Three Little Maids(58)

Very vulnerable then to the charms of the preacher man, Kent thought. ‘You’re most probably right.’ He took along appreciative drink of his beer and relaxed back against the seat. ‘So how do you think I approach her as regards an alibi?’

‘An alibi? What does she need an alibi for?’

‘Her lover.’

‘Her lover! What on earth are you talking about, Jonathan Kent?’ she said laughing.

‘You heard.’

‘So she’s having an affair. Can you tell me who with? This is important?’

‘Right first time. And this is for your ears only. Aiden Ludlam’s her lover boy she’s been sharing her bed with - but he has not divulged the name of his lady friend as yet to us.’

‘Never! Aiden Ludlam! I don’t believe it!’ Viviane giggled and smiled. ‘Oh, perhaps I do. Frances is more than likely in seventh heaven that Aiden has singled her out for his favours. That is once she managed to dampen down her conscience. What will you do? Wait till he gives you her name? Or do you ask her tactfully if she does she have his company after the rehearsals?’

‘Don’t know yet. I should imagine he’ll be in touch with her soon.’

Viviane chuckled. ‘I still find it hard to believe. You have got a problem. You’ll have to be tactful, won’t you? I don’t know how I’d behave given the same situation.’ She finished her glass of wine. ‘Another beer?’ He nodded and handed over his glass.

‘Thanks.’

She came back with the drinks. ‘Tell her that there is no reason for her to be identified. It’s just to put Aiden in the clear during the investigations. I think you’ll find that she will agree to do this. She feels emancipated now that she’s having a life of her own. She looked after her invalid mother for over twenty years.’

‘Phew!’ Kent made a face. And took a long appreciative draught of his beer.

‘You only have to ask Turner’s wife Carole what she can tell you all about Sylvia. How she selfishly prevented her daughter from having any men friends or fun at all. There was one young man and a tentative engagement. Sylvia soon squashed any marriage plans for her daughter. So please do be careful. You’re treading on eggshells with her, Jon. Francis is a nice woman. I can’t see her as a marriage breaker though.’

‘Nuff said.’ He nodded. ‘I promise I’ll be careful.’

‘Wait! Just a moment. Don’t bring me into it. Whatever you do. You can say you’re making a guess at it. As Aiden Ludlam didn’t name her. And you’re keeping it highly confidential.’

He chuckled. ‘I hope that she is the only one he’s been sleeping with...’

She shook her head laughing. ‘You can’t be serious.’

‘What if there’s someone else who admits to having an affair with him? It’s possible with his kind of Casanova. He gets used to the women in the congregation swooning over him.’

‘No, I don’t think he’s that daft. He wouldn’t want to lose his calling in the chapel or his position as Headmaster and good name in the town. And his wealth comes from his wife remember. He must be concerned about that. Although he is thinking about Frances’s reputation. So that least speaks well of him. But a cheat he is - definitely.’

Jon relaxing with a can of beer in his hand fell silent for a moment. Viviane observing his features by the light from the garden lantern overhead noticed that they seemed keener and tauter than a few days before. The stress of his job had to pitch in somewhere. His long nose seemed more prominent. She wondered what he was really thinking. It wasn’t likely he would give away to her his true feelings about his days’ work.

‘So next question. Rather important. What about the wife? Do you know Mrs Ludlam well, Viviane?’

‘Gwynith? No, not really. She is pretty adept at keeping her private life private. Her father, Shelley Rayburn, was the Headmaster at the school that Aiden now runs. And so far Aiden has always kept her in the fashion that she has been used to...’

She took another sip of wine. ‘She supports him admirably at the chapel. I think she’s secretly pleased that he has the attention and adoration of the women chapel goers. He’s always presented a picture of a good father and family man. Well liked in most circles.

‘And now he has admitted to having a liaison with the chapel organist. This case is stirring up quite a bit of sludge in the lives of nearly all the men connected with the chapel, isn’t it? None of which would have been exposed if the girls had not been murdered. It makes you think.’

‘Yes it does.’ He rubbed his nose with forefinger and thumb thoughtfully for a moment, swung his feet over to the ground and said; ‘Time to call it a day. Thanks for the beer and your help, Viviane. You’re a friend in need. And boy - do I need one just now.’