Secrets on Saturday (9 page)

The rain began again, and Lois looked out of Ellen’s small, arched window with irritation. “Damn!” she said. “I’d hoped to take the dog for a walk in the woods, but now look at it!”

“Never mind, dear,” Ellen said sympathetically. “The forecast is good for tomorrow. Anyway, what woods were you talking about?”

“Up on the hill behind Farnden.” Lois finished the last of the cake crumbs and licked her lips. “Very good cake,”
she said, getting to her feet, as always. “Thanks a lot, Ellen.”

“You mean old Cox’s woods?” Ellen was suddenly serious, and Lois sat down again.

“Did you know him?” she said. “O’ course I did,” Ellen said. “He married my sister Martha. She was a fair bit younger than him, but died first, poor gel.”

“Was he a good husband?” Lois saw that Ellen was tired, and felt bad about asking her questions when the old lady should have been settling down for a nap. But this was important. It was very likely that Cox had seen Herbert Everitt walking his dog in the woods, and could well know something about his disappearance. Something connected with the past?

“Not what I’d call a good husband,” Ellen said flatly. “If I’d had the chance, I reckon I’d have said no, but she was mad keen. His family weren’t so enthusiastic, as I remember. Reckoned their William was marrying beneath him.”

“Were they nasty to her?”

“Not exactly nasty … They just ignored her. Never sought her out for comin’ to tea. Blamed her for not havin’ children. But she were quite happy on the farm at first. Liked the animals and them woods you were talking about. Bluebells and primroses in there in the spring, y’ know. Loads of ‘em.”

“And what else was in the woods?” Lois said.

Ellen turned her head sharply and stared at Lois. “What d’ you mean? D’ you know something about them woods?” Lois shook her head, unwilling to lie, and Ellen continued, “Because if you do, Lois Meade, and they’re still at it, you’d do well to stay clear. I reckon it was something in them woods that frightened my sister into the state she was in. Never really got better, and faded away.”

“What
were
they at? And who’s they?”

“No need for you to know, if you don’t know already. Just stay well away, that’s my advice. Now, my dear, if you don’t mind, I’d like to have a little shut-eye. It’s
about my usual time. Thanks for coming, and take care of that family of yours.”

L
OIS PONDERED ON
E
LLEN
’
S SUDDEN INTEREST IN HER
walking in the woods. So her sister had been Cox’s wife. The sister of a servant would not have gone down well as William’s future bride, and the family were clearly not very kind to her. Was it them that turned the middle of the woods into a prohibited area? Only the clan allowed to watch a traditional sport? But William hadn’t seemed too keen on badger-baiting. Lois had seen the result of his position with her own eyes. Derek had said most of the village was involved at one time. An exaggeration, she was sure, but clearly it had not been a minority sport in Farnden in young Martha’s day.

Anyway, why am I so interested? she asked herself. It was not as if she was a seasoned campaigner against cruelty to wildlife. Not her thing at all. No, she was more than ever convinced that the disappearance of Herbert Everitt and the secrets in Cox’s woods were in some way connected. And that shadowy woman with her killer terriers—fighting terriers?—why was she so curious about Lois’s mundane cleaning visits? Tomorrow was cleaning day at Herbert’s, so perhaps an excuse would occur to her for a call on the woman behind the curtains.

W
HEN
L
OIS ARRIVED HOME
,
A LARGE AND SHINING
motorbike stood in the drive. Jamie! Her heart leapt. Her youngest son had given no warning that he would be coming, but then that was quite usual. She suppressed the thought that he only came home when he wanted something, often money, and rushed in to greet him. He was sitting at the kitchen table with Jeems on his lap, his grandmother’s eyes fixed fondly upon him.

He stood up, handed the puppy to Lois, and then hugged them both. “Hey! You’re squeezing her!”

Lois kissed his rough cheek warmly, and turned to Gran. “So when did the prodigal return, Mum?”

“When I was in the middle of hanging out the washing,” Gran said.

“So I helped her,” Jamie said. “Shall I pour you a cuppa, Mum? I bet you’ve had a hard day, scrubbin’ and polishin’ and looking after the old ladies …”

“That’s quite enough of that. It’s true I’ve been to see old Ellen at Ringford, but that’s more a social call.”

“Nice cake?” said Gran.

Lois ignored her, and sat down to fire questions at Jamie. How was he getting on with his music studies? Did he like his new mentor, one of the best-known concert pianists in the country? And was he eating properly?

“Everything’s fine, Mum. I know Dad thinks I’ll never get a proper job, but I’m so lucky to be studying with Alf, and he thinks I stand a good chance of success … some day!”

“Never mind about Dad,” Lois said. “Why are you here? Or have you been missing your old folks?” She knew this was the last thing that would bring him home, and waited.

“Well, it’s like this,” he said. “I’ve got this girl—I’ve told you about Helen—and we are planning on sharing a flat … It’s quite expensive, but really nice.”

“What do you mean ‘sharing a flat’? Does that include sharing a bed?” Gran had reacted quickly and disapprovingly.

Jamie looked at his mother. “Yes, it does,” he said. “Of course, Helen would pay half the rent, but I’d still need a bit more money. What d’ you think, Mum?”

Lois was silent for a few seconds, then she said, “Well, if you’ve enough time to stay here overnight, I’ll discuss it with your father.” She was very serious, and Gran rounded on her.

“Why don’t you say ‘No’ straight away, Lois!” she said, her voice rising in alarm. “Surely you’re not having him living with a girl when he’s still so young and a student?”

Not for the first time, Lois gently explained to her mother that this was a matter for Jamie and his mother and father, and nobody else. Gran at once retreated into a huff, and went out into the garden to check the washing.

After that, Jamie and Lois chatted amiably and did not mention the matter until Derek came home. Then the discussion became heated, with Lois on Jamie’s side, and Derek unsure of what his attitude should be. He remembered so well the blissful times he and Lois had had before they were married, and the sleeping together didn’t bother him. He and Lois were both doing well in their jobs, and could maybe afford to give Jamie a bit more. Lois said she’d be prepared to contribute, and so the evening ended in an edgy peace. It was not until Lois lay awake in bed, listening to Derek’s snores, that she thought about the woman behind the curtains, and how she could get to speak to her. An idea came to her, and she smiled. That would do it. She was asleep in minutes.

L
OIS ARRIVED LATER THAN USUAL AT
H
ERBERT
’
S
house. It did not matter much when she arrived. Herbert would not be there to be annoyed by unpunctuality. She wondered if Cowgill had made any progress in finding him. She was no nearer, and determined to speed things up a little. After an hour or so cleaning, she took a key from the ring Reg Abthorpe had given her, went out to the garden shed, and unlocked it. Leaving the door ajar, she went back into the house and looked across the
road. Sure enough, she could just see a shape behind the net curtains and set out to ask for help.

It was some time before the front door opened, and a furious barking from somewhere at the back of the house accompanied the wispy woman as she held the door open. She did not remove the security chain. “Good morning,” said Lois, in her best professional manner. “So sorry to bother you, but I wonder if you could help?”

“What d’you want?” the woman said in a scratchy whisper. Lois smiled encouragingly. “It’s just that I’ve noticed the garden shed across the road is open. Door not locked. The gardener must’ve forgot, and there’s quite a lot of valuable tools in there. I wondered if you maybe had a key to the shed? Or could you tell me where the gardener lives? Oh, and by the way, I’m Mrs. Meade, the cleaner. My daughter keeps the village shop. Quite respectable, in case you were wondering!” She was glad to see a faint smile crossing the woman’s face, but it vanished in seconds.

“I don’t have any keys to Mr. Everitt’s house,” she said. Her voice was slightly stronger, and she added. “But I’ve got that gardener’s name and address somewhere. We thought of using him ourselves. You’d better come in a minute.” She removed the chain, and held the door open. Lois stepped in quickly, thanking her and apologizing again for wasting her time.

She followed the woman into the room with the net curtains and waited while a desk was searched and a small address book produced. “Ah, here we arc,” the woman said. “Mr. Adams, that’s him. He lives down Church End. Number three. His wife’ll be there, if he’s not.” She returned the book to the desk, and just as Lois was about to venture a conversation about Herbert Everitt, a car drew up outside and a man rushed up the path. Evidently he had a key, because there was no knocking or ringing of the bell. Lois could hear the door opening, and as she turned, was confronted by a familiar face. It was Reg Abthorpe, and he did not look at all pleased to see her.

Lois was the first to speak. She had every right to be there, doing her duty in keeping an eye on the Everitt house, and faced him with confidence. “Hello again, Mr. Abthorpe,” she said. “I’ve been trying to get hold of you.” She waited. He was obviously making a great effort to adjust his face, and made it with a mirthless smile.

“I’ve been away a lot,” he said, and turned to the wispy woman. “Sorry for just walking in. I hope you don’t mind. I saw the door was ajar, and I was desperate for some help.” The woman appeared to be turned to stone. She stared at him, and said nothing.

“I wonder if you could tell me the way to Round Ringford,” he said. “It’s not marked on my map.” He addressed himself to Lois, who replied that he could just follow the signpost on the corner by the pub.

“You can’t miss it,” she said. Still the woman said nothing, and Reg Abthorpe turned as if to leave. “By the way,” Lois said quickly, “I wanted Mr. Everitt’s address. Local people would like to visit him. That phone number you gave me belonged to someone else, and she’d never heard of you.”

“Oh God, sorry. Must have given you the wrong number. I’ll send you all the details. Uncle’s address, telephone numbers and everything. Can’t stop now, though. Late already. Thanks, missus,” he added, turning to the woman. “Sorry again if I alarmed you, bursting in like that. Cheers.”

He was gone before Lois could reply, and the door banged behind him. She watched him drive off at speed, and then turned back. “Are you all right?” she said.

The woman was pale, and her hands were trembling. She nodded slowly, as if waking up, and said in her whispery voice, “Yeah. I’m all right. Who was he? Never seen him before.”

It was like an automaton speaking words that had been programmed in, and Lois knew without doubt that she was lying. She was absolutely certain that the front door had been closed, and only a key could have opened it from outside.

“Can I make you a cup of tea? You look shocked. Was it him coming in like that?”

“No thanks. And yes, I am a bit scared of burglars,” she said lamely.

“Is that why you have the dogs?” Lois said, leading her on. She nodded again, and Lois said, “Funny they didn’t bark at him, isn’t it?” At this, the woman burst into tears, and Lois helped her to a chair and decided not to brave the kitchen and the two killer terriers. “Sit quietly for a bit,” she said, patting the woman on her heaving shoulders. “I’ll be off now, but you can always get me on this number.” She produced a New Brooms card from her pocket and put it on the coffee table. “Oh, and perhaps I should have your name. I’ll look in tomorrow to make sure you’re all right.”

The woman scrubbed at her face with a tissue, and said quickly, “Oh no, thanks, that won’t be necessary. You’re very kind. I’ll be all right now. Can you let yourself out? I’m feeling a bit wobbly, but I’ll be OK in a minute or two. Oh, and I’m Mrs. Wallis. Frances. Bye.”

Lois went back to Herbert’s garden shed and locked up. Thinking time needed. She looked up at the cloudless sky. She’d take Jeems for a walk. This morning had been very peculiar, and the more she pictured Reg Abthorpe’s face when he saw her, the more she was convinced he had something very dodgy to hide.