Three Little Maids(64)

‘Thank you. I’ll be pleased to accept. If it’s no trouble.’

‘Not at all. Sara likes to have company. She’s just coming down.’

‘So what do you want me to tell you about Raymond?’ Sara Welbeck smiled at her as Roger poured out the wine into Viviane`s glass.

‘Do you think his work is good? And why hasn’t he been given the chance to take a place at the Art college?’

Sara sighed. ‘This past year I’ve been trying to get the boy to do something about it. I recognized his talents. But getting Mrs Perkins to see that he should be thinking of higher things than a job in an undertakers has been a difficult task. He needs to earn a living, she says. Not to muck about with messy paints and charcoal.’

A chuckle escaped Roger Welbeck but he didn’t interrupt. ‘And Raymond takes notice of her. Give him his due he does take the job at Carey’s seriously. The main attraction at first could have been Maureen. But he’s painstaking in anything he takes on. Are you thinking he could be a murder suspect?’ she asked unexpectedly.

‘Do you think, knowing him as well as you do, that he’s capable of murder?’

Sara thought for a moment as she sipped her wine. ‘He’s a complex character, that’s for sure. Difficult to get to know at first. He has a defensive barrier he puts up when questioned. I think he’s embarrassed by his own talents.’

‘I see...’

‘But I can tell you this much, Mrs Sherlborne, June Perkins spoke to Aiden Ludlam about Raymond’s prospects in the Art world. She showed him some of Raymond’s work. And Aiden agreed with me that the boy was talented. But he felt he should keep his feet firmly on the ground. He might not be able to cope. Aiden was responsible for getting Raymond the job with Carey’s.

‘I think Mrs Perkins was afraid that Raymond would get into trouble if he did go to Art school and become a drop out. She has always been so strict with him. And he has always been rather young for his age. Difficult to teach at school according to his school reports. Low marks in Maths, English and the basics. But high in Art. Which didn’t impress his grandmother or prospective employers.’

Viviane listened and felt sorry for Raymond. She could understand that his grandmother didn’t appreciate him having a gift that could disrupt his life so radically. But he might have been given the chance to use it. Now his life was in jeopardy because everything pointed to him as the killer. And as the facts up built up against Raymond she hoped that he would have professional help and advice.





48




‘I would like to see Inspector Kent. Or Sergeant Turner, please. It’s important.’

‘And your name, Miss?’

‘Mrs Flitch.’

‘If you would like to wait here, Mrs Flitch, I’ll see if the Inspector’s available.’

Kathy Flitch wasn`t certain if she was doing the right thing. She had thought it over well for some time. Raymond had never seemed that bad a boy. Not wicked enough to commit murder. But it was up to the Inspector to use the information as he deemed it.

‘Mrs Flitch. Thank you for coming in to see me. I’m glad you took me up on my suggestion. I take it that you wish to supply some information on the case. So can you throw any fresh light on that Sunday night?’

‘Well, yes. But it’s not directly about what happened on that evening.’ She sat down carefully on the chair offered, the short skirt of her strawberry pink sheath dress showing off her well-shaped legs and ankles.

‘It concerns Raymond Perkins, Inspector. I think that it is something you ought to know. It might mean nothing. But it’s been on my mind ever since you came to see me last week.’ She smiled. ‘Although I don’t like to think that I’m wasting your time.’

‘Fire away. I’ll tell you soon enough if it is of any importance or not.’

‘Six years ago, I used to live next door to the Perkins. Before my dad died and I went to live at my present address. Raymond was about twelve going on thirteen then. And June was finding him a real handful. Rebellious and damn awkward. He was still taking off on trips to London on every opportunity to find his Mum. Never made it of course. He was-is very fond of his grandmother.’ Kent nodded. ‘I am coming to it, Inspector.’

She fidgeted with her purse in her lap. ‘If you like to smoke feel free, Mrs Flitch.’ He pushed over an ashtray and leaned back in his chair to listen.’ One week to go before it’s banned in here.’

‘Thanks.’ She took out a cigarette and lit it with her lighter. She drew in on it and relaxed visibly.’ That’s better. A bad habit. But as it’s banned soon. I’m not going to enjoy telling you this.’ She hesitated. ‘Well, I started to lose washing off the line. My undies...’