Hetty returned to school. The head teacher’s absence made a complete hash of the school timetable. She’d better inform the Education Department in Culworth to see if they could send a teacher to help out. At the back of her mind there was a nagging feeling. This was so unlike Kate. Hetty wished wholeheartedly that Mr Palmer was still here. Those were the days. Still, she couldn’t deny him the happiness he’d found at last. His wedding to Suzy Meadows had been so beautiful … Maybe Kate was ill, Hetty thought suddenly. That was it! Too ill to get help. Oh dear. She hadn’t got a key, so she couldn’t get in.
Pat Duckett was just finishing in the kitchen when Hetty hurried back into school. ‘No message from Miss Pascoe is there, Pat?’
‘No, nothing. Funny she’s not here. You’d think she’d have let us know.’
‘Exactly. I think she must be ill and can’t let us know. If I had a key I’d go and find out.’
‘Look no further. I’ve still got one. Mr Palmer always let me keep one for him in case he lost his. Been meaning to give it to Ms Pascoe and never got round to it.’
‘Where is it?’
‘Safe at home. Too ’eavy to carry around.’
‘I must go and see to the children. Is it asking too much to suggest you go home and bring it back here?’
‘No sooner said than done.’
By the time Pat had cycled up to the Garden House and back again she was tired, but her curiosity urged her on to suggest Mrs Hardaker oughtn’t to go into the house by herself just in case.
‘You come with me then. It’s better if there’s two of us, just in case as you say.’
The decorations inside the school-house appalled Pat. It felt decadent. It was decadent. Give her a nice light emulsion and some chintzy curtains any time. This was a nightmare. There’d been two deaths on school premises, Toria Clark’s and Mr Palmer’s wife before that. Was this to be the third? She shuddered.
There was nothing and no one downstairs so Hetty called up: ‘Kate! Kate!’ Still no reply.
Nervously, she climbed the stairs with Pat close behind. The bed in the little bedroom hadn’t been slept in. There was no sign of habitation except for a pair of black velvet slippers under the bedside table, and a book laid on the bedspread, which was dyed the deepest purple Pat had ever seen. Good grief! She’d never sleep a wink under that thing.
Then Hetty looked in that awkward corner under the eaves. There was an object shrouded beneath a black cloth. Two black candles stood sentinel either side. She whisked the cloth off and found a crystal ball.
Pat blanched. ‘Lord help us! She’s a witch.’
Hetty snapped her reply. ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Pat.’ Despite her anger at Pat’s remark she covered the ball with the cloth and went down the stairs much faster than she had gone up them.
They stood at the bottom of the staircase looking at each other.
Hetty said, ‘It’s not a criminal offence.’
Pat trembled. ‘The cat – where’s the blasted cat?’
‘I’ve always hated that cat.’
‘Unnatural it is. I don’t fancy finding it.’
‘Neither do I. Where is she though?’
‘I’ve just had a thought.’ Pat raced outside. ‘Look – her car’s not here.’
Classes Two and Three had just gone out for their morning play when Kate’s car drove into the school playground. Hetty ushered the children to one side whilst Kate parked it beside the school-house.
‘Miss Pascoe! Thank goodness you’re all right. Where have you been? We’ve been so worried.’
In answer to Hetty’s questions Kate reached into the car and carefully lifted out a wire cat-carrier. Cat was inside. The animal had a wide bandage all the way round her middle, and looked much the worse for wear.
‘Oh dear, I am sorry. Whatever happened?’
‘A coal flew out of the fire and burnt Cat before she could get out of the way. It’s a terrible burn and I had to take her to the vet’s in Culworth. I’ve been so upset.’ And indeed, the head teacher looked strained and hollow-eyed. ‘They took ages attending to her. I’m sorry I didn’t let you know but it’s been terrible. I’ve been up all night with her. They wanted to keep her in but I insisted on bringing her home.’
The children pressed round to see the horrific injuries and were quite disappointed that the bandage prevented it.
‘Oh! Ms Pascoe!’
‘Ohhhh! How awful!’
‘Awww. The poor thing!’
‘It must hurt!’
Kate unlocked her door and said, ‘Mrs Hardaker, I’ll be in school by the end of playtime. I’ll just grab something to eat and then I’ll come.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Of course I am. I can’t leave you holding the fort.’
Hetty had to admire her, but at the same time … Crystal balls? What was the teaching profession coming to! At dinnertime when Pat came back she’d have to warn her not to let Kate know that they’d been in the house. At all costs Kate must never find out. It would put their working relationship, already somewhat tetchy, on such a precarious footing if Kate knew she’d seen the … well, not to put too fine a point on it … the altar.
Ralph had rung Peter at nine o’clock that morning to ask if he would be free to see him.
‘Of course, if you come in about half an hour. After that I have various appointments which I can’t ditch.’
‘That will be absolutely fine, Peter.’
‘Good, see you then.’
They settled down to talk in the study. Peter said, ‘Before you tell me what you’ve come to discuss, can I say the builders have given me the quote for pointing the church tower and replacing any necessary masonry. When it’s been agreed, they’ll go ahead as soon as the weather improves.’
‘Good – not before time. Can’t have the tower falling down. Stitch in time et cetera.’
Ralph mentioned the cricket club and his hopes for the summer, and that the first match in the League was on the first Bank Holiday in May; they would be playing against Little Derehams. What did he think?
‘Brilliant!’ Peter, a born athlete and keen cricketer, was pleased. ‘I understand they’re a very good team.’
‘They are. They are,’ Ralph beamed.
‘The pavilion will be finished then?
‘Oh yes! Have you not been to take a look?’
‘No. I keep meaning to find the time. It’s not lack of interest.’
‘It is going to be excellent,’ Ralph enthused. ‘All modern conveniences in every sense of the word, plus a marvellous wide verandah right across the front – old Fitch’s idea, and give him credit it’s a good one. Best pavilion in the county when it’s finished – but then that’s typical of the man.’
Peter looked at Ralph with a reproving expression on his face. Ralph apologised immediately. ‘Sorry! I truly am grateful for what he’s done but it does rather stick in the craw. However, we shall have a superb summer cricket-wise, I’m sure of that, and the pitch is coming on a treat.’
‘Is it cricket you came to see me about then?’
Ralph sat forward and rested his hands on his knees as he always did when he was searching for the right words. Looking up at Peter he said, ‘It was nearly half-past one last night before I got to bed.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry. What was the problem? Muriel not well?
‘No, no, nothing like that. I was in Sykes Wood with Jimmy and Muriel.’
‘Ah. Yes?’ Peter’s expression changed.
Ralph told him what had happened in the wood and asked his opinion.
‘I am completely bewildered. Who on earth can these five people have been?
‘The cat Sykes had the fight with was Kate Pascoe’s.’
‘Oh good Lord, I don’t believe it.’
‘It got badly burnt. It actually rolled on the glowing embers with Sykes on top of it. It’s bound to have burns. That will be proof of a kind.’
‘I can hardly ask to see her cat can I? What excuse co
uld I give?’
‘None. But I won’t have black magic or whatever it is they’re doing, in this village. People are being affected by it, and it must stop.’
Unable to believe what was happening, Peter said, ‘They’ll not meet there again, will they, now they’ve been seen.’
‘Exactly. I didn’t mean to let them know we were there but Sykes thought differently.’
‘I wonder who else is involved?’
Ralph retorted. ‘No idea.’
‘Hardly a police matter is it? But there’s no doubt it is a church matter. They’ve done nothing criminally wrong, have they?’
Ralph shook his head saying ‘No, but morally wrong.’
‘Indeed. This calls for intervention on my part. I shall have to act, and quickly.’
‘Quite. A sight of the cat is most important. Evidence, you see. And here’s the other bit of evidence – one of the black candles.’
He took the candle from his pocket, and put it on Peter’s desk. Peter picked it up. ‘Oh, my goodness. That is ominous.’
‘It is, isn’t it? I must go, Muriel will be wondering where I am. She’s very upset after last night, but she would insist on coming with us. She can be quite headstrong sometimes.’
‘Thank you for telling me, Ralph. Action is called for, definitely, but I’m not yet quite sure what to do.’
‘Neither am I. If I get any more information I’ll let you know.’
‘Very well, and I you.’
When Ralph had left, Peter moved one of his appointments to the afternoon so that he would be free to collect the children from playgroup.
‘I want to go, Sylvia, I have a particular reason for going, OK?’
‘Very well, Rector, but don’t let Beth forget her wool hat. Dr Harris and I are taking them both to Bickerby Rocks this afternoon. Wear them out a bit, we hope!’
Peter laughed. ‘Got to go, but I will collect them, don’t worry.’
When he got to school at five minutes to twelve he went straight to the playgroup room and picked up the twins.
‘Just need to see Ms Pascoe for a moment, children. Come with me.’
‘Daddy.’
‘Yes, Alex?’
‘Cat’s got a big, big bandage round her tummy and she’s in her cage and she’s poorly, and you can’t see her eyes, she won’t open them.’
Beth, not to be outdone, said, ‘Ms Pascoe’s been crying. Truly crying.’
Peter’s heart sank. As he crossed the hall Kate, looking quite dreadful, came out of her classroom.
‘Hello, Ms Pascoe. The children tell me your cat’s been in the wars.’ He felt very two-faced saying this but couldn’t see any other way round it. He could hardly tell her outright that he knew the cause.
Kate didn’t answer immediately. When she did it was in a low voice. ‘A coal shot out of the fire and tangled in her fur and burnt her before I could get it out. She’s really quite unwell.’
‘I’m so sorry. She’ll need good care.’
‘Of course, and she’ll get it. Cat’s a dear friend.’
Peter smiled and said goodbye.
*
‘Peter! I’m amazed you didn’t realise yourself it was all lies,’ Caroline said that evening when they were sitting by their own fire. ‘I told you she’d bought a load of logs from Greenwood Stubbs. You remember, they cut down those trees and he’d advertised the logs for sale on the Village Voice board? I heard her in the Store ordering them from Pat, and giving her the money. So she’s a liar to boot.’
‘Maybe last night she burnt coal instead.’
Caroline sighed. ‘Come on, Peter. I saw Sykes this morning. Chang and Tonga couldn’t inflict wounds of that size and depth on Sykes, they’re not big enough nor strong enough. But her cat could. Sorry, but you’ve got a witch for a head teacher.’ Caroline burst out laughing. ‘That must be a first!’
‘It’s all very well you laughing, Caroline Harris, but I’ve got a monumental problem. It doesn’t just concern the school: it’s affecting the whole of my parish. It’s got to stop.’
‘Well, don’t ask me for advice! I haven’t the faintest idea what to do with a witch.’
‘Darling, in the light of what has happened, I can’t avoid telling you something that I’ve kept putting off and putting off till now I can’t delay any longer.’
Caroline turned swiftly to look into his face. She asked sharply: ‘What have you got to tell me?’
‘It’s about Mimi.’
‘Mimi!’
He paused, then looked Caroline full in the eyes. ‘Have you accepted the fact that she might be dead?’ he asked gently.
‘Of course.’
Caroline waited for him to go on. She noticed he was twisting his wedding ring round and round, a sure sign he didn’t like what he was going to have to say. ‘Her collar’s been found,’ Peter said at last.
‘Her collar? Where?’
‘In Sykes Wood, near the bonfire you saw.’
‘Oh God! You don’t think they used her for—’
‘I doubt it. It could just be chance.’
‘Who found it?’
‘Sylvia, but she didn’t dare tell you. She was so frightened, and she didn’t want you upset.’
Caroline took out her handkerchief and wiped her eyes. ‘I can’t bear to think of those dreadful people having poor Mimi in their power. When did she ever do anything unkind to anyone at all?’
‘Never. Come here.’ Caroline laid her head against his chest and wept quietly. Peter encircled her with his arms and wished he could say something of comfort but there wasn’t anything that could alleviate her distress.
Caroline finally put her hands on his chest and pushed him away from her. ‘I shall personally strangle the woman,’ she said in a quivering voice. ‘I shall go round to the school tomorrow and do it.’
‘Darling, we have no evidence that she is involved – none at all. It’s all pure conjecture.’
‘No evidence? Of course we have!’
‘What evidence? Tell me that.’
‘The cat fighting Sykes.’
‘But the cat could have been there quite by chance.’
‘Why will you go round this world believing the best of everybody? I bet if you’d been on the jury at the Yorkshire Ripper trial you’d have found a reason for letting him off! It won’t do, Peter. It won’t do.’
‘It’s the way I’m made.’
‘Poor Mimi! I shall make sure that Kate gets her comeuppance. She’s got her cat, but I haven’t got mine because of her evil ways.’
‘Caroline!’
‘Don’t say “Caroline” in that tone of voice. She’ll have to go.’
‘I can’t sack her! There are no grounds for me to do that.’
At that moment, Chang and Tonga flicked through the cat flap. They’d come in to go to bed. Caroline rushed towards them and hugged them close. ‘We shall have to have litter trays and they won’t be able to go out ever again.’
‘Oh no! That was something we knew we couldn’t have once we got the children. You agreed on that. No more litter trays. I never liked them in the first place and we are not having cats doing their business in this house. I forbid it.’
‘You forbid it?’ The ringing challenging note in Caroline’s voice made Peter’s heart sink. He forced himself to speak calmly.
‘You have got to be rational about this. Much as I love the cats, the children’s health and well-being come first. As a doctor, you know I’m right. Besides, it’s cruelty of the first order to forbid the cats their freedom. I can’t bear such cruelty.’
‘But if it’s to save their lives?’
‘Even to save their lives. I refuse to have an argument about it. No litter tray and the cats have their freedom. One year of freedom is better than ten years locked in a house. I won’t have it.’
‘They’re my cats.’
‘They’re your children.’
There was a split second of stunned silence and then she rounde
d on him and, in a controlled, ominously quiet voice, she said, ‘The cats are not my children. I’m not some idiotic sentimental fool.’
Peter was furious that she should think that he knew so little of her as to make such a mistake. He retorted angrily, ‘I know you better than to think that of you. I didn’t mean the cats, I meant Alex and Beth are your children.’
Caroline opened her mouth to protest and then changed her mind. He was right: the children did come before the cats. Peter watched her gather herself together.
Caroline swallowed hard. ‘I’m so sorry. Of course you’re right. I do beg your pardon. I got everything out of proportion with being so upset. Yes, the cats shall have their freedom, no matter what. But Kate Pascoe is another matter. I shall go to see her tomorrow, and you mustn’t try to stop me.’
‘No, Caroline. Please, leave it to me.’
‘Someone has to confront her with it.’
‘I know, but I need time to think how to go about it.’ He took both her hands in his and raised them to his lips. ‘My darling girl, I’m so sorry about Mimi; so very sorry. I wouldn’t have you hurt for the world.’
‘Peter, where’s her collar now? I’d like to see it.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes.’
‘Wait there.’
When he came back with it in his hand, Caroline smiled sadly. She cradled it against her face, looked up at him and said, ‘You know, I used to confide in her about you. When I got back to the flat after being out with you, I told her what you’d said and the things we’d done, and where we’d been. Told her how lovely you were and how much I loved you. Silly, wasn’t I?’
‘Of course not. I love you for it.’
‘Do you think she suffered?’
‘I don’t honestly know. I just hope not.’
‘And so do I. So do I. But Kate Pascoe will have to go.’
Chapter 19
Kate surveyed the paintings Class Three had done that afternoon. They were most unsatisfactory. Almost all of the children had become obsessed with black. There were black cats, black hats, black trees, black people, black clouds and two of them had a dreadful black interpretation of the devil. What on earth had happened to them all?
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