Scandal at Six(34)

She asked which particular beans he wanted kept secret, and then he had turned nasty, ordering her, more or less, not to joke about a very serious situation. He had said she knew very well which particular confidential matters he referred to, concerning the trade with the small animals, and added that if it came to his notice that she had made one more stupid move, as with the snake and the keeper, the gun would be a real one, and the maid’s room would be replaced by another, much more unpleasant.

Then he had forced her to drink a couple of glasses of wine, demanded her cooperation upstairs in comfort, and finally changed into his suave, charming self and seen her to her car, still parked by the zoo.

It was a long time before she went to sleep. She wondered if Ted would eventually get fed up with Pettison, and break off all business relations with him, and that would include her. She saw that this was extremely unlikely, and found herself snivelling into her pillow and wishing Robert Pettison was dead.



*



Next morning, the sun shone brightly into the kitchen at Meade House, where Lois and Derek, with Gran officiating, were finishing their breakfast.

“I’m going to ring Cowgill,” Lois said. “It’s time they did something about those zoo animals. Poor old Dot sounded quite worried last night. You know she turns most things into a joke, but one of these days, another person is going to be bitten, and end up in hospital. If it’s fatal, like it most probably could have been with that Richardson woman, perhaps that’ll get them going. Anyway, Derek, are you home for lunch? If Cowgill says the zoo is open again, I might make an appointment to see Pettison about Dot cleaning at the hall.”

“You must be mad,” said Derek. “After all the rumpus that’s gone on there?” He sighed. “I suppose it’s no good ordering you to use your common sense, is it?”

“I am using it,” she said, “and I’m not mad. I shall make doubly sure that Dot will be okay, and anyway, I’m not putting pressure on her. She’s the enthusiastic one.”

Gran had said nothing, but her lips were clamped together in disapproval. Now she banged the frying pan down on the draining board, and said she didn’t know what her late husband would have said. “Your dad was the only one you took notice of, Lois Weedon. He must be turning in his grave.”

“Sorry, Mum,” Lois said. She knew that when Gran used her maiden name, she was really serious. “I’ll make sure Cowgill knows when Dot starts there, if she does. And then Dot can make the decision whether or not to stay. I know I am responsible for her, but I do respect her and her ability to look after herself. If she decides to give it a go, I shall be right behind her.”

“I hope not!” said Derek. “One of you up there at Cameroon Hall is more than enough. You stay right here, Lois, else I’ll tie you to the table leg.”

For once, Lois couldn’t think of any reply, and went off to her office to phone Cowgill.

“Good morning, Lois! Lovely to hear from you.” He had been sitting glumly at his desk, staring out at the sheets of rain falling on the streets of Tresham. A golf fixture this morning had been cancelled, and he was disappointed, having looked forward to lowering his handicap. Lois’s voice had been exactly what was needed to lift his spirits.

“Morning, Cowgill,” she said briskly. “What news to report?”

“Um, about what, my dear?”

“The zoo business. I’ll fill you in on the latest from this end. Shall I come in and tell you personally, or will you pay my telephone bill?”

“Both! But you know you will never accept any payment from us here. And, yes, it would be best if you came in. About half past ten this morning? I do have one or two more items to report to you.”

Almost immediately after she had ended the call, Lois’s phone rang, and she picked it up again.

“Mrs M? It’s Dot here. Just thought you’d like to know that the scarlet woman returned home late last night. Very stroppy, and more or less told me to mind my own business. Old Ted didn’t even meet her at the door, so I expect she got a rocket. Anyway, I’m off now to my Waltonby job. Bye.”



*



At half past ten precisely, Lois walked into the tresham police station, and said she had an appointment with Inspector Cowgill.

The young policeman jumped to attention, and with a knowing smile accompanied her to the lift.

Cowgill was waiting as she came out, and walked with her to his office. “I’m really glad you came in this morning, Lois,” he said. “There’s been an important development, and I need your help.”

“So what’s happened?” Lois said, as she sat down opposite him at his desk. “Found a scorpion in your coffee cup?”