Intrigue in the Village (Turnham Malpas 10) Read online

  As she turned back to sit again in her chair Kate said, ‘It still doesn’t alter the fact that that cottage is a pigsty and a disgrace. You wouldn’t keep a dog in it, and if you did, the RSPCA would have you in court in quick sticks.’

  ‘You’ve seen it then?’

  ‘No, but Caroline and Peter have and they are both horrified.’

  He blew yet more smoke into the air and, having cleared his lungs by doing so, he said slowly and deliberately, ‘You may be a wealthy woman but you have no right to dictate how I run my businesses. All, and I repeat all decisions are made by me. OK?’

  Kate, so eager to press her case, didn’t pick up on the threatening tone of his voice. ‘I know nothing about business so not interfering, well, that’s fine by me, but you don’t appear at all fazed by the fact that you are taking rent for a house that is unfit for human habitation.’

  ‘Kate, I’ve just said I make the decisions.’

  ‘Yes, but—’

  As though bestowing a great privilege on Mrs Bliss, he proclaimed, ‘No buts, she’s free to move anytime. There’s no obligation on her part. I’m not compelling her to stay there.’

  Kate had to ask. ‘Have you seen it?’

  ‘No. But I’m only asking ten pounds a week, which is nothing.’

  ‘You should be paying her to live there.’

  ‘I haven’t had a penny rent from that cottage since Simone died. No one wanted to live in it.’ His expression was inscrutable. She hated him for it; he’d never spoken to her like this. ‘Time I got some return on my investment, small though it is.’

  ‘How much did you pay for it?’

  ‘Bought it for a song the first year I lived here. Ten thousand pounds, I think.’

  ‘So, done up, in a beautiful village like Little Derehams, you’d get thousands upon thousands if you sold it.’

  Deadpan, he stabbed a finger in the air as though it was a brilliant idea, which had never occurred to him. ‘That’s an idea. I might just do that very thing.’

  Kate sprang to her feet. ‘Please don’t! The Blisses will have nowhere to live if you do. You wouldn’t, would you?’

  ‘I’ve said it twice and I shan’t say it again: you may have half my businesses but you have no right to make decisions. Those are mine and mine alone. Another drink?’

  ‘No.’ Kate couldn’t cope with this side of Craddock. She’d known it existed but it had never manifested itself in her presence before. Dear God! Had she made the blunder of a lifetime in marrying him? For the very first time since they’d married she had terrible doubts. She needed time to think, long and seriously. He had shown such utter generosity in giving her half his assets and yet he baulked at this, a minor capital outlay compared to the rest of his fortune.

  She sat staring at him as all these thoughts were running through her head. He appeared now a total stranger, as though he’d invaded the sitting room uninvited and sat down in a chair of hers. The as yet slender threads by which they were bound together snapped.

  Then he smiled at her. ‘Have I surprised you? You look appalled.’

  ‘I am. Totally. How can the loving man I married be so callous? So damned unfeeling? The Bliss children are suffering. Do you hear? Or are you too thick-skinned?’

  ‘I hear, my dearest. I hear.’

  ‘So, what are you going to do about it?’

  ‘Nothing. If I spend money doing it up then I shall have to charge more rent, she won’t be able to live there and I shall be the terrible landlord.’

  ‘You are already. That cottage is an eyesore.’

  ‘No one but you and the Rectory know that, and they won’t tell. Discretion, you know, and besides I’ve given too much money to the church for Peter to betray me.’

  Kate got to her feet again. ‘Betray you? You know you’re doing wrong or you wouldn’t have used that word. What’s more, you know Peter better than that. He wouldn’t hold back from being truthful about you simply because you’re a benefactor. He’s honourable through and through.’

  ‘Meaning?’

  Kate didn’t answer.

  ‘Meaning that I’m not?’

  Kate clenched her fists. ‘I don’t understand. You are honourable; giving me half of the business is more than honourable. It would be such a small matter in the grand scheme of things to have this house made habitable. Such a small thing.’

  Craddock got to his feet so they were facing each other over the hearth rug. ‘I shall tell you again for the last time – I make all the decisions.’

  Defiantly Kate retorted, ‘Then I shall wait until half the business is mine and I shall do it myself.’

  He took a step forward, eyes blazing, his temper barely in check and Kate, for one terrible, frightening moment, thought he was going to hit her. If he did, then the marriage was over before it had begun. She shuddered with anger and stepped back to distance herself from his fury.

  But he didn’t hit her. Instead he grasped her wrist and said, ‘Don’t defy me, Kate, all that does is force me to take decisions I shouldn’t be taking. I won’t be pushed. Persuaded, possibly; pushed, definitely not. Don’t make me do something that will destroy what we have for each other. There is a line over which married people must never step, because if they do, they are on the path to destruction, and in my experience married people take that step far too often, and their marriages turn to ashes in their mouths.’

  As he spoke his voice became gentle and persuasive until by the time he’d finished, she was horrified how close they had come to spoiling everything they had. Kate realized he was talking about respect for one another and she wondered if perhaps in marriage that was as important as love. A huge well of emotion filled her, scrambling her thoughts, tumbling her feelings until they were topsy-turvy and more than anything in the whole wide world she wanted to put things right between them. She was in his arms apologizing and weeping before she knew it. ‘I’m so sorry. So sorry. I never meant us to get upset like this. I’m not used to being married, I suppose.’

  He wiped away her tears and said, ‘Neither am I. And I’m sorry as well. Too many years having my own way, I suspect. We both need to learn how to live together.’ He lifted her face from his shoulder by placing his finger under her chin. ‘I love you.’ And kissed her very sweetly on her mouth.

  Next morning, to Kate’s relief, Paul and Phil Bliss were wearing school uniform, for which she was very grateful for their sakes. Della had uniform too but not Una. She was wearing a lovely matching jumper and skirt, a bit on the big side but a massive improvement. At least Mrs Bliss had had the sense to accept Caroline’s offer. The condition of the house, however, still concerned Kate. They’d had a wonderful reconciliation last night, she and Craddock, but it affected the issue not one jot.

  What to do about it? She couldn’t go behind his back and report the house to the housing department because she knew what that kind of deception would do to him. One thing about Craddock was that he was up front with his opinions and she’d bring the heavens down on her head if she did anything without telling him. The problem ate away at her all through the morning and she was in no mood for a deputation from the dinner ladies at the end of the lunchtime break.

  ‘Come in!’

  The knock on the door was followed by the entrance of Mrs Dobbs and the senior dinner lady, Jean.

  ‘Yes?’

  They both spoke together. ‘We’ve come because—’

  ‘You first.’

  ‘No, you first.’

  Maggie Dobbs moistened her lips and said, ‘There’s been an argument.’

  ‘A discussion,’ said Jean.

  ‘A discussion, then, about cleaning up after dinners in the hall. Big blobs of cabbage and pudding are just left and I insist, yes, insist they clean up properly before they leave. I slave over that floor and I’ve got rights. Dinner isn’t on my list.’

  Kate looked at the two of them and thought they were worse than children. Looking at Mrs Dobbs’s enemy she said, ‘And what h
ave you to say?’

  ‘She didn’t give us a chance—’

  Maggie puffed herself up, full of righteous indignation. ‘Don’t tell fibs! You were leaving. You ’ad your coat on.’

  ‘The others didn’t.’

  Kate interrupted the argument. ‘If it’s dinner debris then—’

  Maggie Dobbs nodded. ‘It is. I told you.’

  ‘Then it’s not Mrs Dobbs’s concern. Out of kindness she puts out the tables for you so—’

  Maggie puffed up with importance. ‘Thank you, Mrs Fitch. Thank you. See, I told you, Mrs Fitch is on my side.’

  ‘Strictly speaking, I’m not on either side. I’m neutral.’

  ‘But—’

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Dobbs, I have to get on.’

  ‘But I—’

  Kate gave her a stare, which the children knew was her final word. Mrs Dobbs knew that too and turned on her heel and left.

  ‘You know, Mrs Fitch, she’s so difficult to get on with and—’

  ‘Mrs Dobbs is a treasure where the cleaning and caring of this school is concerned and I do not want to lose her.’ By the look in Kate’s eye, there was the unspoken threat that Jean herself was dispensable and the senior dinner lady left in a hurry. Wow! thought Kate. I sound more like Craddock every day. It must be catching. Moments later Kate heard Jean castigasting one of her helpers about the condition of the hall floor. Kate put her head in her hands.

  This business of living with someone, even a person one loved, was difficult. She thought back to last night and the row she and Craddock had had. It all amounted to nothing in the end because she hadn’t moved one step forward in her self-appointed task of improving the conditions in which the Blisses were living. What could she do, though? Craddock very obviously meant what he’d said last night about all the decisions being his. Yet he was sharing his fortune with her. It was all so contradictory. She didn’t even know if she wanted him to do that, but he had, despite the warnings of his solicitor. What to do with all that money if one couldn’t be charitable?

  Mrs Dobbs decided to call in at the Store before she went home to buy a nice piece of plaice for her supper from Jimbo’s freezer. His stuff was always as fresh as it could be. Sometimes when she’d bought fish it was so tasty it seemed as though it had by-passed the fishing trawlers and jumped out from the sea already topped, tailed and gutted straight into the freezer. She’d buy a lemon too, do the job properly.

  It was true, then, what she’d heard; Linda had definitely been sacked because Tom was behind the Post Office counter. ‘Hello, Tom. Enjoying your promotion?’

  Tom grinned. ‘You’ve heard?’

  ‘Well, we’ve all heard that tale before, and she’s usually back before you know it. But it looks permanent this time. Had another row, did they?’

  Tom nodded.

  The door bell jingled and in came one of the Senior sisters. Which one it was Maggie wasn’t sure. No one ever knew; they were one and the same.

  ‘Calamine lotion. And something for stomach upsets. It’s my sister. She’s poorly. Very poorly. And she’s being sick. Sick, yes, sick. I don’t know what to do. I really don’t.’ Miss Senior was twisting her hands together rapidly as though in a fearful frenzy of anxiety.

  Tom unlocked himself from the Post Office cage and went to give her a hand. ‘Not heard of anyone else having it. Is it something she’s eaten, do you think?’

  ‘Don’t know. Don’t know.’

  Tom found the tablets he was looking for and picked up a bottle of calamine lotion on his way back to the till.

  Maggie prolonged her search of the freezer a while longer to give herself time to think. Ill? With a stomach complaint? The Senior sisters were never ill. Even when everyone else was down with whatever was going around, they never caught it. But here they were. Maggie’s scalp prickled with alarm. Surely she hadn’t done it with her tales of a punishment more terrible than they’d ever known? She was being daft. She wasn’t a real medium, now was she? No. But maybe she’d turned into one and didn’t know it. Had she really caused this illness? Maggie smiled to herself. Of course she hadn’t. But it was odd all the same.

  Miss Senior took an age to find the money to pay for the medicine, poking about in every corner of her purse to find the right change, and Maggie had sorted out the fish several times over before she finally left.

  Tom called after her, ‘If that doesn’t work, get the doctor, don’t forget.’

  ‘Here we are then, Tom, while you’re at the till,’ said Maggie, ‘plaice, lemon and two pints of milk. Nothing I like better than fish with broad beans and a drop of parsley sauce with butter in it.’ She smacked her lips at the prospect.

  ‘I’ve never known one of the Senior sisters to be ill. I suppose there’s always a first time.’

  Maggie nodded. ‘I expect so. They come in every day so you’ll know they’re both ill if they don’t.’

  ‘Here’s your change. Enjoy.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Maggie went home to put her feet up and contemplate the possibility of inviting the dinner ladies for a seance. She could have a really good time frightening them with tales she’d overheard when they were washing up in the school kitchen. It was a right hive of gossip in there at dinnertime and not half. Friendly overture, she’d call it. She’d focus on Jean, who’d caused the trouble today. She knew a few things about her she shouldn’t know. Her eyes drooped and she dozed.

  The next lunchtime Maggie positively grovelled to the dinner ladies for causing trouble the previous day. ‘To make up for it,’ she said, ‘why not come for a seance one night. At my house?’

  The three of them – Jean, and the two Maggie had nicknamed Mealy Mouth and Ginger Nob – looked from one to the other in surprise.

  ‘I’m a medium, you know.’ Maggie winked. ‘What about tomorrow night? Half past eight?’

  One by one, they agreed.

  ‘I don’t provide refreshments, which might interfere with the psychical waves, and it’s five pounds each. I’ve got my expenses, you see.’

  ‘Oh! All right then, half past eight. Thanks.’

  ‘I’ve often fancied a go at that. Could be fun. Does it mean you can tell the future?’

  ‘Thanks for the invite. It won’t be frightening though, will it?’

  ‘No. I want to be able to sleep at night.’ Maggie laughed and twinkled her fingers at them in the friendliest way as she left them to their washing up. She found a spoon on the hall floor and as a contribution to restored relations, went back into the kitchen and gave it to them.

  ‘Found this on the floor.’

  ‘Oh! Thanks. That’s kind of you.’

  ‘Not at all.’ Maggie left then, not wanting to over-egg the pudding.

  ‘Kate? It’s Caroline.’

  ‘Hi there.’

  ‘Just to let you know I’ve had a word with Social Services about the Blisses and they’ve promised me they’ll look into it as soon as possible. Unfortunately they’ve staff away at that conference they’ve reported on TV, and some ill, so it may be a while before they’re able to do anything. Just thought I’d let you know.’

  Kate’s heart began to race. ‘I didn’t ask you to do that. Why have you?’

  ‘I thought you would want me to.’

  ‘When you knew it belonged to Craddock. What are you thinking of?’

  There was a short silence and then she heard Caroline saying, ‘I felt it to be my duty to report the conditions they were living in. I thought that was what you wanted too.’

  Kate took a deep breath to get herself under control. ‘It’s none of your business.’

  ‘They are in Peter’s parish.’

  ‘So?’

  ‘He has a duty of care, surely.’

  ‘He has a duty not to interfere in what doesn’t concern him. Craddock will go ballistic.’

  ‘Craddock Fitch’s temper, in the circumstances, has nothing to do with it. That cottage is a disgrace and well you know it. And there was I thinking you were
a woman of high moral principles. However, it’s too late now. Sorry if this has upset you, but something needed to be done.’

  ‘I just wish you’d consulted me first.’

  ‘Would you have told me not to do it?’

  Kate had to think for a moment. Would she? Yes, she . . . No. ‘I might have asked for a little more time to work it out from my side.’

  ‘Hmm. Well, I’ve done it now and I’m sure you’ll agree I was right when you’ve had time to think about it. Sorry. Bye.’

  Kate replaced the receiver and put her head in her hands while she thought about the consequences of Caroline’s actions. She’d have to tell Craddock, even though it might be weeks before action was taken. Hell’s bells. Had she changed sides? She fervently hoped not. But she knew, deep down, she must have done.

  Chapter 7

  Maggie had organized her cottage living room for the dinner ladies’ seance and was sitting before the fire, readying herself for her big moment. She’d give them a thing or two to think about and not half. Then she remembered she had to shut the cat out, and got to her feet to look for her. But Tabitha was nowhere to be found. Drat. Maggie even looked under the bed but she wasn’t there. Blast it. If she appeared and gave someone a fright just at the wrong moment she’d wring its neck. But a woman who dealt in the occult needed a black cat for authenticity.

  There was a soft knock at the door and when Maggie answered it she saw that the woman had parked her car right outside the house.

  ‘Move that car, we don’t want people getting curious. Please.’ It was Mealy Mouth and Maggie suddenly wished they hadn’t turned up after all.

  Eventually, when the cars were parked to her satisfaction and the curtains were drawn and the lights out except for the fire and the table lamp they joined hands, Maggie settled down and began going into a trance. With their five-pound notes carefully stuffed into Dave’s fairground jug, she knew they’d expect their money’s worth, so she began rolling her head from side to side, and the fun began.