page B

evening, with the Ridgeways. There’s a hypnotist on, whom Magda’s keen to see.’
    â€˜Good grief! Doesn’t sound like Max’s scene!’
    â€˜Nor mine, but it might be fun. We’re eating at the Bacchus first.’
    Lindsey helped herself to more salad. ‘Do you believe in all that ESP stuff?’
    â€˜I don’t think hypnotism comes in that category; isn’t it accepted medical practice?’
    â€˜Still weird, though. I shouldn’t like anyone messing about with
my
mind.’
    Rona laughed. ‘They’d probably find more than they bargained for! But as far as ESP goes, we’ve always been telepathic, haven’t we?’
    â€˜Well, that’s only to be expected – we’re twins. It would be quite different if a stranger was involved, so don’t even
think
about going up on stage!’
    â€˜Don’t worry, I’ve no intention of doing so! I’ll be interested to see what happens, though.’
    â€˜Mind you report back.’ Lindsey checked her watch. ‘I should be going.’
    â€˜Me too, though I’ll extend my lunch hour and take Gus for a walk. It’ll be late when we get back from the theatre, and he’ll have to make do with the garden.’
    They joined the small queue at the till, their minds already on the afternoon ahead and the tasks awaiting them, and it wasn’t until an hour later, as Rona felt in her bag for her front door key, that her fingers encountered the school photo. She drew it out with an exclamation of annoyance. Lindsey must have slipped it in while they were waiting at the till. Well, she’d ignore it, she decided, and wait for her to raise the subject. And with a passing glance at the blacked-out figure that was causing so much interest, she dropped it back in her bag and opened the front door.

TWO
    R ona saw them as soon as she walked into the Bacchus – Hugh and a woman she didn’t recognize, deep in conversation in one of the booths. They’d not seen her, but they would, and she’d no option but to speak to them.
    As a waiter led her to their reserved table, she paused at their booth.
    â€˜Hello, Hugh,’ she said lightly.
    He looked up, and in his startled expression, she saw that for a heartbeat he’d thought she was Lindsey. Then he came to his feet.
    â€˜Rona – hello.’ He paused, colour tingeing his pale face. ‘I don’t believe you’ve met my work colleague, Mia Campbell? Mia – my ex-sister-in-law, Rona Parish.’
    His companion nodded with a faint smile.
    â€˜Max not with you?’ Hugh asked, and Rona sensed the fear that he might have to ask her to join them.
    â€˜He’s parking the car,’ she said. ‘We’re meeting the Ridgeways here. Since you’re eating early, I presume you’re also going to the theatre?’
    â€˜We are, yes. It should be . . . very interesting.’
    â€˜Different, anyway!’ Her smile encompassed them both. ‘But don’t let me keep you from your meal. Enjoy the show!’ And she walked to her own table, where the waiter had already pulled out her chair. Max came in as she was seating herself, and, seeing Hugh, exchanged a word on his way over.
    â€˜Well, well, well!’ he said softly, as he joined her. ‘What have we here?’
    â€˜Lindsey did say he had a girlfriend.’
    â€˜Woman friend might be more accurate. Who is she? I didn’t wait for an introduction.’
    â€˜A colleague, he said, so I’d guess she works at Hesketh’s. She wasn’t particularly forthcoming, but then there’s no reason she should have been.’
    â€˜Especially when she learned who you were.’
    â€˜Oh, I doubt that would worry her; she looked very sure of herself, though she mightn’t have enjoyed being introduced as a work colleague.’
    â€˜Could be that’s all she is,’ Max said.
    The layout of the wine bar,