False Impression

by Veronica Heley

  Bea wondered if she were dreaming. Leon’s progress had been narrowly watched by the commercial press, who’d approved his innovations and consistently given his leadership the thumbs up. Leon’s companies were thriving … but his brother still thought he was not up to the job? The old man must be off his rocker!

  Dilys took a biscuit and nibbled at the chocolate on it, first one side and then the other. She appeared to have said all she wanted to say.

  Bea prompted her. ‘Dilys, I think I can see why your father might regret having to hand over some of his companies to his brother, but why would he want to bug our phones?’

  ‘I suppose because he thinks you’re a bad influence on Uncle Leon, that you encourage him to think he can run the companies on his own, without Daddy. I don’t think he has a very high opinion of women in business … Auntie Sybil excepted, of course.’

  Bea blinked. ‘I wouldn’t dream of advising Leon about his work. He doesn’t confide in me about his business affairs, and that’s fine by me.’

  ‘Daddy used to be quite all right about it, but just recently he’s got it into his head that if you hadn’t pushed Uncle Leon into masterminding a coup, he’d still be in control. He told Sybil you were evil, and she laughed so much she had a coughing fit.’

  ‘Goodness me!’

  Dilys shook her head. ‘It’s not a good idea to laugh at Daddy. It only makes him worse. I blame the Welsh Dragon—’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Oh. Sorry.’ A flutter of fingers. ‘Mrs Evans. His housekeeper. She’s like his guardian angel. Or that’s what he says. Some days she won’t even let me into his rooms. She’s been with him for ever, and she’s got this extended family who sort of, well—’ another wriggle – ‘they make his wishes come true. She said to him one day that she could find out what lies you were feeding to Uncle Leon, and he said, “How could you do that?” and she said to leave it to her. I never thought she meant it. I thought she was just humouring him, and that she wouldn’t really do anything about it.’

  ‘But … Dilys, doesn’t he realize that you’re staying with me?’

  ‘Well, actually, he probably doesn’t. When Aunt Sybil told him she wanted to take me and Bernice off to America for a vacation, he told her that I wasn’t to go because I was tied up with Orlando, and of course I was, in a way. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t really want to go to the States. Aunt Sybil is a bit overwhelming, isn’t she?’

  Yes, she was. ‘You think your Aunt Sybil arranged for you to visit me, without telling him?’

  ‘She said she didn’t want to leave me alone in the house when she was away, and she thought it would be good for me to help you out here in the office, and I agreed because it is a bit lonely at the big house with Bernice and Auntie Sybil gone. And Bernice is so grown-up nowadays that I don’t know what to say to her any more, and I had nothing to do and I don’t even see Daddy nowadays for days on end. I suppose Aunt Sybil forgot to tell him. She’s the only person I know who’s not afraid of Daddy … except for Uncle Leon, of course, but I don’t think they’re on speaking terms at the moment. Oh dear, oh dear. Whatever is Daddy going to say when he realizes you’ve found his bug?’

  Keith extended his mug for a refill. ‘Mrs Abbot, the man’s paranoid. You are going to report this, aren’t you?’

  Bea took a deep breath. ‘Yes, Keith. I’m going to report it. Dilys, thank you for explaining.’

  ‘That’s all right. I don’t think you’re a bad influence on Uncle Leon. I think he’s a bit of all right, and I think Daddy’s being a bit silly, but I know better than to contradict him when he gets one of his fancies. I mean, I did tell him I didn’t want to marry Orlando, and he still thinks it’s going to happen. Orlando and I are agreed that Daddy’s as bad as Lord Lethbury-that-was. Orlando’s father.’

  Keith leaned forward to pat Dilys’s knee. ‘Don’t you let them push you around.’

  A little colour came into Dilys’s cheeks. ‘No, I won’t. Or rather, I’ll try not to. It’s a bit difficult when I’m so dependent on them. It would be different if I was capable of earning my own living. I’ve no money of my own, you see, and I’m absolutely useless in an office.’

  Keith said, ‘Can’t Mrs Abbot find you a job as a housekeeper or cook? I’m sure you’d be great at that.’

  Bea had to admit that Keith was right. In her own house, with her own equipment, Dilys would probably be fine.

  Carrie looked to Bea for a lead. Meaning, shouldn’t the agency try to find Dilys a good job?

  Bea said, ‘I should have seen it sooner. If that’s what you want, Dilys, then we’ll see what we can do.’

  ‘Thank you,’ said Dilys. ‘I’d really like that. I need to live in somewhere, so that I can have Bernice with me.’

  Bea nodded, while thinking that Bernice might not agree. Bernice had been introduced to a different way of life and was happy in her new, fee-paying school. Bernice was talking about going to a top boarding school. Her Aunt Sybil doted on her, and her Uncle Leon thought she’d make a good businesswoman one day. Suppose Dilys wanted Bernice to go to live with her in some small house or flat somewhere and attend a state day school … which way would Bernice jump? She was a nice kid and often seemed to be looking after her mother, rather than the other way round. Well, sufficient to the day.

  Carrie cleared away the tea cups. ‘So what do we do about Jennifer? And what precautions do we take to avoid trouble with Mr Holland senior?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ said Bea. ‘If we sack Jennifer—’

  ‘You’d have to give grounds,’ said Keith. ‘Let the police deal with it. You’ve found a bug. You tell the police. You produce my report. They visit in strength, question your staff. You produce the copy of the contract with the phone cleaning company, and they say they’ll check for fingerprints. They take everyone’s fingerprints. Jennifer – if it is she – will realize the game is up and disappear.’

  Bea nodded. ‘Or, alternatively, we could put the bug back and feed them misinformation, but I can’t think what or how to … No, your way is best. And we might be able to get some useful information from her when she’s confronted with what she’s done.’

  ‘Being straightforward is always best,’ said Keith, looking sideways at Dilys. ‘And Dilys? You’ll find her a job she likes?’

  Bea thought of trying to explain Dilys’s complicated background and gave up. ‘Yes, Keith. We’ll do our best.’

  Keith grinned. ‘I’ll do that report for you now. Dilys, you can find me a desk to write it on, can’t you?’

  ‘Follow me,’ said Dilys, leading the way back into the main office.

  Carrie looked at Bea, and Bea looked back.

  In a hushed voice, Carrie said, ‘He’s going to ask her out. And she’ll go!’

  ‘And who is going to explain that to Daddy?’

  ‘Is Leon Holland brave enough?’

  At which both women began to laugh. Bea moaned, ‘Oh, this is awful.’

  Carrie shook her head. ‘Keith’s a good, kind man. He wouldn’t hurt her.’

  Bea said, ‘He’s been in and out of the agency for years, but I’ve never had anything much to do with him. What do we know about his private life?’

  ‘Widowed. Tragic case. A car accident? No children. I think he’s a Christian.’

  ‘What sort of Christian? I don’t mean what denomination. I mean, does he try to act in everyday life as a Christian should, or does he keep his religion for high days and holidays?’

  ‘I don’t know. I’ve never heard him swear, and he doesn’t drink or boast about having women or tell the sort of jokes which make the girls flinch. He doesn’t wear a cross or talk about going to church. I don’t know why I thought he was a Christian. Maybe he isn’t.’

  ‘He looks old enough to be her father.’

  ‘I don’t think he’s as old as he looks. But …’

  ‘But, he’s going to get hurt. Daddy has only to twitch his little finger and she’ll run back to his side.�
��

  ‘Agreed. But if her family really don’t care what becomes of her and he’s a good man who would look after her … why not?’

  Bea sighed. ‘You’re a romantic, Carrie. The Hollands don’t “do” romantic.’

  Carrie gave her a sidelong look. ‘Leon Holland does.’

  ‘That’s different. He can stand on his own two feet.’ Bea knew she’d blushed.

  ‘Right,’ said Carrie. ‘Back to basics. How do you want to deal with Jennifer?’

  ‘Do nothing, say nothing. Act as usual. She has no idea we’ve tumbled to her little game. I’ll get the police to arrive in force, and then we’ll see which way she jumps.’

  Dilys appeared in the doorway. ‘Keith’s hungry, and so am I. He asked me if I’d show him a good eatery around here. I’ve got my key, and I won’t be late.’ She disappeared.

  Bea shut her mouth, which had dropped open. She reflected that for the first time Dilys’s pale-pink jumper looked right on her.

  Carrie laughed. ‘She’s got a date.’

  ‘He’s a fast worker, but as soon as Daddy hears about it—’

  ‘If it gives her some self-confidence …?’

  ‘Yes, I know all that. And, thank you, Carrie. I’ve kept you long after office hours.’

  ‘Oh well. I haven’t much on at the moment.’

  Bea understood that. Carrie’s history mirrored her own after a fashion, which was one reason why Bea had employed her. Carrie had brought up her son alone, doing a variety of office jobs to keep them both going. Her son had gone into the army and was presently serving abroad, which had enabled her to look around for a position with greater responsibility.

  ‘I appreciate it,’ said Bea. She looked at her watch, and then checked with the clock. Nearly half past seven, and neither Orlando nor Leon had returned. What if the police didn’t believe their stories? What if Orlando were arrested for his father’s murder?

  She told herself to stop worrying. And failed. Her friend the policeman would be arriving for his supper any minute, and she had nothing prepared for him. Now that was an emergency. She left Carrie to lock up the agency rooms and climbed the stairs to her own kitchen. She hadn’t fed Winston since lunchtime. He would be ravenous. And yes, here he came plopping through the cat flap, smelling of chicken … Whose food had he been eating? He assured her he hadn’t eaten all day and that she must remedy the problem straight away. Which she did. He was getting fat, but she had more to worry about than that.

  The kitchen phone rang, and she answered it, wondering if it were bugged … But no, it couldn’t be, could it?

  The inspector. ‘I’m running late. How important is it to see you tonight?’

  ‘It’s urgent. Lots to tell.’

  ‘One hour.’

  And where, oh where have my two little boys gone?

  SIX

  Wednesday evening

  Half past eight. The inspector rang to say he was further delayed but would get there when he could. There were no further messages. The supper would be spoiled if the men didn’t come soon. She thought of trying to ring Leon and Orlando. Realized she hadn’t their current phone numbers.

  A key turned in the lock on the front door as she was checking the potatoes, and Leon’s arms stole around her from behind. She clasped his hands to her and leaned back against him. Closed her eyes. ‘You think your brother’s trying to kill you, don’t you?’

  He was dispassionate. ‘That’s ridiculous.’

  ‘But that’s what you suspect. The police kept you a long time. Didn’t your solicitor turn up?’

  ‘He did. I used the man I met this morning to make my will. The detective inspector kept me waiting for ages, then dismissed me, as if what I had to say was of no importance. I think she’s going after Margrete Walford’s husband. She believes Orlando and I are a side show and it was a coincidence that we were asked to meet where the woman was killed.’

  ‘I wish I could believe that, but Orlando isn’t back yet so they must be putting him through it.’

  ‘I don’t think Orlando’s in any danger. I understand that Margrete’s husband has been celebrating her death with a magnum of champagne. I’ve got an appointment at nine. Do I smell cooking? Did you keep any supper for me?’

  Anxiety overrode caution. ‘You will take care, won’t you?’ She wanted to add, Don’t take risks. You’re important to me. She stopped herself.

  ‘Don’t worry about me.’ Her phone rang, and he released her.

  She said, quickly, ‘Don’t answer that. Or not yet. I must tell you first that there’s been an attempt to bug my phone in the office downstairs. I don’t think this one is bugged, but I’ve just realized that it might be. I must ask Carrie if the woman was allowed to come upstairs to … No, she’d have said, wouldn’t she?’

  ‘What? Why should anyone want to—?’

  ‘Dilys thinks your brother is mounting a vendetta against you. She says he now regrets passing some of his companies over to you—’

  A gesture of annoyance. ‘He didn’t have any choice. He got over it.’

  ‘I know, but Dilys says that he’s beginning to think he shouldn’t have done it. She says the people around him are feeding his paranoia and offering to help bring you down. Leon, I’m afraid.’

  ‘I know what I’m doing.’

  ‘Famous last words.’

  The phone stopped. Bea got the casserole out of the oven and drained the vegetables.

  The phone started up again. ‘The phones downstairs have been quiet all afternoon. I suppose because Keith was monitoring them. I checked when I came up, and this one didn’t have any messages on it then.’ She looked at the number revealed. ‘I think it’s your brother. If it is, what do I say?’

  An amused smile. ‘Say you hate me. Try to make it sound as if you mean it.’

  Infuriating man. She picked up the phone.

  ‘Mrs Abbot?’ The same sharp female voice as before. ‘Angharad Evans, speaking for Mr Holland. I’ve been trying to get you for ages.’

  ‘Sorry. Someone gave us a virus, the phones have been all over the place. We had to get a techie in to deal with it.’

  ‘I understand Mr Leon is with you?’

  Bea twitched a glance at Leon, who had seated himself at the table beside her. Could he hear the person on the line? He stared back at her, intent, half smiling.

  Bea said, ‘What precisely is going on, may I ask? I thought I’d made it clear that he was no longer welcome here, but he turned up again this morning and now just a few minutes ago with some sob story or other, as if I haven’t enough to do without—’

  ‘Can you put him on the phone, please?’

  She raised an eyebrow at him. He shook his head.

  She said, still watching Leon, ‘He’s in the loo at the moment, says he’s going out again straight away. Can you please tell me what this is all about? I’m beginning to lose patience—’

  ‘I have a message for you to give Leon from Mr Holland. He recorded it earlier. I will play it to you now?’

  ‘If it doesn’t take long. I’ve got—’

  ‘If you please!’ said the voice.

  A short pause, and then a scratchy, bad-tempered man’s voice said, ‘Leon? I can’t believe what you’ve done! Your treachery is unforgivable, and I’ve finished with you, do you hear?’

  Bea watched Leon, who was watching her and not looking at the phone. Did he already know what his brother was going to say?

  The woman’s voice returned. ‘Mr Holland is too distressed to continue, but he wants me to give his brother the following message: you are no longer his brother and you are no longer welcome in his house. He is calling a series of extraordinary general meetings and will resume chairmanship of Holland Holdings UK Division, which he should never have been persuaded to hand over to you. He has instructed that the locks be changed on the accommodation you’ve been using here, and that your belongings be packed up, awaiting collection at your leisure. The car you’ve been using has been re
turned to the garage and the lease on it terminated. All communications should be addressed to his solicitors in future.’ The connection was broken.

  Bea put the phone down and began to dish up the food.

  Treachery?

  He was watching her, waiting for her to make up her mind. Treachery? She shook her head. No, that wasn’t in Leon’s nature. Snapshots of his actions during the time she’d known him flicked through her mind. She homed in on the moment she’d answered an SOS to find him, careless of his own plight, fighting to resuscitate a half-drowned Dilys. At that time he’d hardly known the girl, and she certainly hadn’t done anything to make him think kindly of her. She could easily have died if he hadn’t worked so hard to save her.

  She said, ‘Treachery? No can do. If you’ve angered him, if he’s trying to strip you of everything you’ve got, then it’s because you’ve crossed him in some way. Knowing him and knowing you, you had words because he was trying to get out of supporting Dilys.’

  She didn’t even make that a question. She put his plate of food down in front of him and fished out a knife and fork.

  The lines of strain eased on his face. He started on his food. ‘This looks good.’

  She put her own plate of food on the table, but didn’t start on it. ‘You knew what he was going to say?’

  The slightest of nods. ‘The same message was on my smartphone voicemail yesterday, before I went out to see Adamsson. I guess it’s been sent to you so that you stop giving me the time of day. May I congratulate you on your cooking, Mrs Abbot?’ He reached across to put his hand on the table beside her, palm upwards.

  She laid her hand over his. She could feel his pulse, slightly faster than normal. Perhaps hers was faster than normal, too.

  She said, ‘If we were being old-fashioned, we could prick our wrists and bleed into one another to seal an everlasting friendship. Did you ever do that as a child?’