Heirs of the Body(61)

“The child was lucky to avoid severe injury,” said Laurette. “I cannot think it advisable to allow young ladies to ride. Girls are fragile creatures, not like boys.”

“It’s to be hoped she won’t suffer any delayed consequences,” Vincent put in. “The symptoms of a concussion sometimes develop later, and I once knew a man to break his neck in an accident and go about his usual business for three days before he collapsed.”

“Nonsense,” said Geraldine briskly. “Dr. Hopcroft examined her at once and he’s quite satisfied that there’s nothing seriously amiss. We have always found him most reliable. In fact, Vincent, I wish you would see him. When you came in, I noticed you’re still limping badly.”

Vincent waved this away. “Bruises, merely. I’ve been applying your housekeeper’s herbal ointment, as you suggested, and it’s working wonders. Laurette has obtained the recipe from her. You’re using it for Belinda?” he asked Daisy.

“Yes. Apparently it eased her aches enough for her to go off to the river with the boys.” Daisy wondered whether she had been a negligent mother, not for letting Bel ride the donkey but for not keeping a closer eye on her since the fall.

“Edgar had the skiff thoroughly overhauled,” said Geraldine. “Have they taken it out?”

“I expect so.”

“Ben said the others promised to teach him to row.” Frank had been pouring drinks. He handed Daisy and Martha theirs. “What’s your tipple?” he asked Vincent and Laurette.

“I hardly think it’s your place to act as host,” said Vincent sniffily.

“Just helping out.” Frank’s geniality was unimpaired.

“At my request,” Geraldine said. “But by all means take your turn, unless you’d rather wait for Edgar. He’s hunting for his butterfly net and may be late.”

“No doubt those naughty children have borrowed it to go fishing,” said Laurette with a thin smile as her husband went a trifle sulkily to get their drinks.

“They wouldn’t,” Daisy said. “Bel and Derek know how much he prizes it.”

“The other boy…” Laurette left the phrase hanging.

“If you’re implying that Ben would,” Frank sprang to his stepson’s defence, “I can tell you he’s not going to do anything the others wouldn’t. We know we’re out of our depth here, and I’ve made sure he understands he’s to follow their example. He’s a good lad.”

“Which is not to say they won’t ever lead him into mischief,” Daisy warned, “but not that particular mischief.”

“Boys will be boys,” said Geraldine tolerantly. “Besides, Derek knows perfectly well where the fishing equipment is kept. Do help yourselves to a drink,” she added as Alec and Raymond came in, thus putting an end to that particular cause for offence.

Edgar appeared at last, Lowecroft arriving moments later to announce dinner. Halfway through the meal, Ernest murmured to Daisy, as he offered her a dish of runner beans, “The young people have come in, madam.”

Much relieved, Daisy nodded and smiled her thanks. One less worry.

* * *

The storm broke in the middle of the night, with a huge, booming crash that sounded as if it were right overhead. Daisy sat bolt upright.

“Thunder,” Alec said sleepily.

“Oh, of course. For a moment I couldn’t think … I’d better close the window.”

The evening had been so hot that they were sleeping under just a sheet. The air coming in now was comparatively chilly. A few drops of rain spattered against the windowpanes, then it came suddenly slashing down, as if released by the thunderbolt. Having shut the window, Daisy returned to bed, pulled up the blankets, and settled in cosily under them. A drumroll of thunder sounded, but nothing like the crash that had wakened her. Alec was already fast asleep again. Policemen learnt to sleep through practically anything.

Anything other than an emergency. A battering at the door took Alec halfway across the room before Derek’s desperate cry made Daisy realise it was not just more thunder.

“Aunt Daisy! Aunt Daisy!”





NINETEEN





Daisy clicked on the bedside lamp and reached for her dressing gown as Alec opened the door.

“Calm down, Derek,” he said. “Come in. What’s the trouble?”

“It’s Ben, Uncle Alec. He tripped on the stairs and he’s knocked himself out. The stairs from the turret. His eyes are closed and he doesn’t answer or move and I think there’s blood in his hair. A tremendous bolt of lightning hit the turret and then there was a huge explosion and we thought we’d better get out.”