A Tattooed Heart by Deborah Challinor Page A

It was desperately important to Friday that Sarah and Aria became friends. The notion of them not getting on was unthinkable. There would never be another bond like the one she, Sarah, Harrie and Rachel had once shared, but she could hope for something approaching that. She didn’t have to worry about Harrie, of course, who got on with most folk and had liked Aria the moment she’d met her at Leo’s.
    â€˜I think you might want to at least put up with her,’ she said. ‘Clifford’s master, Walter, was the one who killed Amos Furniss, and Clifford helped him do it. She had blood all over her face that night, didn’t she?’
    Harrie nodded vigorously.
    Aria crossed to the door again and opened it. Clifford was sitting on the mat, looking deeply disgruntled. ‘I apologise, dog. Also, I thank you for contributing to the death of the man who so insulted the mana of my family.’
    Sarah and Harrie exchanged deeply puzzled glances.
    Giving Aria a wide berth, Clifford trotted inside, her nose in the air and the hairs on the ends of her ears wafting gently, and collapsed in her basket beside the fire.
    After a short silence Sarah asked, ‘What were you saying, Harrie?’
    â€˜Mr Bloodworth will still be at home, though, won’t he? And the servants. It won’t be like when you went into Bella Shand’s house. Whoops.’ She shot a nervous look at Aria.
    Friday said to Sarah, ‘I’ve explained to Aria about your, um, talents. Was that all right?’
    Sarah shrugged. ‘Can’t see why not. And, no, it won’t be the same as going into Bella’s, but I’ve cracked plenty of occupied cribsin my time. It could be a rush job but that’s all right, I’ve got the best kit of screws you can buy.’
    Aria looked irritated. ‘What are you saying? I cannot understand you.’
    With uncharacteristic patience, Friday translated. ‘She said she’s stolen from lots of houses while people have been at home, but even if she has to do it in a hurry she has all the right tools.’
    â€˜And you are definitely an expert at this?’ Aria asked Sarah.
    â€˜I do know what I’m doing, if that’s what you mean.’
    â€˜Because I must have this letter. It is a matter of honour.’
    Sarah stared at her, frowning. ‘What do you mean you need it? We bloody well need it.’
    It occurred to Friday that perhaps, by now, she should have explained to Harrie and Sarah why Aria wanted the letter as much as they did.
    Sarah said, ‘You have told her about us, haven’t you? You’ve told everyone else.’
    Friday reddened. ‘I haven’t told everyone else. And no, I haven’t told her. Not yet.’
    There was a very awkward silence.
    Aria broke it. ‘What have you not told me, Friday?’
    Panicked now because she’d been trying, desperately and unsuccessfully, to think of a way to broach the subject with Aria without presenting herself in a rather unpleasant light, Friday blurted to Sarah, ‘Bloody hell, I’m going to have to tell her now, aren’t I? So I will, and I’m telling her everything.’
    Harrie and Sarah looked horrified.
    â€˜And don’t you dare tell me I can’t,’ Friday went on. ‘She’s my lover. I live with her. I don’t want any secrets. I’m fed up with secrets.’
    She was fed up with bloody well being sober, too. She’d been on the dry for a whole week and could easily kill for a drink right now.
    â€˜Do you think we’re not?’ Sarah demanded. ‘I haven’t told Adam everything.’
    Harrie said, ‘And I haven’t told James anything!’
    â€˜Enough!’ Aria clapped her hands together so sharply the noise was like a pistol shot. Jolted into silence, Friday, Harrie and Sarah stared at her. ‘What is this great secret?’
    â€˜We murdered a man,’ Friday burst out.
    Flinching,