A Crowded Coffin(9)

She whirled round and confronted the unsuspecting Rory, sudden angry tears of frustration welling up. ‘You don’t see, do you? You think I’m just being selfish because I’ll have to work my butt off, and so will you, by the way. But it’s not that. It’s them, Gran and Grandpa. They’ll kill themselves and all for a …’ she caught herself up as her grandfather looked at her, ‘all for a wretched party.’ She turned away, struggling to drag a tissue out of her pocket and the old man’s disapproving look turned to affection as she mopped up her tears.

‘It’s in the Bible, darling,’ he said. ‘Remember? And the greatest of these is charity. I know it’s hard for you, Edith,’ he stroked her head as she knelt beside him. ‘But you have to let old people kill themselves in their own way. Your grandmother is determined to have this party because it’s one of our long-standing traditions. Besides, it will take her mind off this “accident” of mine.’

He looked over the bent blonde head and smiled at Rory. ‘My dear boy, I’m forgetting my manners. It’s delightful to see you again. Are you settling in comfortably? I’m afraid Edith is certainly correct on one score: you will have to work to help get this dinner under way and I’ll be relying on you to stop Edith and my wife from wearing themselves into the ground. I shan’t be good for much.’ He smiled ruefully as Rory shook hands. ‘I’m afraid this will give you a very odd idea of us, but as it’s all in the family, perhaps you should consider yourself thoroughly adopted.’

Rory looked touched and flattered as he smiled. ‘I’d like to be adopted, thank you, sir. But as for keeping Edith and Mrs Attlin in check, I’m not sure I’m strong enough to argue with them.’

Edith began to smile but paused at the old man’s response. ‘I’d almost forgotten. Don’t overdo things, will you. If only from a purely selfish point of view we don’t want anyone else crocking up.’

Ignoring Rory’s protest, ‘But that’s not what I meant at all—’ Mr Attlin looked over his shoulder at Edith.

‘Any chance of a cup of tea? It’s like being in prison round here so I know better than to ask for a slug of whisky, even for medicinal purposes.’

Edith had been looking at Rory through narrowed eyes, wondering about her grandfather’s remark and Rory’s sudden flush of embarrassment, but the old man’s cunning ploy distracted her and she headed downstairs. A backward glance showed Rory sitting down, talking earnestly to her grandfather, who was nodding agreement. To her astonishment she saw him clap a hand to the younger man’s shoulder.

The kitchen was empty and just as Edith was waiting for the kettle to boil the phone rang. It was Karen.

‘Edith? Oh good, I’m glad it’s you. I had to nip over to Sainsbury’s but I’ve got a flat tyre so I’ll be a while yet. There’s a list of jobs on the dresser; any chance you could make a start on them? My husband will probably be back before me, but there’s still a lot you could do to help, if you wouldn’t mind.’

Back upstairs, Edith found her grandfather settled in bed looking weary, with Rory finishing his unpacking and plumping pillows. They both looked up at her entrance.

‘Your grandmother not awake yet?’ The old man relaxed and sipped his tea. ‘That’s good, I’d rather she had a real rest; she’s not been sleeping too well at night.’

Rory picked up his own mug of tea and followed Edith from the room. ‘I think he’ll drop off now,’ he murmured. ‘He’s a lot more tired than he’s letting on.’ He closed the door gently behind him.

Touched by his perception she nodded, leading the way downstairs. ‘I know, he has to be strong for Gran, and she has to keep going for him.’ She shivered at the thought that her grandfather might have been killed the other night, instead of escaping with only shock and a broken collarbone. If he’d been attacked … if he hadn’t imagined the whole thing…. And Rory, however charming and pleasant he might seem, had been in the area at the time. She shivered. Did Rory, whose face was so achingly familiar, did he have a hidden motive in moving to Locksley Farm Place?

At the foot of the oak staircase Edith stopped so suddenly that Rory, just behind her, cannoned into her, only just managing to right them both.

Elvis Presley was fiddling with the switch on an electric floor polisher. When he heard them scuffling he looked up, pushed his quiff out of his eyes and gave them a shy smile.





chapter two





Harriet Quigley looked thoughtful as she shoved her porridge into the microwave and laid the kitchen table for her breakfast. Yesterday evening had been interesting, to say the least, she mused.