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The inspector frowned. ‘Your husband resents you having a nice time, Mrs Falzon?’

‘He hates her to be happy!’ Danjel interjected, standing now. Valentina hadn’t realised he was paying attention, but he was looking right at the inspector. ‘He slaps and punches her. He bruises her and hurts her!’ There was rage in his face despite the red-rimmed eyes from his tears. ‘He got what⁠—’

‘Inspector, if you don’t mind, this child is very upset,’ Peter cut in to prevent Danjel saying more.

Inspector Vella looked towards one of his offsiders. ‘Take the boy home and stay with him, please. We shall be there soon.’

Valentina saw Peter whisper something to Danjel as he gave him a hug. She frowned, wondering what had been exchanged, then kissed him goodbye. ‘Don’t worry, Danjel. We’ll sort this out,’ she murmured, relieved that Peter had orchestrated Danjel’s exit so confidently.

When he was gone, the questioning intensified.

‘And so who are you?’ he asked, looking at Peter.

‘A friend of the family,’ Peter said with care. ‘I’ve known Mrs Falzon since she was a child, and I met Maria here during the war when she nursed me back to good health after my injuries.’ He smiled at the older woman, who still looked pale as she stood silently clutching Valentina’s hand.

The inspector blinked. ‘You fought here, Mr Fox?’

‘I did. I flew Spitfires.’

Valentina saw the flare of recognition in the man’s eyes before he looked back to his notes. ‘Malta thanks you,’ he said.

‘Thank you. Malta was a kind and friendly home to me when the world had gone mad.’

The police inspector nodded. ‘And you’re a nurse, Mrs…’

‘Albertis,’ she confirmed clearly. ‘I was, but I’m retired – a mother now. I am a friend of Valentina’s, knew her parents well. And yes, I nursed Mr Fox during the war and so was invited to join the picnic today. Just old friends catching up.’

‘I see.’

‘Mrs Falzon, I understand that your husband was angry, probably drunk. But why do you think your husband climbed up on the wall?’

She knew she’d already answered this question, but perhaps he was asking it again to see if her story changed. ‘He was so intoxicated that he wasn’t thinking clearly, I think, Inspector. He was showing off to our son, saying something about this being his home, and that Mr Fox should go back to his.’

The inspector frowned. ‘Ah, so there was a problem?’

Peter began to answer but Vella held up a hand. ‘Mrs Falzon, you answer, please.’

‘There has been an ongoing problem in my marriage, Inspector, with Lawrenz’s jealousy and possessiveness. He is – was – suspicious of every man I speak to, including the men who drink in the bar, the local butcher and his own brother and mine. He is even jealous of the love I give to our son – he feels it somehow takes something from him. But the problem is his alone – in his mind.’ She tapped her temple. ‘He’s been like this since our engagement, more than twelve years ago. If you speak to his brother, I’m sure he will confirm this fact.’

‘And still you married him?’

‘I was not given the choice, Inspector. If I had, Lawrenz would not be my husband, but my parents insisted. So did his. I was sixteen when we married and in no position to defy what my father wanted for me.’

Again the inspector nodded. ‘All right. So your husband was boasting about his… what?’

‘His boxing prowess,’ Peter said. ‘He was showing off in front of his son, offering to fight me.’

‘And did you, Mr Fox?’

Peter’s affront was written on his face as much as loaded into his voice. ‘I did no such thing, Inspector Vella. I would not raise my fist to anyone, sir.’

‘Thank you,’ the inspector said. ‘So Mrs Falzon, how is it that your husband is now at the bottom of the bastion?’

Valentina wasn’t ready for the tears that sprang to her eyes with the question. They weren’t for Lawrenz though. They were for Danjel, and what she was about to admit to. Watching Peter’s face crumple into deeper dismay at her pain, she straightened and took a breath, about to say she’d pushed him, but suddenly Maria spoke.

‘The stupid fool fell,’ she said with disgust, shaking her head. ‘He had no business climbing up on that wall and swinging his arms around as he was, shouting. We were all frightened for him, especially Valentina here, who did all she could to calm him, pleading with him to come down.’

‘He fell?’ the inspector repeated flatly.