Scandal at Six(36)

She arrived at the front portico, and once more Pettison was standing outside, waiting to greet her.

“Good morning! I hope you are bringing me good news? Come along in, Mrs Meade.”

“Thank you,” said Lois politely. “As for bringing you good news, I hope we may be able to help you in the house.”

They settled in his office, and Lois started the conversation by saying how sorry she was to hear the terrible story of the keeper found dead in the reptile house. “Coming on top of the accident with poor Mrs Richardson?” she said.

“She is fortunately recovering well. But no, the keeper was a brave fellow, Mrs Meade. I am afraid he was foolhardy, too. Countless times I have had to warn him about being overfriendly with a king cobra. No other keeper is willing to go near it, but he would enter the cage and let it get really close to him, sometimes stroking its neck. He was always very calm and quiet with it, and I believe it trusted him.”

“So why did it suddenly turn nasty?” Lois was beginning to feel decidedly queasy. She had had just about enough of snakes.

“We don’t know. Something must have frightened it, or him, or he could have forgotten to remain vigilant. A man is no match for a snake of that sort, once it is on the attack.”

“But you’d have thought he’d be extra vigilant, after the chimp attack on Mrs Richardson. Anyway, have they been put down, put to sleep, or whatever it is we say? They are clearly a danger to every person who goes into the zoo.”

“Not at all. We have very strong security for our visitors. I am afraid it was human error on the part of my keeper. I myself deal with the snakes from time to time, and I am very careful indeed. There is no possibility of visitors being harmed.”

“Right, well, we’d better talk about cleaning. I have decided we can take you on as a client of New Brooms, and a very responsible and reliable member of my team, Dot Nimmo, has agreed to do the work.”

“Nimmo? Not old Handy Nimmo’s wife?”

“She is the widow of Handel Nimmo, yes.”

“Well, I’m blowed! Old Handy! One of the best, he was. I’ll be very glad to have her working here. We can talk about old times.”

“Not too much talking, I hope,” said Lois severely. “I expect my girls to work steadily for the time they are allotted, with a break for coffee or tea, but not gossip of any kind, Mr Pettison.” A forlorn hope, she said to herself. But that’s why I’m sending in Dot, to keep her eyes and ears open.

They then discussed hours and rates of pay, and Pettison confirmed everything as being wonderful, and then Lois said she would be going, as she had other potential clients to see.

“Do you ever do the cleaning work yourself, Mrs Meade? Sometimes I need an emergency blitz on the house at times other than when Dot will be here.”

“I can assure you that Mrs Nimmo will never leave a house in a state needing a blitz, Mr Pettison. But if you require extra help, I am sure we can cooperate. Good morning.”

Evil old sod, she said to herself as she went off to collect her car and return home. I must remember to wear trousers next time I have to go there. As for Dot, thank goodness she would have drastic remedies for disabling him if he tries any tricks on her!

At the gate, she met Cowgill about to go in.

“How did it go?” he said.

“Fine. I must say he sounded very reasonable.”

“Just make sure that if Dot is off sick, you choose carefully who you send instead.”

She looked at him, and said lightly that she herself always filled in at such times.

“Lois! Don’t—”

“Excuse me,” said a belligerent father of four small boys, “but is there any chance I can get into this place? Perhaps you two could make up your minds whether you are going in or out. Thank you.” He hustled his boys through, and Lois set off for her car. Cowgill walked towards the hall, looking thoughtful.

Before going home, Lois decided to call on Dot to see if she was back from her morning job. She would break the news to her, and watch her reaction.



*



“So when do I start, Mrs M?” Dot had opened the door and spoken before Lois had a chance to begin.

“Tomorrow, if you’re sure, Dot. Mr Pettison seemed very pleased to hear it would be you going to clean for him.”

“You can leave me to it with a quiet mind, Mrs M. He was an old friend, or should I say colleague, of Handy. Public school, a degree from Oxford, so he says, though some doubted that. He was one of them charmers who could turn nasty in a second if something didn’t please him. Don’t worry, I shall be fine. Handy taught me a thing or two about self-defence.” She laughed, and asked Lois if she would like a ham sandwich. “Fresh from the deli, Mrs M?”