Murder by Mistake

by Veronica Heley

  Getting out, Ellie said, ‘You’ve got our booking for tomorrow morning, haven’t you? Three people to be collected from my house about eleven twenty, to get us to the church in good time for the wedding at twelve.’

  ‘Will do.’

  Ellie noticed a large white van parked a little way down the road. She shivered. Then she told herself she was getting paranoid, seeing white vans everywhere, even though they were a common enough sight on the roads. This one, she told herself, had nothing to do with her previous near-miss from being run over.

  Ursula was already there, with a group containing two children: a toddler in a youngish woman’s arms, and a plain little girl with an arm in a plaster cast. The other bridesmaid, what was her name? Sandy.

  Hawkface – Sam – was there of course, chatting to an older man who must be Ursula’s father, and a couple of younger men, one of whom must be Sam’s best man.

  As they greeted everyone, Thomas – still in civvies – came out of the church, smiling, laughing, looking at his watch. ‘We’re on time. Good. You’ve brought the printed Order of Service with you? Splendid. Put the packet on the table at the back, just inside the door, will you?’

  One of the men peeled off from the group to take a package inside the church. The best man? An usher? A roly-poly, good-natured looking man.

  Ursula hugged and kissed Mia and introduced her to little Sandy, who was both shy and plain. Mia held out the basket of flowers. ‘This is for you, poppet. You can hang it round your neck or carry it in your hand. What do you think?’

  ‘It’s lovely. Thank you.’ An American accent, a shy smile revealing braces on her teeth. Today Sandy was wearing a brightly coloured T-shirt and floppy shorts. She was the sort of child who would get left out when her mates picked sides for a game.

  Mrs Belton ignored her ex-husband and his family to stalk into the church. ‘Let me make it clear that I do not intend to share the front pew with anyone else.’

  The best man raised his eyebrows, but everyone else accepted that this was what Mrs Belton was like, and that they might as well put up with it.

  Ellie liked the look of Ursula’s father, a big, strongly built man with a lively eye. His second wife was not as young as she’d looked from a distance, but also seemed intelligent and kindly.

  Marge clung to Ellie’s arm till she suggested that Rose take her into the back of the church. ‘I’ll join you in a minute.’

  Thomas urged a early start, and the party began to dribble through into the church. Mia got down to the level of the little bridesmaid, to explain to her how they were to walk together behind the bride.

  Ursula reached out to take Ellie’s arm and said in her ear, ‘Did Ahmed ring you? Ever since I talked to him, I’ve been thinking about Billy. Do you think he’s gone off his rocker?’

  ‘Sounds like it.’

  Mr Belton offered his arm to Ursula. ‘Come along, my dear. I’ve been looking forward to this.’

  Ursula gave him a brilliant smile, but whispered – quickly, urgently – to Ellie, ‘I thought I saw Billy on the other side of the road just now. Can you keep an eye out for him?’ She took her father’s arm, collected her bridesmaids, and led the way into the church.

  Ellie cast a wild glance around and spotted a couple of bystanders gawping on the other side of the road. There was no sign of a scruffy young man, which is how Billy had been described to her. Perhaps he’d smartened himself up and was the man walking a dog along the opposite pavement? No. Man and dog turned off into a side road. Besides, nobody had mentioned that Billy had a dog, had they? She wished she knew what he looked like.

  She could hear Thomas talking inside the church and went in herself, leaving the doors open behind her. The church was large and shadowy, with a polished tiled floor. A huge stand of white flowers had been arranged by the font just inside the door, and another, even larger, up by the altar. The florist had done a good job.

  This church was a lot later in date than the one in which Ellie used to worship. This one had chairs rather than pews, and a grand piano as well as a big organ. One or two people wandered around, fitting new candles into brass candlesticks, polishing the brass lectern.

  Thomas talked to the bridal party up by the altar, showing them where to stand and what to do. Ursula and Sam were holding hands. Nice.

  Marge caught hold of Ellie’s arm. ‘Can’t you do something? He didn’t do it, I tell you!’

  ‘Come outside where we can talk.’

  Thomas’s laugh rang out through the church, followed by a ripple of amusement from the rest of the party.

  Ellie led Marge out to the porch. ‘Now, calm down and tell me exactly what’s happened.’

  ‘That policeman yesterday, the one with the red ears, he wouldn’t listen when I tried to tell him that her next door had lots of visitors, and that Denis was there every week. Denis kept contradicting me, saying his were purely pastoral visits, and that I was always half cut by six in the evening and didn’t know what day of the week it was. He’s scary, isn’t he?’

  There were tears in her ears which she wiped away. ‘I tried to keep calm, I really did, but I could see the policeman was taking Denis’s side, and in the end I told him that it was Denis’s boys who’d trashed the place, and Denis said that was slander, and he’d be writing to his solicitors to sue me if I repeated it.’

  Ellie put a comforting arm around Marge. ‘He is scary. I agree.’

  ‘The policeman said they’d ask the neighbours about people calling next door and Denis said he’d be off, and he went out of the door talking to the policeman, and they were laughing, and I got myself another little drink because it was all just too awful, wasn’t it? Then Duncan came, and I’d forgotten he was coming and hadn’t anything to give him for supper, and he was upset because he’d liked Mrs Summers and been in and out of her house for years, helping with this and that. He’s a good boy, you know, never given me a minute’s trouble. He said he’d seen other men going in and out over the past year or so since her husband died, and we talked a bit about them, trying to work out how many there were and what they looked like.

  ‘Then he went off to get some fish and chips in his van—’

  ‘His van?’

  Marge stared. ‘Yes, of course. His van. He’s a carpet fitter, delivers and fits carpets all over this side of West London, works for a firm out at Uxbridge. Been doing it for years.’

  ‘A white van?’

  ‘Yes. Not one of the largest or the newest, but yes; a white van. Why?’

  Ellie thought, No. This can’t the same van. Can it? ‘No reason. Carry on.’

  ‘When he came back the police were waiting for him, because the neighbours had said they’d seen him around a lot in his van, going in and out of Mrs Summers’ house, and the police wanted to know what he’d been doing last night and he, well, he lost his temper a bit because he’s always had a short fuse, and I must admit we’d both had a little drink before he went out for the food. So there was an argument, and it got a bit heated, and I’m not sure who pushed who first, but they breathalysed him, arrested him, and took him away, and now I don’t know what to do because he didn’t kill her but they think he did!’

  ‘I understand,’ said Ellie, thinking about the hazards of drinking, driving, and having a short temper. ‘From the police point of view, you must admit—’

  ‘It was only a small glass he had. Well, maybe two.’

  ‘What about the list you were making of her other visitors?’

  ‘I took it out to the police while they were arguing with Duncan and tried to give it to them, but they were shouting and laughing, pleased with themselves, didn’t want to know what I had to say . . .’ Tears began to streak her cheeks. ‘They said I was drunk, which I wasn’t. I hardly touch alcohol nowadays.’

  ‘Of course.’ Ellie gave Marge a hug. ‘Well, what I suggest is that we get my solicitor on the job. As soon as we’ve finished here, you must come back with us and I’ll ring him. It’s a Friday
night, but he ought to be able to get someone working on it. They’ll listen to him, even if they won’t to us.’

  Marge sought for a hankie in her handbag, sniffing, still crying. ‘I can’t afford—’

  ‘I can, and if I can do anything to upset Denis, I’d be only too happy to do so.’

  Marge blew her nose, sniffed, tried to smile. ‘He’s a bully, isn’t he?’

  ‘First class.’

  There was a stir in church, and down the aisle came Ursula on Sam’s arm, followed by her bridesmaids and the rest of the wedding party, all laughing and chatting except for Mrs Belton, who almost trod on Mia’s heels in her anxiety not to brush against her ex-husband. Tomorrow, of course, the bridegroom’s parents would be there as well, and Mrs B would be able to make her exit on the arm of the groom’s father.

  ‘Everyone happy?’ said Thomas, following them all out. ‘Any questions? The organist has your choice of hymns and so on?’

  ‘I can hardly wait,’ said Sam, putting his arm around Ursula.

  ‘Me neither,’ said Ursula, smiling a promise at him.

  ‘Well, now. Who’s needing a lift?’

  ‘My car’s just around the corner—’

  Ursula picked up her little sister. ‘Isn’t this going to be fun? Mia, would you like to come back with us? We’re having a family “do” at the Thai restaurant in the Avenue.’

  Mia shook her head. ‘I’m helping Rose cook for our lot tonight.’

  ‘Count me out,’ said Mrs Belton, ‘but I could do with a lift back to the Avenue if anyone’s going my way.’ It was an order, not a request. The roly-poly usher nodded her towards his car, and she made a stately exit.

  The party began to thin out, some going round the corner, some walking the other way. Thomas led the way to his car, followed by Rose and Marge, while Ellie waited for Mia to have a last word with Ursula.

  And then . . .

  Woosh!

  A roar from a powerful engine, a squeal from mistreated tyres. A woman’s scream. A man’s hoarse shout.

  ‘Mia!’

  Someone ran across the road, right across the traffic, aiming for Mia with arm upraised, straight into the path of the white van.

  There was a dull thud.

  A limp figure was tossed up into the air and fell to the pavement. A heavy walking stick fell from his hand.

  A woman screamed.

  The van accelerated and drove off, turning left into the traffic on the main road ahead.

  Ellie clutched Mia. Or Mia clutched her.

  ‘Mia! Are you all right?’

  Mia nodded, unable to speak, eyes on the life-sized rag doll at their feet.

  Ursula had seen what had happened, was running back.

  Sam had his mobile out, summoning help.

  Ellie was trembling. She told herself she was all right.

  Thomas caught hold of her. ‘You’re not hurt?’

  She nodded.

  Someone was still screaming. Well, it wasn’t her, and no, it wasn’t Mia.

  Rose was on her knees by the rag doll lying on the pavement. There was some blood, not much. Thomas knelt, too.

  Marge pulled on Sam’s sleeve. ‘I think I got the number.’

  He passed his phone to her, and she gave the number to the police.

  Mia said, ‘Oh, no! It’s Billy! He’s not badly hurt, is he?’

  Thomas said, ‘Don’t try to move him.’

  Mia knelt on the pavement. ‘Poor Billy. He saw me and ran right across the road in front of the van. Oh, this is dreadful! Is he very badly hurt?’

  Rose took Mia’s arm and tried to pull her away. Mia resisted. ‘I’m not leaving him. He’s not dead, is he?’

  ‘No,’ said Thomas. ‘He’s coming round, I think. But don’t try to move him.’

  Mia stroked his hand. ‘Don’t give up, Billy. I’m here. Just hang on. The ambulance will be here in a minute.’

  Billy opened his eyes and tried to speak, but failed. He seemed to recognize her . . .

  I didn’t really want you to die, Mia. That was a mistake. I love you . . .

  Blood trickled out of the corner of his mouth. His eyes went dull and dark, but remained open.

  ‘Oh, no!’ Mia wept.

  Ellie looked at Ursula, and the girl looked back at her. Steadily. With meaning.

  Should they say anything about Billy’s mental health problems? Or about the heavy walking stick which he’d been holding, raised in the air, ready to hit Mia as soon as he got close enough? If he’d been responsible for the recent threats to Mia, then there would be no more of them in future. Did Mia need to know what they suspected?

  Ellie helped Mia to stand and turned her away from the body on the pavement. ‘Come and sit down.’

  Thomas was praying in a low voice.

  Rose took charge. ‘We’ll have to wait for the police and the ambulance people, but there’s no need for us all to stand around, is there? Why doesn’t everyone go back into the church and sit down till they arrive?’

  EIGHTEEN

  Friday evening

  It was after eight before Thomas managed to cram everyone into his car and drive home. Luckily no one needed to be checked out in hospital this time.

  Rose got out first, yawning and stretching.

  Mia followed her, sighing. ‘Poor Billy. He was so very alone in the world.’

  Rose got out her key. ‘Supper. How soon do you think we can get it on the table?’ She opened the door into the house.

  Ellie helped Marge out of the car. ‘We’ll ring my solicitor now. You’ll come in, won’t you?’

  Marge grimaced. ‘I could murder a glass of wine.’

  Thomas locked up the car, and Ellie glanced around. Nobody was creeping through the bushes tonight. No other cars were there, so the Party Planner and his cohorts must have departed for the day. Presumably Diana wouldn’t return till much later.

  Once inside, Ellie showed Marge where to wash and brush up. Thomas put his arms around Ellie and held her close. She did the same to him, resting her head on his shoulder. Such a comforting embrace. No need for words.

  Ellie released herself at last. ‘I’ll go and change upstairs.’

  ‘I’ll see if Midge is back.’

  Friday night

  A trying evening, full of tiredness and failed attempts to be bright.

  Supper was absent-mindedly eaten in the kitchen. Marge was connected with Ellie’s solicitor, who discovered that the police had only charged Marge’s son with being drunk in charge of a vehicle, and not with murder. He was to be released next day on bail, pending further enquiries – by which, presumably, they meant the murder. Marge cried a lot and drank half a bottle of wine before being soothed to bed in the room little Frank used when he stayed over.

  Mia seemed none the worse for her outing, though she did wipe her eyes now and then and say she must remember to pray for Billy. Rose annoyed everyone by saying there was nothing like a spot of bother to make you grateful to be alive.

  Ellie told herself that all their worries were over. Weren’t they? Well, except for the Denis and Diana problem.

  After supper Thomas avoided their usually comfortable sitting room, as it had been denuded of everything that made it homely but went up to spend time in his quiet room.

  Ellie didn’t join him upstairs, being too agitated to sit still. Under normal circumstances she would have calmed herself down by doing some gardening; dead-heading and weeding were therapeutic. But today she couldn’t even get at the garden properly. Instead she paced the marquee for an hour. She told herself there was nothing more she could do. The police were trying to track down the white van at that very minute. She told herself to stop worrying and leave everything to them.

  She tried ringing Denis. He wasn’t in the flat he’d been sharing with Diana, nor with his wife, Valerie. Or ex-wife. Whichever. Would he turn up at the registry office tomorrow? What could Ellie do to stop Diana committing herself to him?

  Answer: nothing.

/>   Diana didn’t return home. She’d probably be out till the small hours.

  ‘Come up to bed,’ said Thomas, holding out his hand to her. ‘You must be worn out.’

  ‘Yes. No.’ She climbed the stairs beside him. Their bedroom had been cleaned and polished to within an inch of its life. This was where Ursula and Sam would change into their honeymoon kit on the morrow.

  Thomas said, watching her, ‘I’ll be glad when it’s all over.’

  ‘Yes, the disruption is tiresome.’

  ‘I did try to get some information at the registry office, but the top bod was off and no one seemed able to tell me anything. Perhaps I should have tried harder.’

  ‘I don’t think it would have made any difference. She’s set on having him.’ Her voice tailed away as she got ready for bed. She showered, brushed her teeth, got into bed. Her eyes were wide open.

  Thomas got in beside her and turned out the centre light.

  ‘Thomas; both times when I was with Mia, she was on the inside and I was walking next to the kerb.’

  ‘I was afraid of that.’

  She tried to make it clearer. ‘I was the target, not her.’

  He nodded. ‘It’s giving me the heebie-jeebies. Do you know why? Or who?’

  ‘It wasn’t Billy, that’s for sure. I don’t think he even saw the van coming at us this evening. He only had eyes for Mia. He was coming at her with that stick in his hand. I suppose he meant to attack her only the van got to him first. So who was driving the van?’

  ‘I was talking to Ursula when I heard it start up and looked around . . . Did you see who was driving the white van when you called on Mia’s mother?’

  ‘It was behind me at first, and when I looked up I couldn’t see inside. The window was tinted. Then I jumped into the bushes. The minicab driver didn’t see, either, although I suppose the police will ask him about it now.’

  ‘Was it the same white van?’

  ‘I don’t know. It was past me and gone in a flash. No markings, but a lot of them don’t have markings on, do they? Rented, I suppose.’

  ‘They’ll find him now they’ve got the licence number. Thanks to Marge. Her liver may be in a bad state, but her mind’s sharp enough.’