Kitty Neale 3 Book Bundle

by Kitty Neale

  Kevin ruffled John’s hair, said goodbye, and got only a grunt from Derek. He remained at the door, a fixed, soft smile on his face, yet inside annoyed that he still didn’t know if Vince was alive or dead.

  Derek didn’t know how he’d managed to keep his hands off Kevin, but for John’s sake he’d fought to keep a lid on his feelings. Pearl had told him how upset John was about his grandfather and the last thing he needed was to see him at Kevin’s throat.

  Now Dolly had been put away again and no doubt John was reeling from that too. ‘Are you all right, son? he asked.

  There was a moment of silence, but then John blurted out, ‘I still can’t take it in that my granddad drove off a cliff …’

  Derek fought for words. ‘I know, and it’s hard to believe, but if his mind had gone …’

  ‘Ke … Kevin talked to me about it,’ John croaked, as Derek’s voice trailed off, ‘and I understand that. It … it’s just that I’ll never see my granddad again.’

  ‘I’m sorry, son, I really am,’ Derek murmured, feeling totally inadequate as he took one hand from the steering wheel to gently touch John’s arm. ‘I liked your granddad. He was a good man.’

  ‘Ke … Kevin said he’ll ring me if there’s any news about my gran,’ John said as if unable to bear talking about his grandfather any more.

  ‘I’m sure she’ll be home again soon,’ Derek said encouragingly, yet remembering how long Dolly had been in psychiatric care the last time, he knew it could be ages before she could be released.

  John became quiet then and Derek drove steadily. He’d found a lad of fifteen to look after the stall but he was inexperienced and so he was anxious to get back.

  When they arrived, Pearl pulled John into her arms, and as the lad began to cry, Derek quietly left to go back to his stall. He’d been hopeless, but at least Pearl would be able to comfort John, though he felt it would be some time before the boy would be able to come to terms with the loss of his grandfather.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Kevin drove to the village, his mind for a short while on his son. It might have been nice to spend a bit more time with the boy, and if he hadn’t been leaving the country, he’d have enjoyed usurping Derek. The ugly git had threatened him, and Kevin would have liked to make him suffer for it, but he had more important things to sort out right now. Money was currently his main priority.

  Kevin parked up and soon spotted a sign for a solicitor’s office on the wall next to a small shop, the offices above it. He went upstairs to find an elderly woman sitting at a desk, in front of a row of filing cabinets. ‘Excuse me, but I’m looking for my father’s solicitor. His name was Bernard Dolby.’

  ‘Oh dear, I see you’ve used the past tense. Has Mr Dolby passed away?’

  ‘Yes, he has.’

  ‘I’m so sorry to hear that. He was such a lovely man. You’ll want to see Mr Marchmont and fortunately he’s free at the moment. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll tell him you’re here.’

  Talk about a bit of luck, Kevin thought, he’d found his father’s solicitor at his first port of call. He only had a few minutes to wait before the elderly woman was back again, this time with an equally elderly man by her side.

  Introductions were made before Kevin was led into the solicitor’s office, the man saying as soon as they were seated, ‘I’m sorry to hear about your father and offer my condolences.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Kevin nodded in acknowledgement. ‘Did he leave his will with you?’

  ‘Yes, he did, but I’m sure he has a copy.’

  ‘I can’t find it. Can I have the original?’

  ‘I’m sorry, but may I see some form of identification, along with your father’s death certificate?’

  ‘I haven’t got a death certificate.’

  ‘I’ll need to see it, I’m afraid.’

  ‘How do I get hold of it?’ Kevin asked.

  ‘When did your father die?’

  ‘On Wednesday.’

  ‘If he died at home, you must first register his death and this must be done within five days. You’ll need to take with you the medical certificate that states the cause of death, signed by a doctor.’

  ‘He didn’t die at home, and how can I get hold of this medical certificate if there isn’t a body?’

  ‘I’m not sure I understand,’ Mr Marchmont said, frowning. ‘There must be a body.’

  ‘From what the police told us, my father drove off the top of a cliff and his body was washed out to sea.’

  ‘Oh dear, that makes things very difficult. Unfortunately, in these circumstances, the coroner won’t be able to issue a death certificate until there can be proof of death.’

  ‘The cops seem to think he’ll eventually wash up somewhere,’ Kevin said. ‘In the meantime that just leaves my father’s will to prove that I’m his heir. I need it because I want to get the house on the market.’

  ‘I’m afraid you won’t be able to do that. As the law stands, until your father’s body is found his assets will be frozen. If he remains unfound, it can be seven years before a presumption of death can be granted, and even then there has to be sufficient evidence to support the claim.’

  Kevin couldn’t take it in and asked the solicitor question after question until at last, understanding what it all meant, he left the office. With his father expected to wash up, he wasn’t worried about his assets being frozen for seven years, but there would still be a delay until the body was recovered. If he wanted to hold onto Adrianna he’d have to keep that information to himself, but with the money from the sale of his car and no rent to pay, he’d be able to indulge her a bit to keep her sweet.

  Unable to find a dealership in the village, Kevin had to drive to Southsea. He found one there, but wasn’t about to take the ridiculously low price he was offered. The car was almost new, in perfect nick, and when he found another dealer the bloke had more sense and offered him the going rate. Kevin asked for cash, and the dealer was happy to oblige, no doubt pleased he could keep the sale off his books. Then, with a wad of notes in his pocket, Kevin did some shopping before he took a bus back to the village.

  Kevin hated lugging the bags around, being without wheels, and it was already late afternoon by the time he got back to the house. He was consoled by the thought that with his mother out of the way he and Adrianna would have the cottage to themselves.

  Kevin licked his lips in anticipation of at last tempting Adrianna into his bed.

  Pearl had spent many hours comforting John, and on Friday she kept him home from school. They had spoken about Bernie again, and though John was still upset, he was calmer.

  When she woke up on Saturday it was to see the sun shining through the bedroom window and an empty space beside her. Derek was already up and Pearl was yawning as she went downstairs. Derek always left early to set up the stall, and she found he’d already seen to his own breakfast, his kiss on her cheek swift before he hurried off.

  Nora appeared and Pearl made them both toast, unsurprised that John wasn’t up yet. Lucy arrived with Clive at eight thirty, and as she looked a bit flustered, Pearl asked, ‘Lucy, are you all right?

  Before Lucy could respond, Nora urged, ‘Clive, do jigsaw?’

  ‘Yes, all right,’ he agreed.

  ‘I got good one in my bedroom. We get it,’ Nora said, and with Clive behind her, she bustled off.

  ‘What’s wrong, Lucy?’ Pearl asked as soon as they were out of sight.

  ‘I … I’m all right, it’s just that Eddie White keeps pestering me to go out with him again.’

  ‘Again! I didn’t know you were seeing him.’

  ‘I’m not, and … and I haven’t exactly been out with him,’ Lucy said, her cheeks pink but then she blurted out, ‘Oh, Pearl, I feel sick with guilt. I shouldn’t have done it.’

  ‘Lucy, I don’t want to pry, and you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but what have you done that makes you feel so guilty?’

  For a moment Lucy stood motionless, biting on her b
ottom lip, but then said, ‘If I don’t talk about this … if I don’t get it off my chest, it’s going to drive me mad and I know I can trust you to keep it to yourself.’

  ‘Of course you can,’ Pearl assured her.

  ‘When I moved into my flat, Eddie called round to help me with my furniture. Honestly, Pearl, I didn’t want it to happen, but somehow it did, and … and … we ended up making love. How could I have let it happen? I’ve betrayed Paul and I can’t live with myself.’

  ‘Lucy,’ said Pearl as gently as she could. ‘If it had been you who died instead of Paul, would you have wanted him to spend the rest of his life alone?’

  ‘No, of course I wouldn’t.’

  ‘Well then, don’t you think he’d feel the same? He’d want you to move on, to let him go and find happiness with someone else.’

  ‘Do you really think so?’

  ‘Yes, I do,’ Pearl said, and as Lucy’s eyes filled with tears, she moved forward to put her arms around her small, shaking frame.

  ‘Since … since it happened, I’ve been horrible to Eddie.’

  ‘Talk to him, tell him why. I’m sure he’ll understand.’

  ‘Yeah, maybe,’ Lucy murmured, sniffing now as she pulled away. ‘Thanks, Pearl. You’ve got enough on your plate and I shouldn’t have laid this on you too. John’s in a state about his gran and granddad and there’s me going on about Eddie.’

  ‘I don’t mind,’ Pearl said and meant it. She wanted Lucy to be happy and hoped she’d helped. It was almost time to open the shop, but then the telephone rang and she hurried to answer it.

  ‘Hello, darling,’ Emily said. ‘I know I spoke to you yesterday, but how is John?’

  ‘He’s still upset, Mum, and of course he’s worried about Dolly too.’

  ‘I still find it hard to comprehend that Bernie took his own life.’

  ‘Yes … me too.’

  ‘I was thinking of coming to stay next weekend. Is that all right?’

  ‘Mum, you know it is. It’ll be lovely to have you here.’

  ‘Good, I’m looking forward to it.’

  They chatted for a few more minutes, but then Pearl went downstairs to open the shop. She missed living with her mother and at times she felt such a longing to return to Winchester.

  You’ve got to make the best of it here, girl.

  Pearl spun around, sure she had heard Bessie’s voice, but then berated herself for being silly. Yet was she? Was Bessie somehow watching over them? It might be a bit fanciful, yet despite that, Pearl found the thought comforting.

  ‘Emily, that was delicious,’ Timothy said, as he finished his dinner that evening.

  ‘I told Pearl I’d spend next weekend with her.’

  ‘I’m going to miss you,’ Timothy said, ‘but I know you’re anxious to spend time with your family.’

  ‘I’m very concerned about John. Pearl said that he’s still taking Bernie’s death badly.’

  ‘The poor lad. I wish I could do something to help.’

  Timothy had been living next door since before Pearl had moved in with John as a baby and had watched him growing up. He wasn’t a terribly demonstrative man, but Emily knew he was fond of John, along with Pearl and Derek. ‘When I come home, maybe I could persuade John to join me. A change of scene might help.’

  ‘A complete change would be better,’ Tim said. ‘I could book us a holiday, take John to somewhere that would capture his interest, at least enough to take his mind off his grief for a while.’

  Emily was touched and reached across to hold Tim’s hand. ‘I think that would be lovely, and thank you.’

  ‘There’s no need for thanks, but we’ll have to put our heads together to think of somewhere that fits the bill.’

  ‘John loves the countryside and wildlife,’ Emily offered.

  ‘It would have to be a place with completely different scenery, and wildlife that he hasn’t seen before. I know,’ Tim said, suddenly inspired, ‘what about Scotland? I’m sure he’d love to see the red deer, and we might even spot some Scottish wildcats.’

  ‘That sounds perfect,’ Emily said smiling, ‘but don’t book anything yet. There’ll be the funeral, and I’m not sure when it will take place.’

  ‘Will you go?’

  ‘I don’t know. If John wants me to, I suppose I’ll have to attend.’

  ‘What about Pearl?’ Tim asked.

  ‘With Kevin there it’s sure to be difficult for her, but again, I don’t know. Everything is so up in the air at the moment.’

  ‘I don’t suppose it’s easy for Derek. He’s been the only father John has known for all these years, but now Kevin is on the scene and I wonder how he feels about it.’

  ‘I doubt he’s happy but I haven’t had a chance to speak to him yet.’ Emily sighed. ‘Oh, Tim, there’s so much unhappiness around and it all seems to have stemmed from when Pearl moved to Battersea, along with Kevin’s release from prison. It’s like the place, and the man, brings nothing but misery.’

  ‘Unhappiness can strike wherever you live, darling,’ Tim said, ‘and as Pearl told you that Kevin is still going to leave the country, that’s one problem solved.’

  Yes, I suppose so,’ Emily agreed. All she wanted was her family to be happy, and though Kevin might be leaving, she now wished with all her heart that she had persuaded Pearl not to move back to Battersea.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  When her mother arrived on the following Saturday, Pearl could see that John was pleased to see her, but his mood was often distant and unreachable. The two days passed all too quickly for Pearl and when her mother returned to Winchester, things didn’t get any better.

  One of the worst moments for her had been when Kevin rang to speak to John and she was the one who answered the phone. The sound of his voice jolted her, but she felt nothing for him now. She found herself barely able to speak to him and had passed the phone to John, able to judge by the one-sided conversation that Bernie’s body still hadn’t been found, and that Dolly was no better.

  More weeks had passed since then, nearly five now since Bernie had taken his own life and at five thirty Pearl locked the shop before going upstairs. ‘Lucy, you can go now and thanks for all you’ve done today.’

  ‘It was only a bit of ironing.’

  ‘I still appreciate it,’ she said as Lucy chided Clive to put his crayons and drawing books away.

  ‘Nora is still using them,’ he said.

  ‘Yes, I is,’ Nora agreed. ‘Look, Pearl.’

  Pearl smiled at the childish drawing of flowers. ‘That’s lovely.’

  ‘See you tomorrow,’ Lucy said, once she’d got Clive ready.

  They exchanged goodbyes, and then, seeing that Nora was still absorbed, Pearl went to find John. He was in his room, sitting up on his bed, a pillow propped behind his head and reading a book on British trees. Though Ginger the cat was stretched out beside him, it seemed such a solitary and unlikely pursuit for someone of John’s age, and she was saddened that he wasn’t out with friends, kicking a football around.

  Her mother had rung half an hour ago, and now she hoped John would agree to what she had suggested. ‘John, I’ve had a call from your gran.’

  His eyes lit up. ‘They’ve let her out? Is she all right? What did she say?’

  ‘Darling, I’m sorry,’ Pearl said, aghast that she’d misled him. ‘I meant your Gran Emily.’

  ‘Oh, right,’ he said, the pleasure in his eyes dimming.

  ‘Tim and your gran are booking a holiday in Scotland and they wondered if you’d like to go with them.’

  ‘No, I can’t. What if they find Granddad? What if Gran gets better and they let her go home?’

  ‘You’ll only be away for a week, and as you’ll be in a hotel I can ring you if there’s any news, or you can ring Kevin yourself from there. I think it would do you good to go away for a little while. From what your gran said about it I’m sure you’ll love Scotland.’

  ‘I don’t know, Mum. It just doesn’t
seem right to go off on holiday as though nothing has happened.’

  ‘John, we’re not talking about fairgrounds, or frolicking on a beach somewhere. It’ll probably be somewhere remote and you’ll mostly be out walking. Your gran said you might see red deer and even Scottish wildcats.’

  Pearl saw a spark of interest in John’s eyes, and crossed her fingers. She was pleased when eventually he said, ‘All right then, I’ll go, but if anything happens, will they bring me straight back?’

  ‘Of course they will.’

  ‘I think I’ve got a book on wildlife found in Scotland,’ John said with a touch of enthusiasm as he scrambled off his bed to search his shelves.

  Pearl left him to it and went to ring her mother, grateful that she and Tim had been so thoughtful. Like them, she was sure it would do John good to have a change of scenery.

  Lucy was deep in thought as she left the shop. Nora was touched by the atmosphere, sad for John and unusually quiet, but on occasions Lucy had heard her murmur something about a bad man again. When questioned, Nora just clammed up and as Pearl had been through enough lately, Lucy had decided not to mention it. Yet it was playing on her mind and before Lucy knew it, she was alongside Eddie’s stall.

  ‘Are we still on for tonight?’ he asked quietly, as he packed up his stall for the day.

  Lucy was glad she had taken Pearl’s advice and her lonely evenings were a thing of the past now. ‘Yes, but don’t come round until you know who is tucked up for the night,’ she said as Clive went to take a proffered apple from the costermonger on the next stall.

  ‘Clive must know that something is going on between us,’ Eddie said.

  ‘Only that we’re friends. I don’t think he’s ready to accept more than that yet.’

  ‘Lucy, I’m sure he likes me so why don’t we all spend the day together on Sunday? We could go out somewhere, perhaps take a drive to Brighton. Clive would love it at the seaside.’

  ‘I don’t know. I’ll think about it,’ she said. Clive had been chatting to the costermonger, but now after thanking him for the apple he was trotting back. Lucy quickly said goodbye to Eddie, her mind on him as she headed home.