Chapter 5

Reid's speech laid out the entire sequence of events with perfect clarity — and left the Kingsley family's behaviour nowhere to hide.

One of the relatives addressed Gerald and Patricia directly, right to their faces.

"Old Kingsley! Look at what you've done to yourselves. You've well and truly shot yourselves in the foot. Can't say it isn't deserved."

Another one joined in.

"Don't rub it in — if I were them, I couldn't show my face again after this."

"My daughter-in-law asked for nothing and I still gave her £188,000. That's what respect looks like. That's what manners look like. You two — you'd better wise up, or that son of yours is going to be alone for the rest of his life."

Laughter rang out in waves.

Gerald's face went deep red. He had nothing to say.

Marcus turned slowly to look at me.

His eyes were soft. Beseeching.