It Started at Sunset Cottage

by Bella Osborne

  Andy subconsciously took in another deep breath and dragged his eyes to look at the body. He stared at the large shape in the bin bag. There was something colourful spilling out of one end, which Andy assumed was clothing. He pushed open the gate and walked in, careful to tread on the grass and not to disturb anything. The officers continued to laugh, a couple of them holding their sides. The sergeant wasn’t laughing; he was still shaking his head. They all looked at Andy, but nobody stopped him. Andy peered into the hole as he passed it. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting to see in there, but he was very grateful there was just earth and a bit of rubble.

  “Ah, Mr… sorry I’ve forgotten your name.” The sergeant walked across the dishevelled earth and stepped over the body as he made his way over to where Andy was standing on the grass.

  “Shaw, Andy Shaw.” Andy was getting more alarmed by the minute by the lack of decorum they were all showing.

  “We’ll soon be all finished here, then you can lock up.”

  “What about all this?” asked Andy looking at the giant hole, the rubble and the body in the bag.

  “I’m afraid it was a lawful search, so that’s for Mrs Greasley to sort out, not us.”

  “I meant, was it Shaun?”

  “In the hole?” grinned the sergeant, to which Andy nodded, and more peals of disrespectful laughter echoed from the other officers. The sergeant waved a hand for them to stop. “No, there’s no body under the patio, but then you already knew that, didn’t you?”

  “Er, yes. Actually, no,” said Andy tentatively.

  “I could do you for wasting police time, you know, but, hey, it did give the boys a laugh.”

  “Look, I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you’re talking about. The last I heard there was a head and torso buried down there and we all thought it was Shaun. I helped you with the patio. I’ve done nothing to waste police time.” Andy could feel himself getting het up the more he went on, so he stopped and waited for the police officer to fill the silence. The sergeant was looking at him oddly, now. It appeared that both men were confused about the situation. The sergeant cracked first.

  “The clown,” he said forcefully. Andy looked at him blankly. Was he referring to Shaun? He didn’t know, but even Shaun deserved a bit more respect than this if he’d been butchered and buried. The sergeant bent down and pulled the muddy black bag so that the contents spilled onto the lawn. Andy stumbled back in shock, expecting to see something that would be etched in his nightmares forever, but instead he found he was staring at something colourful that had landed at his feet. “This big clown was buried in the hole. I take it that was your idea of a joke?” Andy stared at the grinning monstrosity of a toy.

  “What? God no. Who would do that?” Andy paused. “Amy.” The sergeant was looking more confused than ever. “Mrs Greasley’s daughter, Amy. She got the clown from Shaun for Christmas. She hates it. I think she may have buried it in the hole when she was helping me with the patio, but I didn’t see her do it. Honestly, I didn’t know it was in there.” Andy had a vague recollection of someone in the hall when he’d been distracted by Irene’s telephone call, which must have been when Amy sneaked the clown downstairs.

  “Oh, well, there we are then. We’ll have to bag it up anyway, so it’ll give forensics a laugh. You won’t get it back for a while.”

  “That’s not a problem, you can keep it.” Andy was instantly overjoyed. “So does that mean Sarah is free to go? No charges?”

  “I don’t know, but I can radio in and find out for you,” offered the officer, who was being quite reasonable considering the huge disappointment he must have had at finding a toy clown and not a mutilated body on his patch.

  Andy hovered around the front garden after he’d locked up, waiting for the sergeant to update him. He stuck his head out of the side of the police van.

  “She’s free to go. You can pick her up now if you like, but don’t either of you leave the area.” He waved as the van pulled away from the curb. Andy rang Kate as he got into the car to relay the good news but didn’t mention the clown; that was something he would need to tackle Amy over separately.

  Andy started off his journey feeling overjoyed that Sarah was free to go, but as he got closer to the station other thoughts started to creep back into his mind. Shaun was still missing and Sarah was still their number-one suspect. He parked the old Beetle across the road and saw Sarah waiting just outside. As soon as she saw the car, she started to walk towards it and as Andy got out she quickened her pace towards him, fell into his arms and burst into tears. Andy held her and rocked her gently until the tears subsided. He gently tilted her head up to his.

  “You know, I’ll murder the bastard if he ever turns up alive,” she laughed through her tears.

  “Don’t let the police hear you say that and don’t let Shaun and Irene mess with your head.”

  “They should know better than to mess with me. They’d be safer trying to sandpaper a tiger’s arse.”

  “Come on, let’s get you home. Apparently Amy is making your favourite meal for tea.”

  “Pepperoni pizza?”

  “Yep,” and he opened the rusty car door for her. She felt like a star as she got inside.

  Back at Kate’s, it was hugs and tears of relief all round and whilst Sarah was updating Kate on her questioning ordeal, Andy took Amy off for a chat. They went into the garden and Andy sat down on one of the garden chairs with Amy standing in front of him, so that they were virtually eye to eye.

  “Amy, I need to ask you something and you need to tell me the truth. It’s really important, okay?”

  “Okay,” said Amy, mirroring Andy’s serious look.

  “The policemen dug up Mummy’s patio today.”

  “Oh no! Is it broken?”

  “It’s okay, we’ll fix it. You and me; we did it once, so we can do it again. Do you know what they found when they dug it up?”

  “Treasure? Fossils?” asked Amy excitedly.

  “No, something else that someone had buried there. Something they might not want to see again,” he suggested. Amy’s expression changed in an instant as what he was asking registered. “Do you know what they found?”

  “Daddy’s clown.” Amy hung her head. “I’m sorry, but it looks at me at night and it scares me. Daddy said it couldn’t live at his house.” Amy looked forlorn.

  “Why didn’t you tell Mummy or me that you didn’t like it?”

  “Daddy said not to. He said it was very special and I had to keep it safe.”

  “It’s very safe now because the police have got it.”

  “That is very safe,” said Amy, looking a little happier with the situation.

  “Is it okay if I explain this all to Mummy later or do you want to tell her?”

  “No, you can tell her,” nodded Amy and she took Andy’s hand. “Come and see the sunflower picture I made for you.”

  Didi stood in the large reception area of the hotel and tried to take in every detail of the fabulousness of it all. To think that she lived just a few bus stops away from all this was almost unbelievable. The floor gleamed beneath her feet, as if it were made of ice and the imposing chandelier sparkled and winked like floating jewels above her head. She knew she was grinning like an idiot, but couldn’t help it.

  She hadn’t asked Tim what had really happened to her flat. She feared she had been burgled, but he had rescued her photographs, even the one of her old dad in his army uniform; they were the most precious things there. So, for now, she wasn’t going to think about her little flat. She was going to pretend she was on holiday and enjoy it for as long as it lasted and try as hard as she could to remember every detail so that when she was back at home, these memories would make her smile.

  As Tim approached the reception desk the young woman on duty recognised him.

  “Mr Calder, lovely to see you again. Are you booked in with us or shall I check your usual suite?”

  “Hi, I am booked in but I need another suite if you have one,
ideally the one next to mine.”

  “Certainly,” said the receptionist, tapping away on her computer. “The next-door suite is available. It’s a connecting suite, if you’d like?”

  “Brilliant, yes please. Can you also get onto Harvey Nicks,”

  “The usual, Mr Calder? Evening dress and shoes, two sets of underwear and a change of clothes, size six is it?” smiled the receptionist, trying hard to keep the judgemental tone out of her voice.

  “Just the evening dress and shoes,” replied Tim slowly, “but I’m guessing in a bigger size,” he said, lowering his voice and stepping aside so that the receptionist could see Didi, who was standing patiently behind him. Didi smiled when she realised they were both looking at her. The receptionist would have fallen off her chair had she been sitting on one, as she stared at the mature lady, who was smiling so sweetly back at her. Tim beckoned Didi over and whispered the question in her ear. Didi looked at him shocked.

  “You can’t ask a lady that!”

  “You’ll need something to wear to dinner tonight.”

  “But I’m not telling you my size,” Didi was insistent and the receptionist was fascinated by her. Tim reached for the pad and pen that was on the reception desk.

  “Here, write it down, then. Top, bottom and shoes.” Didi glared at him, harrumphed, snatched the pen from him and jotted it down begrudgingly. When she was done she folded the paper over and slid it across to the receptionist. Tim made a pretend grab for it and Didi smacked him on the arm.

  “I think I may have been kidnapped,” smiled Didi at the receptionist.

  “Behave yourself or I’ll have you sectioned again,” Tim said, as he signed the form the receptionist placed in front of him.

  “Harvey Nicholls have messaged back to say they’ll be here with a selection of gowns in the next 30 minutes.”

  “Hurry them up, would you, I want to be leaving for dinner by then.”

  “Certainly, sir,” the receptionist nodded and handed over the key cards. Didi took what looked like a white credit card, wondering what she needed it for, but accepted it graciously. As they walked away, Tim pointed Didi towards the lifts.

  “I just need to book a wake-up call. Won’t be a minute. Our lift is over there,” and he strode back to reception.

  “Actually, can you get her a couple of sets of fancy underwear, too, and some flowers? Women of all ages love that, don’t they?”

  “Certainly, sir.”

  Tim met Didi at the lift.

  “What about my case?”

  “That’ll beat us up there, most likely. The porter will be bringing it up now in the service lift. Do you like Italian food?” he asked casually.

  “Prefer French,” said Didi.

  Didi ran her hands over the soft fabric of her midnight-blue evening dress. It was the most beautiful feeling against her skin and she’d loved it the second the young lady had pulled it out of a suit carrier and laid it on the giant bed in her room. The room that most probably could have fitted her tiny flat inside it twice over. Didi felt the warm night air fan her hair and she took another sip of the exquisite champagne. She had never felt so utterly spoiled in all her life. She opened her eyes to see Tim watching her intently. He was leaning back on his chair, his dinner jacket open and his bow tie slung around his collar.

  “That colour really does suit you. Are those sandals okay?”

  “Bit higher than I’m used to, but they’re surprisingly comfy, actually,” Didi wiggled her toes to the side of the table so that Tim could see and he smiled.

  “Don’t go falling off them; that’s how you break a hip at your age.”

  “Are you gay?” said Didi.

  “No, but any longer with you and I can feel myself turning. Why?”

  “Just wondered; the stories in the papers might have been an elaborate smoke screen.”

  “No, I’m straight. So you’d better be wearing your chastity belt.”

  “I’m not, but I’ve found incontinence pants are equally as effective at keeping men away.” Tim shook his head and laughed. He had really enjoyed their evening together. It made a change for Tim to relax and just enjoy someone’s company. He hadn’t felt this calm since the cottage.

  “Are you ready for dessert yet?” he asked.

  “Ooh, now I think I could be tempted,” grinned Didi cheekily. Tim nodded and the waiter appeared at their table, just as Tim’s mobile rang. Tim saw the name flash up and then remembered that he was meant to update Kate after he’d settled Didi into her flat, but obviously the plans had changed a little since then.

  “Hi, Kate, how are you? How’s Amy?”

  “We’re all fine, thanks. It’s been sorted. I think it has, anyway. Did you get Didi home all right? I can’t get any answer from her flat, it just rings out,” which was probably because the phone had been nicked, thought Tim.

  “Oh, er, there was a slight change of plan. I thought I would take Didi out for a meal rather than leave her on her own…” he fumbled.

  “Give me the phone.” Didi held out her hand and Tim obediently handed it over. “Hello Kate, I’m fine. I’ve had a glorious meal with vintage champagne, on a fabulous private boat that’s drifting up the river Seine, and the Eiffel Tower is just coming into view.” Tim started to repeatedly bang his head on the table.

  “Didi, you are a one,” chortled Kate. “Well, as long as he’s looking after you and you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine. Tim is being the perfect gentlemen. He’s even bought me new underwear!”

  “Give me back the phone!” Tim said, making a failed attempt to take it from Didi.

  “Didi, you’re really teasing me now, so I know you’re all right. Make sure he takes you right to your door and I’ll speak to you tomorrow.”

  “Okay, au revoir!” and she handed the phone back to Tim, who was looking totally panicked. “Stop fretting. She didn’t believe me for a second. She probably thinks you’ve taken me to the Beefeater.”

  “And I will next time, if you’re going to behave like this. Look Stéphane is waiting for you to choose your pudding, then we need to get back to the airport.”

  “Spoilsport,” and she kicked him gently under the table and he made a big fuss. The boat continued its slow path in front of the Eiffel Tower and Tim and Didi barely noticed that it erupted into a mass of flashing lights, as they were far too busy laughing.

  When Amy was all tucked up in bed after a final round of “Happy Birthday”, and the sixth time of blowing out her candles, the adults eventually retired to the garden and the warm summer evening with a bottle of Prosecco. Kate poured out the fizz and they “Ahhed” as they relaxed back in their seats. It was quiet for a while as they all sipped their drinks and listened to the garden birds calling to each other as they settled down to roost.

  “I’m guessing you both want to know why I didn’t tell you that I’d seen Shaun just before he went missing,” Sarah said into her glass. She fidgeted in her chair before making eye contact with Kate and Andy.

  “Yep, that would be good,” said Andy, in a matter-of-fact manner.

  “We’ve been worried about you, that’s all. We know you didn’t kill Shaun,” Kate said.

  “That’s more than I know.” Sarah took a quick sip from her glass. Kate and Andy were both looking at her closely now. “Don’t worry, I probably haven’t killed him. I’ve told the police everything now, anyway, and I have to say that I feel a lot better for it.”

  “So, tell us then,” urged Andy.

  “The night Shaun came round, that was the last time anyone saw him. He was demanding to come in and I wouldn’t let him. I gave him some lip, but he didn’t come back with his smart remarks like usual; he wasn’t himself. I think he was frightened of someone and he kept saying that he was a dead man if I didn’t let him in. Anyway, this went on for a bit and he got louder and more abusive and started trying to kick the door in. I lost my temper because Amy was asleep upstairs.”

  “No she wasn’t,” cut in K
ate and Sarah stopped her story. “She listened from her room. She told me earlier today.”

  “Oh crap! That kid is going to need so much therapy when she’s older,” sighed Sarah.

  “She won’t, she’s fine. Amy said Shaun was being nasty to you and wanted something from inside the house.”

  “Yes, he did, but the idiot wouldn’t tell me what it was. He’d been drinking and was in such a rage, so there was no way I was letting him in. Shaun got a spanner from his van and was trying to jemmy the door open, and at the same time he was screaming that he was going to kill me and take Amy.” Kate looked horrified and reached out to touch Sarah. “It freaked me out, so I went to the kitchen and grabbed a knife. I shouted to him that I had one and that I’d use it if he broke in, but he didn’t stop. He managed to jemmy the door open and he came at me with the spanner,” Sarah laughed at herself, “It sounds like a cheap version of Cluedo; Mr Arsehole in the Hallway with the Spanner.”

  “It’s not funny, though is it?” Andy said gravely.

  “No, sorry.” Sarah composed herself. She’d always been able to find the funny side of even the darkest moments. “He was like a man possessed as he came at me, so I went for him with the knife. I stabbed him in the arm that was holding the spanner and he dropped it.”

  “Thank God,” put in Kate, who could picture it happening.

  “Exactly. Then he just stood there staring at his arm pumping out blood all over my carpet.”

  “Not a coffee stain, then,” said Andy.

  “I poured coffee on it later when I couldn’t get the blood stain out,” confessed Sarah, looking shamefaced. “I didn’t know what to do, so I just pushed him outside and shut the door. I told him I was calling the police and pretended to give my details loudly so he could hear through the door. He sat on the step crying and bleeding for a bit, then it went quiet and when I looked outside he’d gone.”

  “Who fixed your door?” asked Andy.

  “Some guy in the local directory came out the next day. He did the door but not the frame. And he charged me a fortune. I didn’t sleep that night because I thought Shaun was coming back. When he didn’t come back and nobody heard from him…”