Lois Meade 03: Weeping on Wednesday (1987) (18 page)

“Meeting go all right?” said Gran. She could see that Lois was distracted.

“Yeah, fine, except for Hazel telling us a nasty piece of gossip from Waltonby.” Lois did not elaborate.

“Villages are rife with it.”

“Yep.”

“Don’t you want to know why I said that?” Gran was irritated by the monosyllabic Lois.

“Oh, all right. Why did you say that?”

“Well,” said Gran, settling in her chair, “at the WI meeting last night I heard a little tit-bit that might interest you. It was a group meeting, with other Wis in the district.” Suddenly Lois was concentrating.

Gran warmed to her task. “There was this woman, secretary of the Round Ringford lot. Miss Beasley, or Beastly, or something. I heard her talking to our president…”

“Ooh la!” interrupted Lois, smiling, “it’s ‘
our
president’ already?”

“Be quiet, Lois,” said Gran. “Let me finish. There was this Miss Whatever, and she was asking about the cleaning service in our village. Said she’d heard about it, and was it true that Enid Abraham was working for it?”

Lois’s heart sank. Snippets of suspicion about Enid were piling up. But suspicion of what? Most of it seemed to be about brother Edward. She’d heard nothing bad about Enid herself. There was that hint from Cowgill that she might be involved in Edward’s disappearance, but he’d had nothing to go on. “What did she say about Enid?”

“I couldn’t hear much, as I was being introduced to some other woman, but I did catch Miss Beastly’s voice saying, ‘If you ask me, they should put them both behind bars, unpleasant pair. That’s twins for you’. That was a surprise, Lois. Enid’s never mentioned she’s a twin.” Gran got up then, and began to clear the table.

“She’s not,” said Lois, “she told me. But it’s odd that I heard that from Bridie, too.”

“Well, twin or not, she’s a very nice woman, and I count her as a friend.” Gran began to stack plates in the dishwasher with a clatter, as if to bring an end to the subject, and Lois took herself off to her office to make some notes. She’d better have a word with Hazel this afternoon. And Enid would be coming to give Jamie his piano lesson tomorrow. There should be an opportunity then to see what else she could discover.

§

Bridie was at home when Lois arrived, but Hazel was still over at Mrs Jordan’s on the new estate.

“That job’s a doddle,” Bridie said. “House as clean as a new pin, and nothing out of place, before Hazel starts! Not like our muddly old vicar…Have you got time for a cup of tea, Lois?”

As the purpose of Lois’s visit was to see Hazel, she said yes and sat down to wait.

“You know you said Enid was a twin,” she said to Bridie, who was busying herself with mugs and tea bags, pleased that Lois was staying for a gossip. They had been good friends ever since school, but now Lois was her boss, there was a slight reserve between them.

Bridie never knew quite how much she could, or should, say. Like the others, she was puzzled by Enid Abraham. She did not exactly dislike her, but found her distant…though always pleasant. Bridie supposed it was because she seemed so superior, with her previous jobs and her piano playing. None of them could quite work out why Enid had taken to cleaning. But then, come to that, why had Bill? Because he wanted to, he said frequently, and that was good enough, surely.

“Yep, I know I said it, but I’m not sure. They were just very close, like I told you.” Bridie handed Lois her mug of tea and sat down opposite her. “Why? Is it important?”

“Dunno,” said Lois. “Enid seems to be a bit of a mystery. Mum heard someone at the WI last night saying she and her brother should be locked up…Well, for God’s sake, why?”

“Ah,” said Bridie, and then stopped.

“Go on,” Lois said.

“Well, um, you know you always say New Brooms shouldn’t gossip, so I’m not sure if I should say…”

“I’m sure,” said Lois firmly. “It could be important, Bridie. Was it something that happened in the past?”

Bridie nodded. “There was a kind of scandal, about ten years ago. Something to do with swindling a shop in Tresham. It was him, the brother. He used Enid’s name somehow. I don’t quite know how it worked, but he juggled payments until he’d run up a huge bill. The police were involved eventually, but it was all hushed up at Cathanger. Now it looks as if the bugger is at it again. Gone missing, hasn’t he?”

“Who’s gone missing?” said Hazel, coming in breezily after a very untaxing afternoon’s work.

“Oh, you know, that chap from Cathanger,” said her mother, disappointed that her cosy chat with Lois had been interrupted. Once Hazel was back, no one got much of a chance of a quiet conversation.

“Oh, him,” said Hazel, “brother of our Enid. Yes, well, the longer he stays missing the better, from what I hear.”

“What have you heard, Hazel?” said Lois.

“He’s a villain. A small-time crook, according to the locals. And you’d do well to keep an eye on Enid. Me and Bill were talking, and agreed it’s just as well you don’t keep a lot of cash in your office.”

Lois stood up, furious. “Hazel! You deserve your cards for that! How dare you talk like that about one of your colleagues? It’s all just bloody gossip and tittle-tattle! Enid, poor sod, has enough to put up with, without people she thinks are her friends putting the boot in. If you or any of the others have got something to say about her, please say it to me. And, by the way, when have you and Bill been getting together to stir it up?”

Hazel stared at her. “What d’you mean?” she said. “Bill and me? That’s rubbish! He’s got Rebecca, and they’re really good together. If you really want to know, and I don’t see it’s any of your business, we had a drink when we met in the pub – and Rebecca was there too – and talked a bit about Enid, because we all think she’s a bit weird!”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” said Lois. “As an employee of New Brooms, she’s excellent, can’t be faulted. I get good reports all the time.”

“Bully for her,” said Hazel mutinously.

“And now I’m going. Thanks for the tea, Bridie. You can ring me when you’ve thought a bit, Hazel. I’m not sure an apology will be enough, but you can try.”

The door slammed behind her, and Bridie began to speak, but Hazel interrupted. “Leave it, Mum. I’ve got things to do.”

Bridie, left alone, sighed. Since her husband Dick died, she had found it a comfort having Hazel still at home. But if she left New Brooms she’d probably be off somewhere else, to college or to find another job. It would be lonely without her.

§

Lois was still steaming when she arrived home. The kids were back from school, and Jamie had gone straight to the piano to do his daily practice. As well as the exercises Enid had given him, he picked out familiar tunes, getting them right first time. Derek had listened and reluctantly agreed with Lois that the boy had a good ear. If he had the stamina to keep it up, maybe he’d go somewhere with it.

“Jamie! Tea’s ready!” Gran could see Lois was in a rage, and decided diplomatically to take over the children until she calmed down.

Jamie closed the piano lid and ran out to the kitchen, bumping straight into his mother in the doorway.

“For God’s sake, Jamie!” Lois said. “Look where you’re going!”

He grinned at her. “Sorry…but you want me to practise, don’t you? And it’s my lesson tomorrow. Miss Abraham’ll be cross if I haven’t practised. ‘Cept she’s not like that, is she. Really cool, for an old woman.”

His grin had its usual effect on Lois, and she ruffled his hair. “Good lad,” she said. “I’m glad Enid has one fan, at least.”

J
amie was ready for Enid Abraham ten minutes before she was due, and he sat playing his scale, up and down, over and over again. He heard the telephone, but didn’t get up. It’d be one of Mum’s cleaners. He began to pick out his favourite tune, and attempted a few notes that sounded OK in the left hand.

The door opened, and Lois came in. “Jamie, that was Enid. Seems she’s stuck. A tyre’s blown, and her dad’s gone out in the truck. He’ll see to the tyre when he gets back, but it won’t be until later. She’s really sorry, and says she’ll give you a lesson another day. We’ll fix it tomorrow. Sorry, love.”

Jamie’s face fell. “Oh, Mum! I was all ready for her…” He followed Lois into the kitchen.

“Never mind,” she said. “Have something to eat, then you can get on with your homework.”

“Great! Just what I was hoping for…an early start on my homework…”

“No need to be cheeky,” said Gran quietly. “Here, I made this cake this afternoon. Try it…might sweeten you up.”

§

Jamie finished his homework and sat staring out of the window at the road, where the light was slowly going. He was fed up. All week he’d been looking forward to another piano lesson. Couldn’t Miss Abraham change the tyre herself? He thought of her small, clean hands and thought probably not. Come to that, why hadn’t she said he could go to Cathanger instead? He could easily bike over, and would be no trouble. That dopey old mother of Miss Abraham wouldn’t object to one boy playing the piano very quietly, surely? He looked at his watch. Not much time before it got dark, but he’d got lights on his bike. He could be back before anyone noticed.

He stood up, tidied his homework and went quietly downstairs into the living-room to collect his piano book. He opened the front door gently and slipped out. No one saw him go. Josie and Douglas were buried in homework, Derek was not home yet, and Lois and Gran were busy in the kitchen.

There was very little traffic on the country road to Waltonby, and Jamie went fast, happy to be released and sure that, after all, he’d get his lesson and be able to get on to the next stage. Just before he reached the tunnel of trees by Cathanger Mill, he realized it was nearly dark, and got off to switch on his lights. Before he remounted, he heard a voice and saw a girl coming towards him, leading a Labrador puppy. It hadn’t quite got the hang of going for a walk, and was jumping about all over the place.

“That’s a nice dog,” he said, and the girl smiled.

“Yes, isn’t he sweet one?” she said, and Jamie realized she was foreign.

Must be that au pair girl Mum had mentioned. Anna, was that her name? “I’m Jamie Meade,” he said. “I think my mum’s lady comes to clean your house?”

“Of course,” said Anna. “Miss Abraham comes. Rosie – Mrs Charrington – thinks she’s so good, but I think she is a…a…”

“I like her,” said Jamie stoutly. “I’m goin’ there to have a piano lesson. She usually comes to us, but her car got a flat tyre, so I’ve biked over.”

“To the mill?” Anna seemed surprised.

“Yep,” said Jamie, getting back on his bike. “Better get goin’, else it’ll be too late. Bye!”

Anna stared at his retreating back and shrugged. She knew nobody went inside the mill except the Abraham family. Ah well, maybe the old woman had changed her mind. She untangled the puppy’s lead and went on her way, dreaming about a student she’d met at her English classes. She forgot all about Jamie Meade.

The track down to the mill nearly threw Jamie off his bike several times, but finally he came to the yard. It was almost empty and silent except for the occasional lowing from the cow shed. He couldn’t see any life in the house, and two of the windows had curtains drawn tightly already. Right, fine, he’d knock at the door and Enid would be pleased to see him.

Several minutes passed, and he saw a curtain drawn back a fraction. Another shiver caused Jamie to step back. Better give up and go home, he thought. As he turned to go, he heard the door creak open.

“What do you want?” a gruff voice said.

“Is Miss Abraham there?” said Jamie, and heard his own voice tremble.

“Not sure,” said the man. “What do you want her for? We don’t like kids coming down here…”

He began to close the door, and Jamie said quickly, “She teaches me piano. I’ve come for a lesson…she had a flat tyre and couldn’t come to us in Farnden…”

Then he heard Enid’s voice calling out from behind the man. “Who is it, Father?”

“Some kid says he’s come for a piano lesson. Must’ve got the wrong house. Best be off now,” he added to Jamie, and the door once more began to close.

“It’s Jamie!” said Enid’s voice, and then she was there at the door, pushing past her father. “Who told you to come here? You know we don’t have visitors, Jamie,” she said, and her voice was kind, trying to be normal and pleasant.

“Nobody told me. I decided,” said Jamie. “I was fed up you couldn’t make it, so I biked over. I’ve got lights,” he added helpfully.

“Get rid of him, Enid,” her father said, “else you know there’ll be big trouble.”

But Enid shook her head. She smiled crookedly, not her usual smile, and put out her hand. “Never mind, Jamie,” she said, “now you’re here, you’d better come in. Come along, follow me.” She took his hand and drew him inside. The door shut behind them, and he heard bolts being pushed into place. Suddenly, he wished he hadn’t come. He wished he was back home with Mum and Gran in the warm kitchen, where there was plenty of light and the smell of supper cooking, and he was safe.

“D
oes your mother know you’ve come?” It was the first thing Enid had said to Jamie since leading him through a silent kitchen, where cats were curled up on the rag rug in front of the fire, closed-up balls of fur, and a sheep dog growled and bared its teeth at him.

“Um, yes,” he said. “But perhaps I’d better not stay. That man said – ”

“Oh, don’t take any notice of him,” said Enid. “That’s my father, and his bark’s much worse than his bite.” She led him through into a dark hallway, and he almost tripped over a tray of dirty dishes left on the floor outside a closed door. “Oops!” said Enid gaily. “That’s my mother’s. She likes to eat on her own…well, do everything on her own, really. She puts her tray out for us to collect.” She bent down, picked it up and put it on a side table. Then she opened another door on the opposite side of the hallway and said, “Come on in, Jamie, we can make a start.”

It was the dining-room, Jamie supposed. A harsh overhead light shone on a large oval table, highly polished, with a vase of artificial flowers set on a lace mat, exactly in the centre. Six chairs were neatly placed around it, and at the side were silver candlesticks and covered dishes on a massive carved sideboard.