Missing (37 page)

Of course she was talking about Sharon when she’d said that, but her positive attitude combined with her bustling air of competence was putting Vivienne’s anxieties into a far healthier perspective. Almost from the moment she’d pulled up outside the auction room – or spanking new barn as it actually was – she’d felt so much lighter in her mood that her unease about Jacqueline had, at least for the moment, melded into the background.

‘Now, I wants you to know,’ Stella was saying as she and Vivienne walked over to the stables, with Rufus propped on one of Stella’s solid arms while happily tugging on her strange New Age pendant, ‘that a couple of the women have gone and backed out since all this business came up about you being involved with the Avery thing and all. Now I’m sorry if that offends you,’ she went on quickly, ‘but I believe in
speaking
bluntly. Not so’s to hurt anyone, you understand, but to make sure we all knows where we are. Anyway, it’s not a problem, because I’ve already found some others what are happy to take their places, you know, manning the phones and serving drinks and stuff, so I think we’m all going to have a lovely time come the day. Course, me, I’m going to be mortgaging our farm to get some action out of that young Theo. I told him that and do you know what he said, saucy monkey? He said, “You’re such a little cupcake, Stella, it would be my pleasure to be any kind of slave your heart desires.” ’ She laughed delightedly, and planted a noisy kiss on Rufus’s cold, silky cheek.

Laughing too, Vivienne reached over to dab the drool from Stella’s necklace, then stood aside to watch her introducing Rufus to the old nags who were standing patiently in their stalls, watching their visitors approach. For his part, Rufus, who’d never seen a horse before, was beside himself with excitement, and didn’t hold back from clasping their soft grey muzzles in his fat little arms and rubbing his face all over theirs. Not for the first time Vivienne reflected on the mixed blessing of how fearless he was, but she couldn’t help smiling at the gentleness of the horses. What a wonderful thing Susie Blake was doing here, she was thinking, providing a comfortable and dignified end for these ageing beasts.

‘Well, I suppose we better get down to some business now, young man,’ Stella informed Rufus. ‘We’ll come back and check on the old girls again later. We might even arrange to put you on one of the ponies what you ’aven’t seen yet. Got a couple of Shetlands tucked away round the back ’ere. Belongs to the couple what runs the place. Anyway, we’ll see,’
and
hiking him higher in her arms she turned towards the barn.

‘Is Sharon joining us?’ Vivienne asked, as they walked into the cavernous space that was now devoid of everything bar sawdust on the floor and stacks of chairs near the back. ‘There’s a TV crew due to turn up any minute, hoping to get an interview in the can.’

‘Oh, yeah, yeah, she’s on her way, don’t you worry about that. Theo went and took her young lad for a ride on his motorbike while she was at the doctor’s.’ Seeing Vivienne’s alarm, she gave her a mischievous wink. ‘I know what you’m thinking, the boy’s only three, but Theo’s not daft. He didn’t turn the engine on. He just been wheeling him about the village saying hello to everyone, and making that little boy’s eyes sparkle.’

Loving Theo for immersing himself so readily into the community, not to mention what he was doing for Sharon’s children, Vivienne started over to join Pete, who was already busy with Reg Thomas, the auctioneer.

‘Petey,’ she said, ‘this is Stella who I’ve told you so much about. Stella, Pete, who’s going to be running things with me. Having said that, once the TV people get here we’ll all be royally bossed around by them, but try not to let it bother you, we need them. We also need an answer from the firemen. Can they make a photo shoot this afternoon?’

‘It’s all in hand, darling,’ Pete assured her, while kissing Stella on both cheeks. ‘Photographer and studio booked, eight of them can make it, and Theo’s going to join them. Once the public at large, or should I say oestrogen at large, gets a glimpse of all that testosterone, we can start looking at six figures for our fund.’

‘Oooh, here, you’m one of them fairies,’ Stella announced merrily. ‘My son’s one of you lot, but don’t tell his father. Be all hell to pay if Sid found out. He thinks the only extra use for a bum is parking a pushbike,’ and though it was a crude old joke everyone laughed, simply because she did.

‘This woman is priceless,’ Pete pronounced, fluffing up Stella’s carroty hair, ‘you’re going to look just scrumptious on camera, darling. In fact, I can see you becoming a cult.’

‘Reckon we got enough of them round here already,’ she chortled. ‘What with all the bloody witches and Satanists and spiritualists. Place is rife with ’em. But now here’s someone whose cult I definitely wouldn’t mind joining.’

They all turned as Theo and his two-litre Honda swerved into the yard, with a helmeted Sharon riding pillion and clinging tightly to his waist.

Going over to greet them, Vivienne smiled to see Sharon’s flush of pleasure as she struggled to hold her wig in place while removing her helmet.

‘Wow, that was something else,’ Sharon declared, giving Vivienne a hug. ‘First time I’ve ever been on a motorbike. Lovely to see you. We was half afraid you might not come.’

‘I told you before, I’ve no intention of letting you down,’ Vivienne reassured her. Then in an undertone to Theo, as Sharon began unwinding her bobbly scarf and unzipping her coat, ‘I need a word with you.’

With a wink to let her know he’d heard, he informed everyone that they’d just passed a Sky TV crew car, so they probably ought to get down to some sort of rehearsal.

‘Did Stella tell you about the women who’ve
dropped
out?’ Sharon whispered to Vivienne as they started towards the barn.

‘Yes. I can’t say I’m surprised. It’s a pity, though, because this should be about you, not me.’

‘That’s as may be, but I’m disgusted with them myself. Anyway, it’s not going to be long before the press find out you’re here, at the refuge, so I was thinking, why don’t we see if we can rope in a few of the local lads to try and keep them away, you know, like bouncers? They’re all itching to do something, and they’re feeling a bit left out at the minute, so I bet they’d jump at the chance to get involved, those who’re free to do it. Trouble is, they might want paying, but we could always settle up with them after the auction, if there’s enough money in the pot.’

‘That’s for you, and women in your position,’ Vivienne reminded her, ‘but it’s a good idea, so I’ll work out a way to pay them.’

‘Actually, it shouldn’t be all that difficult to make the place secure,’ Sharon went on, clearly thrilled that she’d hit on a useful suggestion. ‘There’s only one way in by car, so they can easily block the road down by Ingall’s farm, and even if someone manages to get across the fields, we’d see them coming, so we could send someone to see them off.’

Inwardly Vivienne was smiling to herself, but as naive as the plan was, it was certainly one way of sorting out the invited from the intruders. ‘So who do we talk to to round up our heavies?’ she asked.

Sharon laughed mischievously. ‘Who do you think? Stella. She’ll get them on the case in no time at all. I was thinking you might need someone to help keep them out of Sir Richard’s place too, if you’re still staying there.’

‘I am, but it’s pretty secure, and Theo will be with me, so let the press make of that what they will. Now, down to more important matters, any news yet on when they’re likely to admit you?’

‘No. There’s still some things going on with the donor, apparently, but I promise to let you know what’s happening the minute they tell me.’

As Vivienne looked into her girlish blue eyes that were doing such a valiant job of hiding how afraid she must be, she felt such a surge of admiration for her courage, not to mention affection for the selflessness that made her so special, that tears filled her eyes.

‘Oh blimey, looks to me like you’m going to start getting all soppy on me,’ Sharon chided. ‘Can’t be having that now. Too much to do. So where’s this Pete Theo’s been telling me about? Ooooh look, that must be your kiddie what Stella’s holding. I got to go and see ’im. He’s just a baby, dear little thing.’

As she took off across the barn Vivienne turned to Theo, who was strolling up behind them, apparently engrossed in sending a text.

When he’d finished, she said, ‘I know you’re planning to stay with friends on Dartmoor.’

‘Cousins, actually,’ he corrected. ‘On my dad’s side. They’ve got a place close to Dunstone. I’m sure you’d be welcome to join us, they’ve got plenty of room.’

‘Actually,’ she said, ‘I was going to ask you to join me at the cider press.’

He looked at her in surprise.

After explaining about the call the police had received from someone claiming to be Jacqueline, she said, ‘We’ve no idea yet if it was actually her, but it seems highly likely, and as we’ve no way of knowing
exactly
where she is … The call was made in Kew, but there’s nothing to say she’s still there—’

‘You don’t have to explain any further,’ he interrupted, with a chivalrous twinkle. ‘I’ll call my cousins and let them know there’s been a change of plan. I might have to go up there for dinner later, though, because I think they’ve already arranged for some other friends to come over, but I can’t see any problem in you and Rufus joining us if you’d like to.’

She smiled. ‘I need to speak to Miles first,’ she said, ‘but if we’re free, we’d love to. Now, that looks very like a camera crew arriving, so bang goes our rehearsal, looks like we’re about to go straight for it.’

‘No problem,’ he whispered, ‘I have everything under control,’ and after treating her to a reassuring peck on the cheek, he sauntered over to join Sharon and Stella, his fellow interviewees.

Thrilled by what an asset he was already proving, Vivienne took off back across the stable yard to greet the crew, half hoping Al Kohler might be with them, though knowing it was unlikely for someone in his position to come out to location.

‘Al’s going to try and get down for the auction,’ the producer told her as they shook hands. ‘Meanwhile, we’re here to recce the place for the OB guys, and shoot an interview with …’ He checked his clipboard. ‘Sharon, Stella and, of course Theo Kenwood-South. He’s here, is he?’

‘Over there,’ Vivienne said, pointing the way. ‘I’ll let you decide where you want to set up, but I should warn you neither Sharon nor Stella has had any time to prepare.’

‘Don’t worry about that. We’ll take good care of them. At some point I need to talk to you about doing
a
live link with the studio tomorrow morning. They’d like it to be from Sharon’s home, with her kids around, if possible. And Theo.’

‘I’m sure they’ll both be amenable,’ Vivienne responded, heartened by how much thought was already going into setting it all up. ‘This is Pete Alexander who I believe you’ve already spoken to,’ she said, as Pete came to meet them. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to take this call,’ and leaving them to it, she clicked on to answer her phone.

‘Hi, are you OK?’ she asked softly as she turned back outside.

‘Fine,’ Miles replied. ‘Where are you?’

‘At Susie’s horse sanctuary. We’re using the barn here for our auction. What’s happening with Kelsey?’

‘She’s gone back to school. Relations were restored somewhat before she went, but not completely, so I’m still worried.’

‘Of course, but maybe it’s good for you to have a little time apart. It’s been pretty intense this past couple of weeks.’

‘You’re right about that,’ he said dryly. ‘Anyway, I guess you’re busy so I’d better not keep you. I was just wondering if it would be convenient for me to come over later?’

Feeling a swell of love, she said, ‘Of course it would. I’ll stand Theo down, so come whenever you like. We’ll be at the cider press from about five.’

‘Thank you.’ His voice was deep and soft. ‘I’m afraid it has to be conditional on Kelsey,’ he added. ‘If she calls and wants me to go and get her …’

‘Don’t worry. Just come if you can. We’ll both be looking forward to seeing you.’

*

Justine was regarding the Critch with barely a trace of the contempt that generally seethed at her insides when she was near him. Her predominant emotion was triumph for how effectively she’d just managed to silence the egotistical moron.

As she waited the incessant hubbub of the newsroom outside swirled on around the glassed-in pod that was his, an urgent river flowing around the immutable rocks of his brain. For him the world had stopped with the words she’d just spoken, and wouldn’t move again until he’d fully grasped what it could mean.

‘Let me get this straight,’ he said finally, his gingery whiskers sparking in the funnelled glow of his desk lamp. ‘This woman is not only suggesting that Miles Avery’s known all along his son was dead, but she can even show you where the body is buried?’

‘She said remains, which is all there would be now, obviously,’ Justine responded, feeling like putting her feet up on his desk.

He got up, walked to the door then turned back again. His round, hairy belly was straining to make an appearance through the buttons of a pale pink shirt that was only half-tucked into his low-slung trousers. Sartorial elegance had never been his strong point, any more than subtlety had ever played a part in his chequered career.

‘So what next?’ he asked, and could hardly have looked more excited if saliva had started to drool from his lips. ‘Have you set up a meet with her yet?’

In a gratifyingly condescending tone – that was very likely to bypass him completely – she said, ‘Actually, before I go any further with this I think we need to discuss a return to a full-page column every Sunday
that
allows me to contribute to other – non-rival – publications where I choose.’

He appeared neither shaken nor surprised – why would he, when she was talking his language? ‘You failed to mention moolah,’ he reminded her. ‘It has to be part of the deal, so let’s have it all on the table.’

‘You can make me an offer. I’m not greedy, but I do need a new car.’