Scandal at Six(77)

“I fell over,” she said. “Nothing much. It’ll soon mend.”

“Meanwhile,” said Gran sternly, “you’ll sit there while I get some stuff from the bathroom to clean you up. Derek, don’t let her move.”

“You okay, me duck?” said Derek.

“Not really,” whispered Lois. “Didn’t want to alarm Mum. I really did just fall over up at Cameroon Hall, and hit my head on a stone step.”

“What were you doing there?”

“Making notes for Dot for tomorrow. The floor was slippery in the kitchen. I feel a right fool. I’d been talking to Justin Brookes, and he told me some interesting details about his father and Pettison. It’s all a bit fuzzy at the moment, but I expect it’ll come clearer.”

“You’re not a fool, not you, my love. But I expect you were in a hurry, as usual. You are much later than we expected.”

“I think I was out cold for a bit. Then I came to, and took my time until it was safe to drive. Poor old Justin must have been very worried. I suppose I should have waited before driving off, but he’d gone to lock up, and I wanted to get home as quickly as possible. I think he’d rung for an ambulance. Don’t know what happened to that. Derek, could you put the kettle on? I’m dying for a hot drink.”

Gran arrived back in the kitchen, armed with the first aid box and clean towels. “Now then, young lady,” she said, “let’s get you cleaned up. Derek, you go and light the fire in the sitting room, and when I’ve finished, we’ll help Lois in there to watch television for a bit. There’s a good antiques auction programme. And there you will stay, Lois Weedon, until it’s supper time. Orders, my lady.”

By the time Gran had finished and Lois was safely tucked up in a rug on the sofa, she acquiesced gratefully. She was feeling dizzy again after walking through the hall, and leaned back against the cushions, closing her eyes. “Might have a little sleep,” she said. “Put the telly on, and then I’ll have something to look at if I wake.”

Derek and Gran left quietly, and said they would be in the kitchen, if she needed any help. “Now then,” said Gran, as she made a cup of tea for the two of them, “do you think we had the whole truth?”

Derek shook his head. “Lois wouldn’t lie to us, but she is very good at editing what really happened. It wouldn’t have taken that long to make a few notes, would it? The interesting things Justin told her must have been quite important.”

At that moment, a figure passed the window, and Gran went to open the door.

“Hello, Mrs Weedon. I wonder if Lois is at home?” It was Mrs Tollervey-Jones, and Gran drew herself up straight.

“She is, but she’s having a rest. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“Well, maybe you can, but perhaps I could come into your warm kitchen for a moment. It is very cold standing here.”

Derek came up behind Gran, and said of course she must come in. “We’re having a cuppa. Would you like one?”

“Thank you so much. That would be lovely. I can warm my hands round the cup.”

Gran was looking daggers at Derek. She did not hold with Mrs T-J. She was now unofficial assistant to Lois in her foolish ferretin’, and encouraged her to take on dangerous missions.

“The thing is,” the old lady said, “I think I recognised the man who stole the silver. I was in the cattle market in Tresham. I go there most weeks. I love to look at the cattle and sheep, you know. The thing I most miss after selling up the estate. I used to visit our farms, and have talks with the tenants. Looked round the herds and helped out when the vet arrived. So now I just go and stare at the beautiful animals and meet old friends.”

“And the burglar?” said Gran.

“Well, he was near the auctioneer, so I could see him clearly. He was with another man, and I could swear he was the new tenant at Josie’s shop flat. Young, fair-haired. Very nice looking. You couldn’t miss him, really. He stood out among all the beady-eyed farmers and stockmen.”

“Well, I suppose it could have been him,” Derek said. “We don’t know much about him, but he claims to be an actor/businessman in Tresham. Don’t know what kind of business, but it could be connected with his uncle’s zoo. He kept some rare animals in our back shed. Strange fellow.”

“There’s a lot that’s strange about him, if you ask me,” Gran said. “Deals in rare animals, I reckon. Like Derek said, he kept a couple in Josie’s shed. Could explain him being at the market. Maybe does his dodgy deals there.”