The fellow shook his head. “Saturday. No, Jeffry Lawler had two fillings early on, a couple from Mistcome Green had exams, and Mr. Gordon came in with toothache, but no children. In fact, I closed an hour after lunch.”
Berdie tipped her head. “No small children then?”
“Not a one, Mrs. Elliott.”
Cara reappeared. “Here you are, Mrs. Elliott. That’s four pounds fifty.” She handed the perfectly wrapped box to Berdie.
“Mr. Hall.” Cara turned her attention to the young man. “What do you need then?”
Berdie pulled money from her bag and passed it to Cara, who continued her conversation with Stuart Hall while finishing Berdie’s transaction.
Out the door, Berdie sat in the work van and pondered. Why should Mrs. Limb say the children went to the dentist when indeed they hadn’t? It seemed so odd. Did they go to a dentist in Timsley? But that made no sense. She said the vicarage was closer. “Not a one.” Berdie repeated the dentist’s words. With this information, Mrs. Limb, Max, and Emmy became extremely interesting. Now she added another chore on her “must-do” list along with searching out Sundeep and preparing for Thursday’s dinner: find Mrs. Limb and get to the bottom of this strange matter.
****
Berdie told Hugh over dinner that evening about her discussion with Chad.
“I really do need to call on him.” Hugh put down his fork full of lamb cutlet on his dinner plate. “I’ve just had so much on. Rollie and Dave as well. Trying to juggle our moments so that there’s someone with Cedric at all times has been an all-consuming undertaking.”
“Cedric is critical; he’s your first priority.” Berdie placed her hand on Hugh’s arm. “Your time with Chad will come.”
“I know he’s struggling. And can you blame him?”
“I’m sure you know much more about this Chad-Cedric situation than you let on, love, but it’s Chad’s problem to resolve.”
Hugh nodded.
“Trust, Hugh, trust.” Berdie removed her hand.
“Ah yes. Small word, massive effort.”
Berdie took a bite of crispy roasted potato. “May I ask, at the picnic Chad gave a toast to someone, let’s see, someone Fox, was it?”
“Wolf.” Hugh leaned back in his chair. “Yes, Ennis Wolf.”
“Was he one of your military chums?”
“In our unit, yes. Good man. Had a lovely wife and family.” Hugh sighed. “He was captured and eventually died on one of our intelligence operations.”
Berdie eyed Hugh, who had gone quite pensive.
“Ennis and Chad were like brothers. Horrible loss for all of us, but Chad took it quite hard. Extremely hard.”
“Did he?”
Hugh took a deep breath as if to clear the air. “Shall we move on to more pleasant matters?”
Berdie could see that this discussion did not lend itself well to Hugh enjoying his dinner. And she had something important to ask of him.
“I saw Ivy Butz today, and she said Sparks is doing well.”
“Ah, now there’s some good news. Yes, I believe Sparks comes to the hospital tomorrow, if able. Can you be there?”
“Wouldn’t miss.”
“Good, very good.”
“I’m calling on Tillie and Doug in the morning. Lillie’s going with me.”
“Grand idea.”
“I was hoping to invite them to Thursday’s little gathering.”
“Excellent. I must say, I’m looking forward to Thursday.”
“I’ll serve apéritifs in the back garden, weather permitting. It will be a pleasant time. What you think?”
“Good, yes.” Hugh lifted his forkful of lamb to his mouth and munched.
Good, Berdie thought. We’re moving on.
She now considered her agreement with the Raheems: seeking out the whereabouts of Sundeep. She knew Hugh would not be keen on it. But she thought to present herself in an entirely different manner. Her postcard from Angela Rockledge, though she had discarded it yesterday, could make a good excuse to go to the London area.
“And I wanted to ask you, Hugh.”
“Yes?”
“Angela Rockledge is giving a lecture at St. Paul’s, Slough, on Wednesday, and Lillie and I should like to attend.”
“Reverend Rockledge? But you two never see eye to eye. It’s always fireworks between you both. Mind you, I’ve had to put out a few fires of my own with her.”
“It’s just that she’s sent a personal invitation.”
“That landed in the rubbish?” Hugh nodded toward the bin, and then took a drink of water.
Berdie raised her eyebrows. “Oh.” She made a hasty stab at digging herself out of this metaphorical hole. “I’ve reconsidered.”
“Listen, love, I know this mess has been hard on you as well. Actually, a day out for you and Lillie may be just the thing. It could be worth it simply to hear what dear Angela is on about this time.”
“There’s a Q and A after.”
Hugh pointed his empty fork at Berdie. “No questions, nor answers, nor any discussion in the least between you and Angela. Your word sparring would lead only to the need of extending apologies to the good people of…”
“St. Paul’s, Slough.”
“Yes, Slough.”
“On my word, Hugh, no word spars.”
“Right. Well then, while you’re there, you and Lillie must have lunch out as well.”
Berdie ran a finger cross Hugh’s chin. “Now that I can do with nary a thought of sparring at all.”
****
Morning meditation, prayers, exercise, and breakfast behind her, Berdie swept into the guest bedroom Tillie had inhabited.
She had several church activities scheduled today, but visiting Tillie and Doug first thing was her special task.
Sure enough, on the bedside chest was a library book, and earrings, just as Tillie had said.
She stuffed them into her shopping bag that also held Tillie’s wrapped gift and rushed down the stairs, out the front door, and hurried the entire length of the High Street to the village green where Kirkwood Green B and B stood in a stately manor just cross the grassy expanse.
Lillie had agreed to meet Berdie at the bed and breakfast at 9:15 AM. Berdie hoped she would be punctual. After the upheaval of Doug and Tillie’s departure, Berdie wanted all to go well.
“I met with Sharday Raheem yesterday afternoon,” Lillie informed when Berdie met her just inside the door of the B and B. “I’ve so much to tell you.”
“And I want to hear it all, once we do what’s at hand at the moment.”
“Hello, Mrs. Elliott, Lillie,” Cherry Lawler greeted. Her bright smile was just what you would expect from the young wife who, along with her husband, Jeffry, owned and operated the gracious country home-cum-bed and breakfast.
“Mr. Devlin’s expecting you. I’ll just let him know that you’re here.”
Cherry had the scent of grilled bacon about her, a leftover from preparing breakfast for her guests, no doubt. The band she wore in her pixy-cut blonde hair contrasted with the colorful apron that covered her petite body.
“The sitting room’s open. There’s hot tea and coffee available on the tray at the sideboard.” She pointed to the cozy room that had no fire in the inglenook but was warm with sunlight that streamed through glass double doors overlooking a terrace.
Berdie and Lillie stepped into the cheery room when the clatter of Doug wheeling his way into the reception hall sounded.
“Your guests are here, Mr. Devlin,” Cherry chirped.
“Good morning,” Doug offered as he entered the sitting room. He looked rather tired.
“Doug, I hope we find you well.” Berdie’s voice was summery as she and Lillie sat on the sofa. “Sleeping soundly, I should hope.”
“As well as can be expected.” He rolled to the double doors and rapped on one.
Berdie spied Tillie, in exercise gear, doing stretches on the terrace. Her hair pulled back, the body-hugging spandex she w
ore showed her figure well and had an open neckline that bared her upper chest. Berdie couldn’t help but notice the large red line of thick horizontal scar tissue now made visible by that neckline.
Berdie heard Lillie lightly gasp.
Tillie looked at her father, who pointed to Berdie.
“Come in, love,” he said in high volume.
The young woman, instinctively it seemed, put her hand over the unattractive area and grabbed a nearby fleece jumper, which she quickly put on, covering the mark.
Berdie glanced at Lillie, who returned the stare with eyebrows raised. It was obvious to Berdie that both she and Lillie wanted to know what had caused the unsightly blemish, yet it seemed rude to ask.
Tillie moved to the door, opened it, and stepped into the sitting room.
“Getting ready for a morning run,” Tillie announced.
Yes, Berdie remembered her occasional morning runs when she was still a guest in her home.
“Your regular exercise?” Lillie asked with a smile.
“I shouldn’t say regular, no. Only as often as I’ve time for,” Tillie quipped.
“We won’t be long.” Berdie pulled the earrings and book from her shopping bag and set them on the coffee table. When she did, two photos fluttered from inside the book and landed on the polished wood floor.
Berdie picked them up. The first picture was a family portrait. Doug, pride written on his face, in naval uniform, stood next to a seated attractive woman who dressed in trendy clothes for the time. A young lad sat in her lap. Berdie assumed the woman to be Doug’s wife and the boy, a son. Young Tillie wore a sweet smile, her golden hair in curls as she stood next her father. The portrait was obviously taken of the family before Doug’s injuries.
“What a charming family portrait.” Lillie cocked her head to see it. “You must be very proud of your children, Mr. Devlin.”
“Child,” Tillie corrected. “My brother isn’t with us anymore.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Lillie apologized.
Tillie sighed. “Unfortunately, there was a childhood accident.”
“I’ve not heard you speak of your brother before,” Berdie said with a slightly diffident tone while handing the photo to Tillie.
“No, you wouldn’t,” Doug mumbled and looked at Tillie.
“It benefits no one,” she said. “Needless to say, he left us too early. We loved him dearly.”
“Of course you did.” Berdie worked to rescue this conversation that seemed to have taken a sad turn.
She reached down and retrieved the second photo from the floor. It was Doug and young Tillie. He had his arm round her shoulders, both wearing outdoor gear, both sporting huge smiles. And beyond rugged terrain about them, a dazzling blue sky set it off. “Well, the two of you look ready for a celebration in this picture.”
“Oh, yes.” Doug pulled forward, eying the snap. “That’s when we reached the summit of Mt. Snowden.”
Berdie passed the picture over to Doug.
“Quite an accomplishment,” Lillie cheered.
“Just one of our many conquests.” Tillie rather beamed. “Let’s see, we hiked in Scotland…”
“And Ireland,” Doug added.
“Yes, and the Pennines. All through the Lake District. Where didn’t we go?”
“Sounds lovely,” Berdie chirped.
“Dad was Sir Edmund Hillary and I was his Sherpa Tenzing.” Tillie laughed.
Doug’s smile widened as he drew a finger cross the photo. “Marvelous, that was. Mind you, young as she was, Tillie seemed to never tire, never complained anyway. She was half mountain goat.”
“Only half? Who did you think made the cloven hoof marks in our back garden after that climb?”
Everyone grinned while Doug handed the photo to his daughter.
Lillie eyed the book. “Cloak of Deception,” Lillie read the title out loud. “Sounds like a good mystery.”
“Yes, it is,” Tillie asserted. “Required reading for a class I’m taking.”
“Is it?” Doug stared at Tillie.
Tillie took up the book and earrings. She held them to her chest. “It’s an online class, Dad. Don’t you remember? I told you.”
“Did you?” Doug’s gaze drifted to the coffee table. “I, I must have forgotten.”
Something seemed painfully awkward. Was Doug’s medication creating blanks in his memory?
“I must get on,” Tillie announced.
“Oh.” Berdie grabbed the gift from the bag and stood. “This is just something for you, Tillie. I thought you might enjoy it.”
“How kind. Thank you, Mrs. Elliott.” Tillie took the gift-wrapped box while Doug turned his wheelchair toward the sitting-room door.
“Before we go, I have an invitation I’d like to extend to you both. I’m having the rowing team for dinner Thursday, round seven, and I’d love for you both to come.”
Tillie looked at her father, who had stopped at the doorway.
He put his gaze on Berdie. “Chad’s coming?”
“Well, he has been invited. But I’ve invited others as well, including Natty Bell and her niece, Sandra.” Berdie watched for Doug’s reaction.
He perked, but not quite as much as Berdie had hoped. “Sandra? Really? Well, yes, I’d say Tillie and I would love to come. Right, love?”
“If you like, Dad.”
Doug smoothed his hair with a finger. “We’ll be there. Thank you, Mrs. Elliott, Miss Foxworth. That’s me off then.”
When Doug left the room, Tillie watched after him. “Who’s Sandra?” she asked Berdie.
“A woman he met Sunday at church. He sat next her.”
“A very available woman,” Lillie added as she stood.
Berdie glared at Lillie.
“Available?” Tillie sounded a bit alarmed.
“Unattached might be a better word,” Berdie quickly corrected.
Lillie stammered. “Oh, yes, what I mean to say is that she’s very kind, modest, thoughtful, and single,” Lillie explained. “It seems your father may rather fancy her.”
“Does he?” Tillie was less than joyful. “Does she have any interest in Dad?”
“It appeared so.” Berdie’s grin slowly faded as she watched Tillie shake her head.
“We’re only here until this investigation moves on, you know. Then Daddy can get back to where he’s comfortable.”
“Well, yes, but I thought…”
“Thank you for bringing my things, Mrs. Elliott, and for the gift.”
Berdie paused. “You’re welcome of course, Tillie.
“Enjoy the rest of your day. Please excuse me.”
“God go with you,” Berdie called after the departing woman.
“I should have thought Tillie would love for her father to make a female acquaintance, even if it is just for an evening.” Lillie frowned.
“I didn’t consider how she would feel about this.” Berdie took the handles of her shopping bag with both hands. “I should have thought. Tillie: the little protective mother. Had I considered, I would have approached things a bit differently.”
“Does she think Sandra, whom he met at church, will ravish her father on an evening, and then throw him to the wolves?”
“Once she meets Sandra, she’ll feel much more comfortable about it all.”
“That was certainly quick.” Cherry Lawler stuck her head around the corner. “Did anyone get any tea?”
“Sometimes it seems the rush of modern life is all jingling bells and whirling dervishes, Cherry.” Berdie spun her finger in a circle. “No tea had by anyone, and Lillie and I must get on as well.”
“Event planning,” Lillie added. “London calling,” she whispered Berdie’s way.
As if on cue, Lillie’s mobile sang out. “Hello?” she answered.
“You see, Cherry?” Berdie clipped. “Jingling bells.”
“Oh my,” Lillie squeaked. “Yes, I’m so sorry. I’ll be right there.” She dropped the mobile back into her bag. “Music lesson resche
duled. Mrs. Hazelgrove. I completely forgot. Must run.” Lillie took aim for the door. “We’ll speak tomorrow, Berdie, yes, tomorrow.”
“See you then.” Berdie looked after the friend who skittered out the front door.
“What was that you said, Mrs. Elliott, about whirling dervishes?” Cherry chuckled. “Well, I hope all the events you’re planning go smoothly,” she offered. “And prayers for the commander as well. I understand the dog visits him tomorrow. Let’s hope it’s a tonic for both.”
Berdie took a deep breath. “From your mouth to God’s ear, dear Cherry, to God’s ear.”
8
“Doesn’t he look much healthier?” Milton asked Berdie.
“Actually, he’s still very delicate. He’s not regained consciousness as yet.”
“Sorry, Mrs. Elliott, I don’t mean the commander. I mean Sparks.”
“Milty.” Martha’s tone was irritation let loose.
“Still. Doesn’t Sparks look better than the last time you saw him, Mrs. Elliott? He’s eating some, you know.”
“Oh, Sparks. Of course that’s who you mean. Yes, much improved. You and Martha have done wonderfully.”
Berdie stood, flanked by Milton and Martha Butz, behind the protective glass that guarded Commander Cedric Royce’s intensive-care room.
A policeman, Cedric’s assigned protector, sat in a chair near the door. He glanced occasionally at Berdie and crew.
The early-morning sun filtered through the half-opened blinds of the single window that brightened the cubicle.
Mr. Hayling, the civil servant from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, was responsible to liaise with the hospital for animal therapy. He stood inside the room’s entry, Sparks next him on a lead. The small man with a kindly smile gently led the barely mobile Sparks to Cedric’s bedside. Despite his splinted leg, bandaged midsection, and stitched head, Sparks was certainly more alert than when Berdie last saw him at the vet’s.
Hugh and Rollie stood at the end of the bed, watchfully scrutinizing Sparks.
“How’s it going?” Loren, in his hospital garb, came behind Berdie and peered over her shoulder.
“Just starting,” Berdie answered. “On duty, are you?”
“Indeed. But I had to come to cheer the process on.”
“Mr. Hayling told us how Sparks came to belong to the commander,” Milton quipped.
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