Augusta wanted desperately to sit down, but she refused to give Samuel the satisfaction of seeing her rattled. "Why on earth is he trying to make trouble now, after seven years?"
"He told me he was never satisfied with the inquest, but he remained silent for fear of causing his parents even more distress. However, his mother died soon after Peter, and his father died this year."
"Why did he approach you--not me?"
"He belongs to my club. Anyway, he has re-read the inquest records and he says that there were several eyewitnesses who were never called to give evidence."
There certainly were, Augusta thought anxiously. There was mischievous Hugh Pilaster; a South American boy called Tony or something; and a third person who had never been identified. If David Middleton got hold of one of them the whole story might come out.
Samuel was looking thoughtful. "From your point of view it was a pity the coroner made those remarks about Edward's heroism. That made people suspicious. They would have believed that Edward stood on the edge dithering while a boy drowned. But everyone who's ever met him knows he wouldn't cross the street to help someone, let alone dive into a pool to rescue a drowning boy."
This sort of talk was complete rubbish, and insulting too. "How dare you," Augusta said, but she could not muster her usual tone of authority.
Samuel ignored her. "The schoolboys never believed it. David had been to the same school not many years earlier and he knew many of the older boys. Talking to them increased his suspicions."
"The whole idea is absurd."
"Middleton is a quarrelsome individual, like all lawyers," Samuel said, heedless of her protests. "He's not going to let this rest."
"He doesn't frighten me in the least."
"That's good, because I'm sure you'll be receiving a visit from him soon." He went to the door. "I won't stay for tea. Good afternoon, Augusta."
Augusta sat down heavily on a sofa. She had not foreseen this--how could she? Her triumph over Samuel was blighted. That old business had come up again, seven years later, when it ought to have been completely forgotten! She was dreadfully frightened for Edward. She could not bear anything bad to happen to him. She held her head to stop it throbbing. What could she do?
