Murder by Mistake (17 page)

‘You’ve told Sam?’

‘On my way out of the interview. He’s thrilled for me. I start as soon as we come back from honeymoon. It’ll be chaos, getting into the new flat and everything, but I don’t care if we do sleep on a mattress on the floor at first.’

‘That’s the spirit. I remember when I married first . . . No, no. You won’t want to hear about that.’

Ursula smiled. ‘Some time you’ll tell me, but not now. You haven’t asked me to meet you so urgently without a good reason. Mia’s all right, isn’t she?’

‘Yes, she is. I won’t keep you long, but first let me tell you what’s happening on the wedding front.’ She proceeded to give Ursula a word picture of Mr Balls and his two slaves, and what they were going to do to keep the two wedding receptions apart.

Ursula was fascinated and appalled. ‘If I’d known, I’d never have accepted your offer to hold the reception at your place. I wonder if it’s possible even now to shift it somewhere else?’

‘Certainly not. I’m looking forward to seeing you wed and to giving you a good send-off. Neither Thomas nor I would miss it for the world. We want to give you a wedding present, too, if you’ll allow us to do so.’

Ellie passed over an envelope containing some of the money which she’d just collected from the bank. ‘We’ll give you something for your new home later on, when you’ve settled in and found out what you need, but for now this is to help with expenses. Your father and his family staying over, that sort of thing.’

Ursula pushed the envelope back. ‘No, no. Something for the flat later; that would be wonderful. You’ve given me so much, Mrs Quicke. When I asked you to find Mia, I didn’t really believe you could do it. I’d been surrounded for ever by men and women who believed that corruption was acceptable, that you couldn’t fight it. I was on the point of accepting it, too. Then I met you and Thomas and understood it was possible to stand up for what I believed in at heart. You don’t realize it, perhaps, but you and Thomas sort of shine. That sounds a bit silly, but—’

‘No, you’re right. Thomas does shine.’

‘You do, too. It was like turning a corner and seeing that there was a different road to travel down. A harder road, maybe. But one that made me feel more comfortable in myself. Now I look back and shudder when I think how near I was to giving up. My dear Sam is the same. I know that in the years to come there may be times when he’ll stand up for the truth, against the odds, and refuse to compromise. Perhaps his sense of humour will help him through difficult situations, and perhaps not. Perhaps his integrity may count against him, and may even block his way up the career ladder, but he’s not in this life for wealth and power, and neither am I. And remember, if I’d never met you and Thomas, I’d never have met Sam, either. So please, don’t try to give me money.’

Ellie put the money back in her bag. ‘You’re right, of course. Sorry.’

Ursula gave one of her blindingly white smiles. ‘So how are you coping with two weddings at once? And how is Midge the terrible cat managing?’

‘He’s very annoyed, but on the scrounge for titbits at coffee times. Mia is preoccupied, cooking up a storm, which I think is a good thing. She really is a good cook, isn’t she? Your wedding certainly is doing wonders for her confidence. It’s the best possible way to ease her back into a social occasion. She loves her dress. You are clever, Ursula.’

Ursula drew in a sharp breath. ‘Not clever enough to have seen what the Priors intended to do with her. Not clever enough to have stopped it.’

‘Now don’t beat yourself up. I don’t see how you could have known what would happen, and you got her out of it, didn’t you? And rescued her from that harridan of an aunt in the country.’

‘Poor old biddy. She’ll probably have to go into a home now. She’d become totally dependent on Mia to keep her going. I feel sorry for her.’

A smile. ‘But not sorry enough to leave Mia with her.’

‘No, not that.’ Ursula laughed. Their meals arrived. ‘And now for the bad news?’

‘Ah. Well, someone – we don’t know who – seems bent on terrorizing Mia. I’m not referring to the car accident last Monday, because I really don’t think that was anything but chance.’ Ellie filled Ursula in on the delivery of the lilies with its threatening message, the Sympathy Card, and wreath.

Ursula ate her salad, her eyes flickering this way and that, considering possibilities. ‘Have you checked with the police? Who’s still inside, and who’s out on bail?

‘I asked the police to do so. Mr Prior and his sons are both still in jail, as is their friend, the councillor. Mia’s ‘uncle’ Bob is dead. Which leaves—’

‘Mrs Prior. I can see her sending poisonous messages, but surely she’s not allowed anywhere near Mia, is she?’

‘She summoned me to say that she had Mia’s best interests at heart, which I beg leave to doubt. However, I don’t think it’s her. She’s got a nice big fish to fry, a wealthy businessman, and is moving out to the Barbican . . . to live under his “protection” no doubt.’

‘Miaow,’ said Ursula. ‘Though you’re probably right. Incredible to relate – since she’s as old as my mother – Mrs Prior is still a sex bomb, isn’t she? She reminds me of Mae West. A little.’

‘So who is doing this? Can you think of some hanger-on of the Prior crowd who’d want to upset Mia now?’

Ursula finished her last mouthful. ‘There’s one or two, but . . . no. They’re camp followers, good at obeying orders, but not exactly . . . there’s a different mindset behind this nastiness, isn’t there? A sympathy card, lilies, a wreath. Dan might know, or know who to ask.’ She contemplated the idea of asking Dan in silence. Finally, she shook her head. ‘I don’t think I can ask him.’

‘No, but I might. Mrs Collins said she’d pass on a message that I wanted to speak to him. He’s got a job as manager of the Health Club, you know.’

‘Glad to hear it,’ said Ursula, signalling to the waitress. ‘Two coffees? Oh, did you want something else? Sorry, I’m always jumping the gun.’

‘That’s fine. A latte.’ Ursula had always been a bossy boots and probably always would be. Luckily, her fiancé was one who could cope.

Ursula put her elbows on the table and rested her chin on them. A characteristic pose. ‘I suppose you could always ask Silly Billy. Stupid name. He’s not silly, really. Just . . . a skin too few? Mummy’s boy? He used to follow Mia around with his tongue hanging out, but he wasn’t part of our crowd, really. He might have noticed something, but . . . No, I don’t suppose he noticed anything. Not really bright enough, if you know what I mean?’

‘He was in love with Mia?’

‘I wouldn’t put it that strongly. “Love” implies . . .’ she thought about what the word love meant to her, and her expression softened. She shook her head. ‘No, he’s a pathetic little creature, worshipped her from afar. Might have got round to sending her a valentine card, perhaps. She was always kind to him, never brushed him off. He’s the only other person I can think of who might have spotted someone who wished her harm. Dan would know where to find him, I suppose.’

‘What’s his full name?’

‘Billy, William. Can’t remember.’ She finished her coffee and looked at her watch. ‘I’ve got to get out to Heathrow to meet the family. You’ll excuse me, won’t you? Let me know if I can do anything else to help.’

‘I’ll see you at the wedding rehearsal tomorrow evening.’

Ursula landed a kiss somewhere on Ellie’s cheek and fled.

ELEVEN

E
llie paid the bill and was just wondering whether to take the bus or a taxi to the Health Club when her mobile phone trilled.

It was Thomas. ‘Sorry to disturb you, Ellie. Can you get back here, pronto?’

Ellie immediately thought the worst. ‘What’s happened? Someone’s hurt?’

‘We’re all fine, and Mr Balls tells me everything’s going to plan, but you’re needed.’

Thomas didn’t send out an SOS unless there was real trouble. ‘Ten minutes.’

Whatever could have gone wrong? Some precious piece of furniture smashed by workmen? Should she call a cab? No. It would be quicker to walk. She walked. The sun had come out, but the day was humid. Not the best day for walking fast. She told herself to take it easy, worse things happen at sea, nothing could be that traumatic if Thomas, Rose and Mia were all right. Of course, the house could be on fire. No, Thomas would have said so. Wouldn’t he?

She turned into her road and looked for fire engines. There were none. Well, good. She hadn’t really thought . . . Of course not.

A lorry backed out of her driveway. She couldn’t even be bothered to see what firm it was from, but took out her keys to open the front door. It had been double locked and bolted. Why? She hurried round to the kitchen. That door was also locked and bolted. She rapped on the door, and after a pause it was opened by Rose, who looked flustered but seemed to have the usual complement of arms and legs.

‘Inside,’ said Rose, unusually terse.

The kitchen was a large one but old-fashioned by today’s standards. Rose liked it that way, and who was going to argue with Rose? A pine table occupied the centre, and round it there were now grouped Thomas, Mia . . . and four boys whose ages Ellie estimated as seven to eleven. Eating sandwiches and drinking squash. Denis’s boys? Of course.

They turned blank faces to her, but didn’t speak.

Mia was idle, which was unusual for her.

Thomas had a large pot of tea in front of him and the largest of large mugs. He poured tea into a cup and handed it to Ellie, indicating that she sit down beside him.

The boys watched her. Wary. Chewing. On closer inspection, it looked as if they’d been sleeping rough. Or roughing someone else up?

There was a rapping on the back door and Rose went to see who wanted admission. She murmured something, and the man – whoever he was – disappeared.

Thomas said, ‘Ellie, let me introduce you to the General, and his troops. General, say hello to the lady.’ The eldest boy muttered something around his sandwich, keeping his eyes on her the while.

‘Second in command, and therefore called the Major.’ The next biggest boy bobbed his head at Ellie and said, ‘Howdedo.’ Well, sort of.

‘Third in line, the Captain.’ This boy managed to clear his mouth long enough to say, ‘I want some more drink.’

‘And last, but not least, the Lieutenant.’

The General had cleared his plate. ‘We’ve finished, so give us our stuff back.’

‘In a minute,’ said Thomas. ‘First of all, I want you to thank Mrs Quicke for allowing you into her house and giving you something to eat.’

Mumble, mumble. The Captain reiterated his demand for more drink. Rose refilled his mug in silence.

‘Now,’ said Thomas, who could apparently control small boys as well as parish congregations, ‘I’d like you to tell Mrs Quicke how you came to be here.’

The three youngest boys looked at the General, who shrugged but vouchsafed.

‘Dunno. She weren’t there like she should have been. At first we thought she was hiding, and we went all over the house, but she weren’t there. Except she might of been in the bathroom, I suppose, but it’s locked. There’s a separate toilet downstairs so we used that. We kicked around for a bit, but there was nothing much to eat, and we had no money to buy stuff with. So we went up by the shops, but they didn’t let us in, not all four of us at once, so we couldn’t nick anything much. Then we got really hungry and phoned Mum, but she was just off to have her hair done and said we’d better go round to Dad’s work. So we did, but he weren’t there. Diana wouldn’t give us any money, but said she’d give us a lift to you and you’d look after us. Only that man there—’

‘Meaning me,’ said Thomas. ‘Chief of Staff, if you please.’

A wriggle. ‘Well, Diana dropped us off at your door and we came in, and the man with the wig squealed when he saw us and—’

‘Mr Balls,’ said Ellie.

‘He went and got your man with the beard—’

‘Chief of Staff, War Office,’ said Thomas.

‘And he took all our electronic games and mobiles off us and wouldn’t give them back till we’d had something to eat. We want them, now!’

Ellie tried to disentangle this. ‘When did your mother drop you at Mrs Summers’ place?’

Another shrug. ‘Early. This morning. I want my game. Now!’

The Lieutenant began to kick his chair, rhythmically. Annoyingly.

‘Another round of ham sandwiches, anyone?’ said Rose.

All four boys switched their eyes to her and nodded. Mia and Rose began to assemble more food, while Ellie spoke in a low voice to Thomas. ‘I saw Mrs Summers yesterday afternoon. She planned to go over to her sister’s later, but she was definitely expecting the boys back today. Am I imagining things, or is there something sinister about the locked bathroom door?’

‘As ever, you go straight to the heart of the matter. I’ve tried ringing the Mrs Summers in the phone book, but there’s no reply. I tried Diana, but she’s out of the office on some job or other, and so is Denis. Both their mobiles are switched off. I left messages.’

‘How on earth did you subdue them? I thought they were feral.’

‘I renamed them, which I thought might instil a sense of discipline, and removed their electronic gadgets. They’re to get them back after they’ve eaten in peace and quiet. They were famished, so that worked for a bit. What do we do next? Because they’re occupying the kitchen, Rose hasn’t been able to feed and water the multitudes outside, which makes the workmen unhappy and Mr Balls threaten to resign.’