'But your husband's no longer with you?' Mia asked. That hadn't sounded quite as tactful as she'd hoped, and Hettie looked shocked by the question.
'Hector? Of course he's with me. Where else would he be?'
'Oh! Um. I'm so sorry. It's just that yesterday you said it was only your rat waiting for his tea. I mean, Prince Gustav. I assumed it was just you and Prince Gustav in your cottage.' Mia fumbled an apology.
'It is,' Hettie said, clasping one hand over the other and resting them an inch or so beneath her ample bosom. 'Hector died years ago, but just because he's dead, it doesn't mean he's not with me. Even the vicar knows that. Although he doesn't hold with my talking to him. Talking to Hector, I mean. Not the vicar. Reverend Thomas Tyburn doesn't believe we can converse with the spirits, but we can. Matilda agreed with me about that. The dead are always with us, deary. Whether we want them there or not.'
Garrick finally spoke: 'Has anyone else been in the cottage since Mattie's death? Any relatives or friends?'
Hettie shook her head. 'Only me, deary. And I certainly hope you're not suggesting that I would help myself to Matilda's belongings because if you are, I'd take offence at that. Besides, as I told you, she kept those sort of things in her special room and I don't have a key to that, and clearly won't have in the future, so it can't be me who took them, can it?'
'I'm not suggesting anything of the sort,' Garrick replied calmly. 'We're simply trying to find out where the laptop and jewellery are and who has had access to them since Mattie's death. You're the only person, other than Mia, with keys so anyone wanting access would come to you, I assume?'
Hettie pursed her lips. 'They would. But no one's been near other than that solicitor and I let him in myself because Matilda didn't answer the door. We found her together. Dead as a doornail, she was.'
'What?' Mia didn't believe her ears. 'Are you saying that Matilda … Mattie died in the cottage?'
'Of course she did, deary. I thought you knew that. Right outside the door to her special room. Whether she was going in or coming out is anyone's guess but the door was locked and the key hung around her neck. She just dropped down dead on the spot. It was awful, deary. The police came. They do that you know if someone dies in such a fashion. A massive heart attack, the doctor said. No doubt about it. Natural causes. As if it could have been from unnatural causes? Dear Matilda was ninety-nine. We all have to go sometime, don't we, deary? It was just her time, that's all. But now I think about it, that solicitor took Matilda's keys. I didn't pay much attention. Talking ten chickens at a time, I was, because it was such a terrible shock. I mean, I've seen a few dead bodies in my days but not like that. All alone and lying there just waiting for someone to find her.'
'Bloody Nora,' Ella said. 'Had she been dead long?'
Hettie shook her head. 'No deary, bless you. The doctor said it happened just a few short hours before we found her. Good thing the solicitor turned up when he did I suppose because it was a Friday afternoon and I wasn't due to clean until the Monday, so she'd have been there for a few days, if not for that. Mondays and Thursdays were my days and she was as fit as a fiddle on the Thursday. We chatted about the weather, and I told her old Mrs Dupont's arthritis was playing up again. Matilda was alive and well when I left her, I can assure you of that.'
'I'm sure she was,' Garrick said. 'Oh well, let's not dwell on such an upsetting topic. Thank you, anyway. We'll speak to the solicitor and see if he can shed any light on the mystery of the laptop and jewellery.'
'Hello, Hettie.' Alexia appeared, balancing three plates piled high with Freda's Sunday roast and deftly placed them on the table, taking three sets of cutlery, each wrapped in a napkin, from the pocket of her skimpy apron. 'You coming in for Sunday lunch?'
'No, deary. Not today. I'm watching my waistline and my pennies. Now that dear Matilda's gone I'm down by twenty pounds a week and these healthy young dears don't need me to clean for them. Twenty pounds is probably not much to you, Alexia dear, but when you've only got a pittance of a pension, it makes a big difference, I can tell you. Oh. Not that I'm blaming you, my dear.' She tapped Mia on the shoulder. 'When I was your age I couldn't afford a cleaner either.'
Hettie couldn't have made Mia feel more guilty if she'd tried.
'Twenty pounds?' Mia glanced at Ella and took a deep breath. She would probably regret this, in fact she was sure she would, but before she could stop herself the words tumbled out of her mouth. 'I can stretch to twenty pounds, and Ella and I hate cleaning at the best of times. Why don't you come and clean for me, at least for a while anyway, and we'll see how things go?'
Ella gasped and Garrick groaned but tried to muffle it by taking a gulp of his beer. Even Alexia made a strange little choking sound and stared at Mia as if in disbelief. If Hettie noticed, she pretended not to because she beamed at all of them and bent down and gave Mia a big hug.
'Oh, you're an angel, just like your dear sweet great-aunt Matilda. You've made an old woman very happy. I'll be round first thing on Monday. Nine o'clock sharp. And Alexia?' She straightened up and smiled at her. 'I will be having Sunday lunch. This calls for a little celebration. I'll have my usual table if it's free. See you later, dears.'
Without another word, Hettie hurried into The Frog and Lily, and Mia wondered what on earth had made her employ Hettie Burnstall to be her cleaner. She wasn't at all sure she liked the woman, let alone trusted her.
Alexia smiled and shook her head. 'Enjoy your meals. And good luck with Hettie, Mia.'
'Bloody Nora,' Ella said. 'What in God's name made you do that?'
'I was about to ask the same thing,' said Garrick.
Mia tutted. 'She made me feel guilty. I couldn't sit here eating Sunday lunch, knowing that, because of me, Hettie Burnstall couldn't afford to do the same. I know what it's like to struggle financially and besides, when all is said and done, twenty pounds a week for me to never have to do housework again, seems like a bit of a bargain.'
'That's true,' Ella agreed. 'And you can always lock yourself in Mattie's special room while Hettie does the cleaning. I bet you that's what Mattie did.'
'Isn't it awful about Mattie dying outside that door?' Mia shivered in a dramatic fashion. 'I didn't mention this, but yesterday I felt a little chill when we were standing on that spot. I wonder why the solicitor didn't tell me?'
Garrick rolled his eyes. 'For the very reason you've just stated. He probably thought there was a chance you'd start imagining you were seeing ghosts or something.'
'I didn't say I saw a ghost. I said I felt a chill.'
'Probably a draught because the front door was open. Anyway, I didn't want to say this when Hettie was here, but perhaps the solicitor took the laptop and jewellery for safe keeping after he and Hettie found Mattie dead.'
Mia shivered again. 'The very thought of finding a dead person is enough to give me nightmares. Poor Hettie.'
Ella shrugged. 'I don't think it would bother me. I wonder why the solicitor was visiting Mattie that day.'
'No idea. He didn't mention that either.' Mia looked at Garrick. 'Surely, if he had removed anything he would've given it to me when he handed over the keys? Or at the very least, he would've told me he'd taken them. Wouldn't he?'
Garrick nodded. 'Good point. I'm sure he would've done that. We should give him a call tomorrow just to check. Although he didn't tell you he found her dead, so perhaps he only tells you what he believes you need to know. And what we don't know, is whether there is a residual estate and if so, who gets it. If there is, perhaps the beneficiary of that also gets the laptop and the jewellery. Perhaps that's why he didn't mention them.'
'But Mattie left Mia the cottage and its contents,' Ella said. 'Surely the laptop and jewellery are contents? And they were in the cottage when she died, as far as we know.'
'I'm not a lawyer, sis, so I don't know. Maybe personal items like laptops and jewellery don't come under contents.'
Ella frowned. 'They do for insurance purposes. We should ask the solicit
or.'
Mia sighed. 'This is becoming more of a mystery by the minute.'
Garrick unexpectedly reached out and squeezed her hand. 'I'm sure there's a simple explanation for all of it, but we can't do anything until tomorrow so let's eat this delicious-looking lunch before it gets too cold. We can spend the afternoon unpacking so we won't have to keep moving boxes around when we're looking for things.' He gave an encouraging smile.
'Oh,' Ella said. 'Perhaps the solicitor also knows the password for the WiFi. We should add that to the list of things to ask him. At least then we can use our own laptops, and I can do five minutes' work next week. And speaking of work. On Monday morning, at nine o'clock sharp, Hettie will clean up the mess we make unpacking today.'
Ella grinned and shoved a large roast potato in her mouth; in an attempt to brighten her mood, Mia did the same.
It was Sod's Law that Jet Cross and another gorgeous, black-haired guy chose that precise moment to appear and stop beside the table where the three sat.
Chapter Fifteen
Trying to chew and swallow a whole roast potato and look attractive at the same time was a feat Mia could not achieve. She looked down at the table and placed one hand in front of her face, pretending to rub the tip of her nose, but she wasn't fooling anyone. Ella didn't even bother. She munched away regardless and when Mia cast a glance in her direction, Ella was giving a perfect impression of a demented hamster, both cheeks puffed out and a strange twisted smile on her face. Mia almost choked with laughter and had to cough and swallow several times to ensure the potato didn't get stuck in her throat. It was as if the whole thing happened in slow motion and the expressions on Jet and his friend's face spoke volumes.
So much for making a good impression.
'Hi,' Jet said, his voice soft and lilting as he looked directly at Mia. 'I think I owe you an apology. Two apologies, in fact.'
Mia couldn't speak so she raised her brows instead.
'One for making you wait on Seaside Road yesterday while I faffed around with the tractor and the gate. And two, for the raucous behaviour of me and my mates in here last night. We're not usually that obnoxious and we didn't even say hello and welcome you and your friends to the village.'
Mia tipped her head from side to side. What on earth was she doing? This was simply making things worse. Could she look any more stupid?
A broad smile crept slowly across Jet's gorgeous face. 'Let me rectify that now. Hello, Mia. I'm Jet Cross and this is Rupert Day.'
Mia managed a smile and a nod and Rupert smiled back.
'Everyone calls me Bear,' Rupert ventured.
Garrick was the first to speak, obviously realising Mia and his sister couldn't.
'Hi. I'm Garrick and this is my sister Ella. We're staying with Mia for a while. Why do they call you Bear? Sorry. Just curious.'
Rupert smiled at him. 'Not for the reason most people think. Mum and Dad met on one of those bear watching trips in Canada, so to mark the occasion, they gave me Bear as a middle name. Rupert was my Grandfather so my name is Rupert Bear Day. I got some stick at school for that, as you can no doubt imagine. What can I say? Crazy parents, I'm afraid.'
'I think it's cute,' Ella said, in a rather odd tone. She was clearly still swallowing potato.
Finally, Mia managed, 'Hi. It's good to meet you both.'
'We'll leave you to get on with your lunch,' Jet said, still smiling. 'Just wanted to say hi and to apologise. Hopefully, we'll be seeing you in here on a regular basis. It's the only pub for miles around, so it's not as if there's a lot of choice. But it can get pretty crazy. Freda and Alec have quiz nights, darts matches, drinking contests and that's just for starters. After the bright lights of London, you won't know what's hit you.' He winked. 'See you again soon, I hope. And Garrick ...' He placed both hands on Garrick's shoulders. '... If you're interested in rugby, give us a shout.'
'I am. I was just chatting about it with Toby.'
'Good man. See you on the field then.' Jet smiled at Ella and then at Mia, but his gaze seemed to linger on Mia for a few extra seconds.
Or perhaps Mia imagined it.
'Bloody Nora,' Ella said, when Jet and Rupert disappeared inside the pub. 'They had to come along at that exact moment, didn't they? I'm not sure which one is better looking. Jet or Rupert.'
'Jet,' Mia said, without even thinking.
'He's really hot. I thought that yesterday. But now that I've seen Rupert, I think I may prefer him.' Ella grinned. 'And I like the idea of having a boyfriend called Bear. Didn't Hettie say he was a vet?'
Garrick nodded. 'And that he lives across the pond. So it must be in one of those cottages.' He pointed at the row of cottages diagonally opposite.
'Oh good. Not far to stagger home after a night of unbridled passion then.'
Garrick grinned as he cut into a juicy slice of beef. 'He might live with his mother.'
Ella pulled a face. 'Well, Alexia not only lives with her parents, she lives with her brother too. That'll cramp your style.'
'I wouldn't bet on it.' He tilted his head slightly to the left. 'And here comes one of the other guys from last night, I think.'
Ella turned to look. 'He's got black hair too. That must mean he's Justin Lake, the male stripper-cum-dancer. He's certainly got the body for it from what I can see from here. Hmmm. I may have to have a rethink about Bear.'
'How can you remember all their names from yesterday?' Garrick looked surprised. 'Hettie only mentioned them in passing.'
'It's a talent I have. One of many, I hasten to add.'
'You're telling the wrong man. I couldn't care less.'
They waited for Justin to saunter past and as he did so, he nodded and smiled in their direction but he made no effort to introduce himself.
'Hmm. I like the quiet ones,' Ella said. 'And you could learn a thing or two from Jet. Like charm, for one. It simply oozed out of him. Are you sure it was you who dumped Fiona? I'm beginning to think she may have given you the boot.'
Garrick stiffened noticeably. 'No one dumped anyone. I began to think I had made a mistake and when we discussed it, we both agreed to go our separate ways. I'd rather not talk about it, thanks.' He got to his feet abruptly. 'I need another drink. And I know without asking that you want one too.'
'That hit a nerve,' Mia said, once he was out of earshot.
'I told you he was being weird about it, didn't I? How am I ever supposed to really understand the workings of the male mind if I can't even figure out what's up with my own brother?'
'Don't ask me. You know my track record with guys as well as I do. I can never figure them out. If they weren't so bloody appealing, I swear I'd give them up.'
'They're definitely more trouble than they're worth half the time.' Ella cut a potato into small pieces and grinned at Mia. 'So which of the three guys is going on your list? Jet, Rupert or the strong, sexy, silent Justin? Or all three?'
'You're forgetting Alexia's brother Toby. He's single, so Hettie said.'
'If being single is all it takes to be on your list,' Ella said, as Mia put her wine glass to her mouth to finish off the contents, 'you could add Garrick. He's single too. And having sex with someone else may help to improve his mood.'
Mia choked on the large gulp of wine she'd taken and as she quickly clamped her hand over her mouth and turned her head to ensure she didn't spit it over the remaining food, someone in a long black and white outfit walked by. An arc of wine burst from her and sprayed the person down their left side. And to Mia's mortification, she realised it was the vicar.
Chapter Sixteen
'I am so, so sorry,' Mia said, jumping to her feet and grabbing her napkin. Hettie had not had very nice things to say about the vicar and he would no doubt give Mia a lengthy lecture on the sin of consuming too much alcohol, especially on a Sunday.
'It's okay,' he said, smiling. 'It could've been worse. At least it was white wine.'
He wasn't at all as Hettie had described him. He was actually rather good looking, a
lthough not in the league of Jet, Rupert and Justin. Or Garrick. He was of slim build, but his jaw was firm and his cheekbones pronounced. His hair was thick and golden brown, like Mia's and his eyes held a warmth and a friendliness as he held up his hands and shook his head, stepping away when Mia attempted to dab at the wine spatter.
'Please. There's really no need. It was going in the wash as soon as I got home in any event.'
Even his voice sounded friendly and when he laughed, Mia and Ella laughed too. He was the complete opposite of the sanctimonious git Mia had been expecting.
Which was odd, because until now, Hettie Burnstall's brief descriptions of the men in the village had been spot on.
'I really am sorry.'
'Don't give it another moment's thought. It's a novel way to be introduced. I'm Tom Tyburn, the vicar of St Michael and All Angels.' He leant forward and grinned. 'We're a welcoming bunch, hence the 'All Angels' bit. I don't think I saw you in church this morning.' He winked. 'Don't worry. I'm not the type to lecture you on church attendance. But we do have a choir if you're interested in that. And you must be Ella. I'm very pleased to meet you. So, Mia, how are you settling in?'
Mia smiled brightly. 'It's lovely to meet you, Reverend.'
'Please. Call me Tom.'
'Hi, Tom,' Ella said, with a strange look in her eye. 'You're not at all what we were expecting.'
His brows furrowed and he grinned. 'Ah yes. I can imagine. You've obviously met Hettie Burnstall. And this must be Garrick.' He glanced towards the door of the pub.
Garrick carried the drinks to the table and smiled when Tom introduced himself.
'Well, it's lovely to meet you all but I'll leave you in peace to finish your lunch. Choir practice is Tuesday evening, if you're interested but I expect we'll bump into one another before then. Little Pondale is hardly a metropolis.'
The Cottage on Lily Pond Lane-Part One_New beginnings Page 8
