Three Little Maids (26 page)

The two middle-aged Chauncey brothers had varied views on reading matter. Both were pig farmers. Cedric enjoyed books on sports of all kinds. Cricket and cricketers were his favourite brain fodder. And biographies of famous actors, film stars when he could find any he hadn’t already read. Silas, his twin, read anything to do with sea travel, underwater wrecks and true crime. The fact that their mother, Jessica, kept an matriarchal eye on her two boys and the running of the farm, might have something to with their unmarried state and their reading, Viviane thought, as they were the first up the steps and came to her counter together.

Closely followed by Margaret Vincent, a sweet old lady with a basketful of crime novels. At eighty two, it was the mysteries that caught her interest most. Agatha Christie, Patricia Cornwall, Sue Grafton and Ruth Rendall were some of her favorites. But for her elderly son Barney, a widower and retired chemist, only the Medical Harlequin Mills and Boon romantic fiction would do.

‘I do hope you can find something new, amongst these, Mr. Vincent. You’ve read so many of the paperbacks we have on our shelves. I’ve tried to sort some out for you from the Central library and brought them with me. Can you remember what you’ve already read? I know that Barbara Neels is your favourite.’

‘Thank you so much, Mrs Sherlborne, for taking so much trouble. I often wish that I could enjoy what Mother reads. But crime’s not my cup of tea. Reading about murders and far worse.’ He shuddered for effect and smiled.

‘Yes,’ said Viviane watching Mrs Vincent making her way carefully over to the crime shelves. ‘I don’t think I could fancy them myself not at the moment.’

‘Oh, yes, of course those dreadful murders in Harcombe. I still can’t believe it’s happening. It doesn’t seem real to us living out here. I put on the local news and the TV and it’s there on the screen every day. Mother will listen to it. She laps it up. How can you possibly stand it? I’m glad I brought Mother to live here. Although we’re still thought of as newcomers even after twenty years at The Lilacs,’ he said with a chuckle.

The Vicar’s wife, Cassandra Beavers deposited baby buggy and infant strategically outside and bounced up the van steps with her tote bag full of books. A lively all sorts mixture consisting of Healthy Meals for Infants, Vegetable and Organic Gardening. Craft Ideas for Busy Mums. Her own tastes varied from romance via Barbara Bradford Taylor, Danielle Steele, and crime from Minette Walters. While sea tales by Douglas Reeman and spy thrillers by Ted Allbury were her husband Tim’s favourite reading.

‘I’ve got the book you reserved, Cassandra. The latest Minette Walters. I thought it looked good myself. Just the kind to curl up with when you have the time to read. How on earth do you manage it with all the parish work you get through?’

‘It’s light relief and I squeeze it in somehow. We’ve got the wedding of the year in the church next month,’ Cassie Beaver said as she picked up her ticket. ‘It will be the big Manderville society wedding. Tim is getting nervous. So he wants some escapist fiction to get his teeth into.’

‘That’s Hugh Manderville marrying the Berkley girl, isn’t it? So the wedding is taking place here and not in Harcombe? How did they manage that?’

‘Well the small chapel used by the Berkley’s would hardly be able to cope with all the guests. So there was no argument over that. The Manderville heirs have always married in our church. Mr. Ludlam will take some part in the ceremony, I gather according to Bill. As I said it’ll be a society affair.’

Viviane thought of the trouble that Tom Berkley had got himself into during the past week. How was he going to manage to get away with it without any mud sticking? Even if his wife, Brenda
, never got to hear about Yvette. While the murder case was on going, it was possible that even a whisper coming from Cliff Jones could ruin everything for the happy couple if the media picked it up.

She closed up the van for lunch with all the satisfied readers going off with their selection for a fortnight or so. And Ginger Bowles, her young driver, taking off to the Cock and Bull pub to have a Ploughman’s lunch and a
non-alcoholic drink. She decided to try the Antique shop for the Toby Jug first of all. And discovered that after all she couldn’t get everything her own way as she quickly discovered that things she’d tried hard to avoid had a sneaky way of catching up with her.

She was standing in the corner looking up at the jug, while waiting for assistance from the shop keeper, Mr. Willowby, when she discovered that she wasn’t entirely alone in the shop.

Down the other end, Aiden Ludlam and Michael Berkley were discussing the purchase of some antique picture frames while looking over them carefully. Michael seemed anxious about something. He obviously wanted to make the right choice. Holding up first one and then the other for Aiden’s approval.

Aiden his arm round the youth’s shoulder, was smiling into his face. Giving him a gentle shake. It looked as if he was also giving him some good advice. She guessed off hand that Michael was more
than likely worrying about his father. It couldn’t have entirely escaped his son’s notice that he’d been in a fight of some sort. And what it was about would soon become public knowledge. Aiden looked sympathetic. A ready ear when it wasn’t possible to discuss it with anyone else.

She wondered if Michael mentioned his family troubles to Simon. But he was naturally a shy boy. If he had, it wasn’t likely her son would tell her anyway. He was good at keeping secrets.

Michael made a decision. And then looked at some of the picture frames on sale. He looked happier as Mr. Willowby took it from him to wrap it.

She kept her back turned and heard the shopkeeper approaching her. ‘Can I help you, Mrs Sherlborne?’

She smiled. ‘Yes, Mr. Willowby. I think you can. That rascally looking pirate smiling down at me from that top shelf. He seems like a merry old soul. Have you put the jug up there perhaps because you don’t want to part with him? Is he your lucky charm?’

Mr. Willowby chuckled. ‘Could be. So you’ve taken a fancy to him too?’

‘If it’s what I’m looking for then, it’s yes. But I shan’t know till I can look at him more closely. The jug hasn’t got any cracks in it, has it?’

‘No. I’ll get it down in two ticks.’

‘Mrs Sherlborne. I wasn’t aware that you collected Toby Jugs.’ Aiden Ludlam stopped to admire the jug as Mr. Willowby handed it over.

‘No. It’s a present for someone, Mr. Ludlam. Thank you, Mr. Willowby. I’ll take a look at it and make up my mind.’

‘Thank you, Mr. Willowby. We shall no doubt call in again.’

‘Thank you, Mr. Ludlam. Mr. Berkley.’

Viviane took the Toby Jug over to the large front bay window and studied it carefully. It looked genuine. She hadn’t got a clue about Toby Jugs. He could possibly have a similar one. But it might please him. She swallowed hard at the price. But going by what he had paid for the other one at the Antique fair, it was reasonable enough. He’d soon put her straight about whether it was a bargain or not.

It looked good. The colour glaze was fine and there were no perceptible cracks that she could see. There was a roguish look in the Pirate’s right eye. The other had a black patch on it. She liked it she hoped Jon would too.

‘I’ll take it, Mr. Willowby. Thank you.’ She noticed that Aiden Ludlam had stopped outside the shop. He was making a suggestion to Michael that she guessed had something to do with her. And she was soon proved right.

‘I gather that you are working here on the mobile van, Mrs Sherlborne?’

‘Yes, but I’ve knocked off for lunch now.’

‘Well, I wonder if you will give us the pleasure of inviting you to lunch with us. The Blue Parrot Pub restaurant has a really good cuisine. It’s a gourmet’s delight.’

‘Thank you, Mr. Ludlam. That will be- very nice.’

She wasn’t sure whether she was doing the right thing. But she was interested enough to discover the reason for their visit to Pealinghurst. Unless it was to see the Vicar about the wedding. That could be it of course.

She settled for an omelette and green side salad.

‘You are easy to please. I daresay you were surprised to find us over here, Mrs Sherlborne. But I’d arranged to see the Vicar today. And Michael wanted some ideas for a wedding present for the happy couple. So we managed to combine the two things most admirably, didn’t we Michael? Show Mrs Sherlborne what you’ve purchased.’

‘You’ve bought something, Michael? I couldn’t help noticing the package you brought from the shop.’

‘Yes. I bought an antique picture frame.’ He smiled. ‘It cost me more than the actual present.’

‘Well it isn’t a secret, Michael. You can show Mrs Sherlborne what you’ve been doing this morning while I’ve been talking to the Vicar.’

Michael smiled shyly. ‘You see I wanted to give my sister and Hugh something special. A kind of unusual wedding present. So as I like doing brass rubbings, Mr. Ludlam suggested that I did a brass rubbing of Hugh’s ancestors in the church. And frame it.’

‘How original. So what did you actually do?’

‘Well-
I’ve got one each of their Norman ancestor Hugh de Manderville and his wife Lady Elaine to put in this gilded frame. I shall put it behind glass. It took me ages to do the rubbing.’ He glanced at Aiden Ludlam. ‘And I had to ask permission from the Vicar before I started. But I am very pleased with it. So I hope they will be too.’

‘What a lovely idea. It’s unusual and special, Michael. I’m sure they’re like it. I know I would.’

‘There you see, Michael. Your doubts should have all vanished by now. It will be a great success.’

‘So you brought Michael with you to do this, Mr. Ludlam. That was good of you.’

‘He can’t drive yet. His father wouldn’t have time to bring him. And he wanted to keep it a secret from the family.’

‘So it was a good solution for you to bring him over. Mr. Berkley will thank you for it when he sees what Michael has done.’

She spotted the look of pain that was reflected instantly in the boy’s eyes. He seemed troubled by the mention of his father’s name. Had he heard about his father’s skirmish with Cliff Jones?

She glanced at her watch. ‘Thank you both for my lunch. It was delicious. I hope you will let me treat you another time.’

‘It was our pleasure, Mrs Sherlborne. Would I be right thinking that the Toby Jug you bought today is intended for Inspector Kent? A birthday present perhaps.’ Ludlam smiled charmingly.

‘You’re perceptive. Did you know that he collected Toby Jugs?’

‘Yes. I did. I noticed at the Antique fair last month that he was interested in those on sale there.’

‘Yes he is. And I hope that he likes this one. He can do with cheering up right now.’

Oh dear. Should she have said that? Probably not. It wasn’t like she was talking to the enemy. But perhaps it didn’t reflect much confidence in what Kent was doing to catch the murderer.

Ludlam smiled. ‘I’m sure that you can do much to brighten up his life, Mrs Sherlborne. It’s extremely fortunate that he has such an attractive landlady to come home too. A policeman’s life is not always a happy
one- as the song goes.’

She clipped tight on the sharp retort she felt like giving him. She was getting tired of people reading more into the tenant and landlady relationship than there actually was. She was pretty sure that he was getting some of the same in work. But how did he handle it? Okay? Probably. He could laugh it
off. He wasn’t the kind to take offense.

But she smiled sweetly. ‘He’s a friend, Mr. Ludlam and nothing more. And my tenant. He knew my husband for a while when they worked together at the Met. And I felt that I owed him something. I’m sure that if our positions had been reversed, my husband would have fitted in just fine with Inspector Kents’s family too.’

‘Of course, Mrs Sherlborne. Have a pleasant journey back. You do a splendid job here. I hear nothing but praise for the library van service from our library committee. And I notice that you have a good attendance. Looks like nearly every household turned out for your appearance. Books are sorely missed when you can’t get them so easily. My children love going to your library. Gwynith makes sure that they read from a book every day.’

‘Yes, I’m sure they do enjoy reading.
Oh- I can see my driver getting into the van. I must go. Thank you once again.’

56

‘And what is your business, sir. Can I help you? The Inspector is busy at the moment.’

‘I would like to see Inspector Kent.’

Police Constable Jack Crosby looked at the young man. He was hardly more than a teenager. He thought he recognized him from somewhere.

‘And what would your name be, sir?’

‘Michael Berkley, officer. And I would like to make a statement.’

‘One moment, Mr. Berkley. Would you like to take a seat over there, please? And I’ll see if Inspector Kent is free to see you.’

Crosby picked up the phone. ‘Inspector, Crosby here. There is a young man out here who is anxious to speak to you. To put it mildly, he seems all het up like he could burst into tears any minute. Could be important. Says he wants to make a statement. Sounds like a confession more like.’

Kent groaned. Not another confession. That make’s sixteen so far. ‘What’s his name?’