by RJ Hunter
"Is there a problem?" Asked Pauline innocently.
"No, not as far as the wedding was concerned." Replied the woman, sternly. "But the police want to speak with you in private. There's a room just over here, if you care to follow me."
Pauline glanced at Mark in a re-assuring manner. He then turned and went to speak to the guests while she followed the registrar and police inspector into the side room.
"What do you want. I've told you everything I know." Said Pauline, as she was asked to sit.
"Perhaps you left something out, Mrs. Gant?" Replied the middle-aged, stout detective in a mocking tone. "Perhaps you chose not to tell us about something that would have considerable bearing on the case."
Pauline thought there was something familiar about the inspector. Could he have been the young, cocky, over-confident policeman who had questioned her nearly two decades earlier over the murder of Mr. Bloom?"
"I can't possibly think what you mean?" She replied, shaking.
"Mrs. Gant, I have to inform you that Claire Lake has made a new statement in which she claims you attempted to murder your husband by trying to bring about a fatal road traffic accident, in which two members of the public were critically injured. Is this correct?"
"Yes, that's correct." Replied Pauline, in a barely audible whisper.
"Can you please speak up Mrs. Gant!" Barked the inspector, as two uniformed female officers stood by.
"Yes, it's correct. I've just told you." She cried out, putting her hands up to her face.
"Pauline Gant, I'm arresting you for the attempted murder of your husband, for conspiring to commit murder with Claire Lake as an accessory, and for the abduction, imprisonment and sexual assault of Miss Emily Crickleford." Said the inspector in a precise manner. "Further more, anything you say, may be taken down, and used in evidence against you. Do you understand the charges, Mrs. Gant?"
Pauline nodded and was led back out into the foyer, where Mark was waiting anxiously. She was ashen-faced as she reached out to him, flanked by the two female officers. The guests then surged forward cheering and throwing confetti over the happy couple. Pauline stopped in her tracks and stood staring at the well-wishers. There was an eerie silence that seemed to last an eternity, until it was eventually broken by Pauline herself. It wasn't a scream or even a cry. It was more like a deathly wail that seemed to come from Pauline's very soul. She clung to Mark desperately, knowing that she would soon have to leave her new husband. The two female officers moved either side of her, but before they could handcuff the distraught bride, Pauline collapsed to the ground, a sobbing heap of anguish, the confetti still falling from her hair. She never did get to fly on Concorde or visit New York.
They had waited several minutes for a space, and Sally was starting to get agitated. She wanted to get out of the car, stretch her legs and freshen up. She was just about to drive off and find somewhere else, when Penny thought she saw someone leaving.
"Look Mum, there's a car going. Can you park in such a small space?"
"Of course I can, Penny. I've been driving for more years than you've been on this planet."
It was tougher than she had anticipated, and Sally had to concede defeat, and ask Penny to get out and guide her into the narrow bay.
"How many years did you say, Mum?"
Sally had to laugh as she squeezed herself out through the half-open driver's door.
It was an unusually busy period for the Black Lion, and Sally and Penny were fortunate to get a room, even though they would have to share.
Penny lifted Pepys out from the back of the car, as he was still unable to jump, and was terrified at even the slightest of heights.
"Well, he certainly looks happy enough now!" Remarked Sally, as Pepys barked and ran around excitedly.
"I'm glad we brought him with us, Mum."
"So am I Penny, even dogs need a holiday sometimes."
After dumping off their bags in the room, Sally and Penny just had time to go down and have a bite of lunch in the Black Lion's genteel dining room.
"It'll be so romantic Mum. Are you going to tell him we're here, or will you just turn up at David's house?"
"Penny, just calm down!" Replied Sally, slightly embarrassed, as other guests glanced across with interest. "I'll do nothing of the sort," she continued. "I just want to have a nice, cool shower, then I'll have a walk around town, and perhaps have a browse in the library."
"Can I come?"
"Yes, of course you can. Did you think I was just going to leave you here?"
Penny laughed and finished her soup, as Pepys waited patiently out in the yard, gnawing on a bone the chef had found him.
It was tea-time when they finally arrived at the library. The university was open and in full swing for its autumn semester, and many of the new first year students were still trying to find their way around the various departments.
As Sally was about to enter the building, she noticed an employee of the university walk past her. She immediately recognised the woman as Carol, whom David had engaged recently to be his cook and housekeeper. The woman seemed to recognise Sally, for she smiled and gave a wave, before continuing on her journey.
Sally glanced around at Pepys and wondered whether to tie his lead to some railings while they went inside.
"Don't worry Mum, I don't really want to go inside, it's much too stuffy and it reminds me of school." Remarked, Penny. "It's such a lovely evening, I'll just take Pepys for a walk around the grounds and we'll come back and meet you in about half an hour."
"Okay Penny, I'll see you then." Sally gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek and ruffled Pepys's fur before stepping into the library.
Ten minutes later Carol arrived at David's house. She wasn't sure if he would even be there. Sometimes he would work late, or go up into the hills and walk. There were occasions when he would even drop into one of the local pubs on his way back from his office at the university. Carol had been thinking about what he had said to her about being bored and having nothing in Falcondale. The town could indeed be a lonely place for someone without a family around them and a loved one to confide in. She wanted to apologise to David, perhaps she had over-stepped the boundary a little by concerning herself too much with her employer's personal life.
Carol called out his name, as she let herself in. There was no reply but on this occasion she seemed to sense that he would be there. The back door was open and a draught of wind caught some papers he'd left on the table, and sent them flying across the room. Picking the papers up and placing them back on the table Carol, placed a heavy candle-stick holder on the pile, before heading out into the garden.
"What's this, nothing better to do than sit here tanning yourself, Mr. Peddlescoombe?" She smiled, as she ran an approving eye over David's shirtless torso.
"Hello Carol. I wasn't expecting to see you."
"Likewise, Mr. Peddlescoombe. Are you expecting any visitors?"
"No, none that I can think of, but why do you ask?" He replied with a puzzled look on his face, as he got up to go back into the house.
Carol hesitated for a few moments and wondered if she should say anything. She was a hundred per cent certain it was Sally she had seen near the library, and looked up at the portrait of her hanging on the wall.
"Well, it's just that I saw someone a little while ago."
"Who did you see, Carol? I don't understand."
"It was her, it was Sally." She said, pointing towards the picture. "She had a young girl with her and a dog."
David looked at the picture, his eyes widening. He put down his newspaper and sat on the edge of the chair.
"You mean Sally is actually here, in Falcondale?" He exclaimed.
"Yes, it was her all right. She even smiled and waved back to me. That's why I came over. I thought you would have said something if you were expecting her."
"Yes, you're right, I would have. But Carol, where did you see her?"
"She was going into the library."
; David grabbed his shirt and headed towards the front door.
"Don't wait for me, I don't know how long I'll be."
"Just do what has to be done, Mr. Peddlescoombe!" She called out after him.
The library was almost empty by the time David arrived. The duty librarian looked bored, and glanced up at the clock stifling a yawn.
"Good afternoon Mr. Peddlescoombe, you'll be a bit lonely in here today, I can't believe it's so quiet." She remarked. "I was thinking of closing up for the day."
"Just give me a few minutes, Miss Tibbs, then you can lock up." Replied David, trying to get his breath back. He had just called out to Penny and Pepys after he had seen them strolling in the campus. Now, his heart was beating wildly as he trod the well-worn carpet and began to look around for Sally. He knew it was here that she had met William over two decades earlier. He knew what he was doing was right. William wanted it that way, he thought, feeling inside his jacket pocket to ensure he still had his brother's letter.
Going down a couple of steps, David didn't pass a soul, when he entered the inner sanctum of the old library. Only sounds of the odd, distant cough broke the silence, as he walked through an aisle stacked almost to the ceiling with musty, antiquated books. This was quite a secluded area and was only really used by the more serious students of Classics and English literature. For a brief moment he thought he detected a hint of feminine fragrance. He followed the scent as it grew stronger. He now knew where to find her, and began to quicken his pace. Reaching the end of the aisle, he came to a study area, dominated by a large, sturdy writing table. There was someone sitting at the table. She was not reading, or revising, but simply gazing out of the window, looking across at the sun, setting behind the lush green hills. He noticed how the rays of the fading sunlight lit up the highlights in her now platinum, blonde hair. He noticed the odd strand of grey, which he had never noticed before.
She didn't hear him at first, but soon became aware that she wasn't alone.
"Sally," he called out gently, as she turned to face him.
"David, it's you. I hoped you would come." She whispered.
He moved slowly towards her, taking in her beauty, her fragrance, her love.
"Promise not to faint," he smiled, as she rose to her feet.
"Would you take me in your arms again, if I did?" She replied, gazing deeply into his eyes.
"That's why I'm here Sally, to take you in my arms."
Her mind began to race, and she felt unable to put into words how she felt.
"David, you know when you asked me to marry you?" She heard herself utter.
"I know, I rushed you, Sally. I'm sorry. Look, there's something I need to show you." He replied, reaching into his pocket for the letter. "I found this when I was clearing through some of William's personal effects. It concerns you, Sally."
He passed her the letter and they sat back down. He watched anxiously, as she stared motionless at her husband's writing. She examined the envelope in great detail, holding it as if it were a priceless museum artefact. Eventually, she took the letter out, again handling it as if it could simply just disintegrate at any moment. He could hear her soft breathing, and for a moment, thought he could hear her heart beating.
She let out a whimper as she began to read the first paragraph, her hands now visibly shaking. She stopped reading half-way through and glanced up at him, like she needed an assurance that it was alright to continue. Her eyes were dewy, yet still so beautifully blue. He loved to watch her, and so wanted to take her in his arms, and tell her everything was meant to be.
He followed the trail of her tears as they trickled down her face. Each poignant word touching not only her heart, but her very soul. She came to the end and looked up at him.
"I've changed my mind David, can I do that?"
"Of course you can Sally, it's a woman's prerogative!"
He reached out to grasp her hands, pulling her closer towards him. As he held her, he kissed her hair, and buried his face in its glossy silkiness. She delved into her bag, searching frantically for something to wipe away her teardrops.
"You don't need anything, Sally." He said, as he lent forward and began to kiss her tears away. As each new one appeared and rolled down her cheek, he kissed away, until there was no more.
"I'm not the woman you once knew." She sobbed, pulling away, and unable to look at him.
"I've always loved you, Sally. It's our future that's important. We can't change the past."
"It hurts me David, when you say you love me. I'm not worthy of you."
He led her back over to the table, and together they sat facing each other.
"I know what happened Sally. I know all about Frank, Lizzie told me everything."
"Everything?"
"Everything she could."
Sally's mind raced back to when Lizzie and David last spoke. It must have been the day of Tina's funeral, but he didn't seem aware of her pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage.
"Do you still want me, David?" She asked him hesitantly.
"More than life itself, for without you Sally, I have no life." He replied.
"Do you mean it, David?"
"Yes Sally, I mean it."
She clung tightly to his hands and looked into his eyes.
"Then will you marry me, David?"
He took her in his arms, never wanting the moment to pass.
"Yes, of course I'll marry you, Sally." He smiled. "Just try and stop me."
They held each other for what seemed like an eternity, until the moment was eventually broken by the shrill tone of Miss Tibbs' voice.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you when you're so busy, Mr. Peddlescoombe. But, you're the last one's here, and I want to lock up the library now."
"Yes of course, Miss Tibbs. You go ahead, we'll be right behind you." Replied David, a little awkwardly.
"I do believe you're blushing, David?" Smiled Sally, feeling like a scolded first-year student again.
"Whatever will she think? I am the Dean of Students!"
"And I'm going to be your wife, so she can think what she likes!"
Outside, Penny and Pepys were waiting anxiously. Pepys took to David immediately, and ran up to him wagging his tail excitedly.
"He likes you, David!" Said Penny, linking her arm through his.
"It's probably because we've got something in common, Penny. We've both got a leg missing." He laughed, giving Pepys a pat on the back.
Penny glanced across to her mother, who was now linking David's other arm.
"Is everything okay, Mum?"
"Everything is just fine, Penny." Said Sally with a knowing glance.
They walked across the narrow bridge that spanned the tiny river Teifi, and Sally recalled how she and William used to pass across it when they were young students back in the sixties. It all seemed so long ago, but now it was all flooding back, the past, the present, and the future, merging, and joining together as one.
THE END
