‘It’s all right, Marie, I’ve not come to murder you. I’ve come to collect my money.’
‘What money? We don’t owe you money.’
‘The money I hid.’
‘Where?’ Marie demanded. She was so wild with him for deceiving them that she honestly wondered whether it would be right to let him have it, wherever it was.
‘Under the floorboards.’ Harry was exhausted. He’d walked all the way from Culworth without any food since his breakfast.
‘In your bedroom, you mean?’
‘Yes. Is there a chance I could have a sandwich?’
Zack would have protested but Marie got in first and said, ‘Yes, you can.’
She rinsed her hands under the tap and began to prepare a sandwich for him, and she made a pot of tea too. The three of them sat round the kitchen table and drank tea and she and Zack watched him eat his sandwich. It was filled with fresh homegrown salad and a thick slice of Jimbo’s ham with mustard.
Marie told him where the ham had come from. ‘You shouldn’t have pinched from him, you know. He offered you a lifeline and you abused it. You should be ashamed.’
Zack shook his head at her to stop her belligerence because he didn’t want Harry turning nasty. He might even have got himself a gun, but Marie ignored him.
‘You really disappointed me, you did. I gave you a nice home, kept everything lovely for you and that’s what you did. What have you got to say for yourself then?’
Harry cleared his mouth of sandwich and said, ‘I can do nothing but apologise, Marie. I must have been mad.’
‘You did all right out of it though, didn’t you? Friendship, a job, the money that you stole, a roof over your head, a woman.’
‘Venetia, you mean. I love her and always will. She wasn’t my sort, but I couldn’t help myself.’
Marie put her oar in again. ‘She was someone else’s wife and now he’s paying for it, or he will do. That’s something else you should be ashamed of. Poor Jeremy.’
Harry put down the sandwich he was so desperate for and said, ‘To be honest …’
Marie spluttered her disgust. ‘You, honest! Huh!’
‘I am being honest. Right now. Under the floorboards I’ve got three thousand pounds to pay Jimbo back and the rest is yours. I’m giving myself up. OK?’
‘Well, now,’ said Zack. ‘That’s good to hear. But I don’t know that I want tainted money.’
‘The rest isn’t tainted, it’s what I saved from my salary. Honest.’
Again he used the word that so angered Marie, but this time she sympathised. ‘I do believe you mean it.’
‘I do. I’ve been an idiot. I’m thinking of turning Queen’s evidence, you see. I’ve had enough of being a liar. You and the people in Turnham Malpas have taught me that.’
‘Do you mean it, Harry?’ asked Marie.
Harry reached across the table to squeeze her hand. ‘Yes, I do mean it.’
Zack was understandably cautious. ‘I’m not too sure about giving us money we’ve done nothing to deserve. We might keep it for you, but I … that is, we … don’t want it. Thanks all the same.’
‘I’ll get it out, and give you the money for Jimbo. The rest you can hide for me, then you can ring the police and tell them you’ve found me.’
‘Oh no. You ring the police. It’s the first honest thing you’ve done in years. You do it.’
‘Me?’
‘Yes, you.’ Zack was emphatic about it.
‘It’s not quite the first honest thing I’ve done. I did truly love Venetia and I can’t bear her death.’
Harry leaped to his feet and set off for the stairs. ‘I’ll get it for you.’
He came back with it wrapped in a Turnham Malpas stores green carrier bag.
Zack found it rather ironic. ‘OK then. You’ve finished your sandwich and your tea, you’ve given me the money for Jimbo, now go to the phone and give yourself up.’
‘Is my car here still?’
‘No, they took it for forensic investigation so you can’t buzz off into the great blue yonder. Mine’s in Culworth in the garage having a service and MOT so there’s no easy escape for you. If you don’t ring the police quickly, I shall. Now, go and do it.’
They listened to his telephone call. Zack locked the back door again and put the key in his pocket because he still couldn’t believe that Harry would stay around long enough for the police to pick him up.
Marie whispered, ‘That’s not right,’ but the key stayed in Zack’s pocket.
They sat still and quiet, each of them mulling over the situation they found themselves in. Zack was furious, Marie distressed and Harry was wondering if he really wanted to be honest. But before he’d come to a decision, the police were at the door. He jumped up, his eyes darting around as though looking to make a run for it, but Marie looked him straight in the eye and shook her head. ‘Not this time, Harry, this is for real.’ She kissed his cheek and Zack went to open the front door. They put Harry in handcuffs and marched him out to the waiting police car. He took one look round at the houses as though sad to be seeing the last of them for some time, ducked his head, and sat in the car.
Marie waved to him and turned back to the house. ‘Zack, that poor boy.’
‘I don’t know how much sympathy he needs, or if he needs any at all. He’s no fool, he knew exactly what he was doing.’
‘I’m off to look for the money he’s left for us.’
She eventually found it underneath the floorboards in the wardrobe. Two hundred and seventy pounds.
‘Well I never.’
Zack said, ‘We don’t want none of it you know, Marie. It could bring us bad luck.’
‘I know. We don’t actually need it anyway. Well, we could find a use for it, but best not.’ She carefully wrapped it up, carried it into their own bedroom and hid it under the clutter in Zack’s half of the wardrobe. As she closed the door she whispered, ‘But I can’t help but feel sorry for him. Losing Venetia in such a nasty way. I do believe he meant it about loving her.’
As she was climbing back into bed, Marie said, ‘Would you mind if I see Harry when he’s in prison?’
‘I’ll tell you what we won’t do, and that is tell anyone about him being here tonight. Not Vera, nor Sylvia, nor anyone.
Right? OK?’
‘I hear what you say, but Jimbo will have to know.’
‘We’ll tell him Harry smuggled a letter out and we found the money according to his instructions. But I tell you what, Marie, if a man on his own comes asking for accommodation again we’ll have to be a bit extra careful about ‘em. We’ve got off lucky this time, things could have turned out a lot worse.’
‘So what do I do? Ask for references? That would be the end of the B&B as we know it. Might I remind you that it was you who recommended that he come and ask for a room, not me. You never suspected anything.’
‘No, you have a point.’ Zack rolled over and put his arm round Marie’s waist. ‘Just remember, though. If there’s a man on his own, watch out!’
Chapter 26
The following morning, on his way to begin his stint as verger at the church, Zack called in at the village store to find Jimbo already there with everything in full swing.
‘I thought perhaps you wouldn’t be here as early as this.’
‘It’s Tom’s day off. How can I help?’
‘I have this carrier bag for you.’ Mentally Zack crossed his fingers because of the lie he was about to tell. ‘You see, we had a letter from Harry that he smuggled out, and he told us where he’d hidden this. He asked us to let you have it. He says he owes you it. I have to say, I know what it is. Don’t open it in here in case someone comes in.’ Zack winked at Jimbo and left him to it.
Of course Jimbo couldn’t resist looking in immediately. To his amazement, it was filled with notes. He raced off into his own office and laid the money out in piles. He counted it twice and then collapsed onto his chair. My God! Just over three thousand pounds.
>
There came the sound of someone shouting from the front of the store, so Jimbo clapped his boater back on and raced to the counter. It was Willie Biggs paying for his paper.
‘I could set my watch by you, Willie. How do you do it?’
Willie laughed. ‘You look on top of the world this morning.’
‘Do I? I don’t know why.’
‘It’s as if you’ve had some good news.’
‘Me? No, not me. I never get good news.’
‘Right, I’ll be off for my breakfast. Croissants this morning. I love ’em.’
‘They taste best eaten in a cafe on the Champs-Elysées with a pot of coffee.’
‘Ah! Well, they’re not that bad in my kitchen prepared by Sylvia, along with a cup of tea from our shiny brown teapot. Bye!’
Jimbo watched Willie crossing the green and thought about Harry. So he’d turned up trumps at last. Whatever he’d done in the interim, he’d liked him right from the first. He was a bit surprised to find he was a full-scale robber, but there you are. There must be something good in him to give him back the money he owed him. Poor Harry. He really did seem to have loved Venetia. Poor Venetia. All the drama she had created while she was alive and she was still making waves, even from the grave. Well, not the grave because she hadn’t been buried yet. If the funeral was here in Turnham Malpas he for one would go, if only to say thank you for all the fun she’d caused. And the gossip, come to that.
The door opened and in came a young man whom Jimbo thought he recognised.
‘Good morning, we’re just opening up. What can I do for you?’
‘Good morning to you. You are … ?’
‘Jimbo. Owner of this store. I don’t know you, do I?’ Over his customer’s shoulder he spotted a very expensive car parked outside. ‘Should I?’
‘No.’ The stranger held out his hand. ‘I’m Jonathan Templeton. Always known as Johnny, the late Sir Ralph Templeton’s great nephew. I’m his heir. I’ve come to see my house now that it’s almost restored.’
‘Well, my word, we’ve been waiting for the day. Wonderful man your uncle, greatly loved. What a surprise! I can’t believe it! You’ve got the Templeton nose, that’s why I thought I knew you but couldn’t …’
‘That’s me.’
Jimbo paused for a moment and saw the likeness, the same sort of kindliness shining from the same blue eyes. ‘I’m so pleased to meet you. It’s been so long that we thought they’d not found anyone to inherit.’
‘Well, they have, and it’s me. I’ve got jet lag and I’m badly in need of a breakfast and bed. Is there anywhere in the village that does B&B?’
‘Oh yes. Laburnum Cottage down Shepherd’s Hill, just down here to the right, first turn. Your car’s pointing in the right direction, it’s about halfway down on the left. Nice place, lovely people. Can’t miss it. Tell them Jimbo sent you.’
‘Thanks. When I’ve recovered from my jet lag we’ll talk some more. I’m barely coherent at the moment.’ He reached out to shake hands again, got into his car and zoomed away. A much better proposition as a paying guest than the last one they had, thought Jimbo. At least Jonathan Templeton wouldn’t be facing a jail sentence!
Jimbo turned from watching Jonathan leave and started up the day in the store. Two days to go and it would be the wedding of Tamsin and Paddy. Thank God he had Harriet to organise all the food. He’d sneaked a peep at the cake she’d decorated and it was magnificent. She was so talented. The customers could talk of nothing else but the wedding, it was obviously going to be the wedding of the year, all thanks to Bridget’s money, from which his business would certainly benefit. He thought about life before Turnham Malpas, of the rush and bustle and the competitive world in which he had lived and worked and he knew for sure that coming here had been the very best move he had ever made. Would ever make.
The door burst open again and in came Beth, accompanied by Sykes. ‘Sorry! Out, Sykes and wait. Stay! Jimbo, I’ve come for a bottle of champagne, we’re having a champagne breakfast!’
‘Champagne breakfast? It’s not your … is it? It is!’
‘Yes, our results.’
‘Go on then … tell me.’
‘We’ve both got three As and Alex has a B too. We’re so excited.’
Jimbo put his arms round her, hugged her and kissed her on both cheeks.
‘Wonderful! Fran’s got her GCSE results next week, just the three she’s taken early. Her nerves are in shreds at the moment. She’ll be so pleased for you and so will Harriet. Wonderful! Look, I’m going to give you your favourite gateau. Chocolate! A present from me. Take it home, it’s frozen, but it won’t take long to defrost. With my compliments.’
‘Oh! Thank you! I wasn’t expecting …’
‘Of course, I know you weren’t. Remember when you were ill and you struggled round to the store to get some slices of gateau for Dottie and everyone? I was so proud of you that day. What a brave girl you were. Here you are, carry it carefully.’
Beth said, ‘I was so sad when you closed the store and so thrilled when you reopened. I don’t know what we would do without being able to come in here and talk. And cheer ourselves up.’ Her eyes filled with tears and she couldn’t say any more. So Jimbo patted her arm, opened the door for her and, when she heard the doorbell jingle, she smiled at the sound of it and left.
‘See you at the wedding, Beth!’ Jimbo called out to her.
When Saturday morning broke, the sun was shining as they had all hoped it would. The bridegroom was experiencing a bad case of panic. His mother had brought him his breakfast in bed and told him to have another hour before he began to get ready.
Another hour in bed? It was time to think about what he was doing. Time to contemplate being married to Tamsin. Time to worry about his speech. Time to be glad his mother had come. Time to … Paddy hid under the duvet to pretend he didn’t exist. Here he was, with all the luck in the world in the palm of his hand, and he was petrified. Mainly because he’d had a letter from Michelle telling him there was a job for him at Kew if he wanted it. He hadn’t opened the letter till late yesterday and when he did, he’d rapidly returned it to the envelope and pretended it hadn’t arrived. If he couldn’t see it, then it hadn’t arrived, had it? But common sense told him he was being pathetic. He was forty, not four, and he had to pull himself together. Now that he was soon to be married, he’d have to learn to share everything, not just the bed. He came out from under the duvet, ate a hearty meal, leaped out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Today was the day he’d dreamed of and he was going to make it the best day ever.
The bride, on the other hand, was weeping. No mother, no father, no sisters at her wedding. Just two old aunties, one of whom was in a wheelchair, so there was no flurry of women helping her to dress and her friends, well, either they lived thousands of miles away, had very young families, or were about to give birth. Tamsin just wished there was someone, for it seemed to her to be a day for family, not just for friends. Then she thought about Paddy and wondered how he was feeling. So she dug out her mobile and in defiance of all the rules, dialled his number. As the phone began to ring the front door opened and a voice called out, ‘Tamsin! It’s me!’
‘Oh! I’m upstairs, come up.’
She cancelled the call and listened to the footsteps coming up the stairs. She didn’t know why, but she was puzzled by them.
And there, standing in the bedroom doorway, was her sister Penny. They hadn’t met for years and seeing her now, it was just as if she’d never left. The same disordered hair, the same disregard for fashion, the same beaming smile and welcoming arms held wide to embrace her.
‘Oh, Penny. I’d no idea. I’m so glad you’ve come. So glad.’ Then they both burst into tears. Which turned to laughter, which turned to tears again, and then laughter. ‘Couldn’t miss the wedding, could I? For heaven’s sake. The sun is shining and it’s going to be a good day.’
‘I don’t care if it’s thundering and lightning, it’ll still be a
good day.’
‘It is still on then? The thought occurred to me that it might be cancelled and then I’d look a fool!’
‘No, not cancelled, I love him too much. You’ll like him. He’s not what you’d expect him to be though, but he loves me and I love him.’
‘He’s not full of music then?’
‘He’s trying. He’s started on the flute and I must say, considering he’s had no training whatsoever, he’s doing quite well. This is him, look.’ Tamsin showed her a photograph of herself and Paddy. ‘He’s a qualified gardener and works at the big house in the glasshouses, with the peaches and the grapes and such. He’s well respected.’
Penny sat on the bed and said, ‘There’s a but, isn’t there?’
Tamsin nodded. ‘You know too well, just as you used to do.’
‘I’m still your sister. What is it?’
‘The trouble is … well … I’ve got the offer of a job at Dame Celia Collingswood Girls’ School in London. The post is Director of Music, with time for playing at concerts and such, as part of the bargain. It’s a fantastic job, it’s just right for me, but now I’ve got Paddy to consider. I didn’t even apply, they just contacted me and said the job will be vacant in January next year when their present director retires. I’m in one heck of a mess.’
‘How did they know about you?’
‘The head of the school heard me play at a recital in Smith Square and made enquiries. We’ve spoken on the phone and they’ve more or less offered me the job subject to an interview. Apparently that’s just a formality.’
‘Look! I need a shower, you need to get ready. We’ll talk, afterwards, shall we? There’s nothing set in stone, you can say no, and Paddy could say yes. Maybe he needs a move too. You never know. Stunning job, though. And just right for you. Definitely not for me!’ Penny scooped Tamsin up in a great big hug, just like she used to do when they were young and suddenly life didn’t seem quite as complicated as Tamsin had thought.
‘Oh, Penny, I’m so glad you’ve come. Are you staying in England?’
‘For a while, yes, then I’m going back. I love it out there. I’ll see you back from your honeymoon and then we’ll see.’
A Village Deception (Turnham Malpas 15) Page 25
