by Clara Benson
‘Perhaps it wasn’t hers,’ said Freddy. ‘A lot of people were in and out that night. Perhaps someone left it there by mistake. Not I, of course,’ he went on hurriedly, at the sight of the inspector’s suspicious expression. ‘I never touch it myself.’
‘Well, there’ll be a lot less of it about now we’ve caught the Carelli gang,’ said Entwistle. He stood up and prepared to go out. ‘By the way, that friend of yours—the tall one with the teeth. You might try and keep him in check. He’s been getting in the way of our officers in the execution of their duty.’
‘I only wish I could help, inspector,’ said Freddy, ‘but he’s nothing to do with me. They keep him under lock and key at the Herald as a rule, but sometimes he gnaws through his chains and gets out. I suggest you speak to them.’
‘Hmm,’ said Entwistle, and departed.
‘That was quite a story you got, thanks to Mr. Cosgrove,’ remarked Sergeant Bird.
‘Yes, it was, wasn’t it?’ said Freddy. ‘I don’t think he caught my best side, though. A chap never looks at his finest when he’s dangling upside-down from a rooftop. Still, trust the police to turn up just in time. I have a gift for many things—or so my mother tells me—but flying isn’t one of them.’
He saluted the sergeant and went out. In the street he bumped into Corky Beckwith, who was hovering around with a notebook.
‘Ah, Freddy,’ he said. ‘None the worse for your little adventure of the other day, I see. What a story—and what a stroke of luck for you!’
‘I can’t say it felt like that at the time,’ said Freddy.
‘No? I dare say you haven’t been in the business long enough. Give it a few more years and I promise you’ll lose all sense of fear.’
‘And shame, no doubt.’
‘Oh, that,’ said Corky dismissively, with a wave of the hand. ‘Still, I’ve obviously taught you well. It doesn’t quite match my triumph at catching the Kibbles single-handedly, but it’s not bad, not bad at all. I do believe I shall have to keep an eye on you, or I might have to start looking to my laurels—although I don’t think I need worry just yet.’
‘Rubbish,’ said Freddy.
‘Nothing of the sort. Remind me to tell you of the time I escaped from a gang of murderous boat-thieves. They were all set to tie me to an anchor and throw me into the sea, but I managed to overpower them using a trick I learned from a chap in Singapore, then jumped overboard and swam to shore. That little story kept me going for weeks, and earned me honorary life membership of the Hunstanton Boat Builders’ Association. They still send me their quarterly journal, and I do believe I shall never have to pay for dinner in Norfolk again.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘Oh, is that the time already? I’ll be late if I don’t hurry.’
‘Where are you going?’
‘Bloomsbury,’ said Corky. ‘I’m due to attend a meeting of the Women’s Poetry Society. Terrible things are afoot there, I understand.’
He strode off with a wave, and Freddy headed back towards Fleet Street. Outside the Clarion building he saw Gussie Lippincott, who beamed at the sight of him.
‘They said you were out, and I thought I’d missed you,’ she said. ‘I was just coming to say goodbye. Seymour and I are going to America. Dickie Sanders has decided he doesn’t want the job at the magazine after all, so Seymour is taking his place. Isn’t it simply thrilling?’
Freddy duly gave his congratulations.
‘But what shall you do?’ he said. ‘I’m sorry about For Every Yesterday, by the way.’
She sighed.
‘Yes, it’s all been rather tiresome,’ she said. ‘They’ve postponed it indefinitely. I don’t know whether the thing will ever be made now, but I’ve decided to stop thinking about it. I shall parade myself around the studios and see if I can’t get a part or two. Ken is going to put in a good word for me.’
‘You’re taking it very well.’
‘Of course I am,’ she said. ‘I haven’t got the part, but neither has anybody else. But it shall be mine one day, I’m certain of it. I was born to play Helen Harper, and as soon as they decide to start production again I shall be there, demanding they give me the rôle. I won’t be thwarted.’
‘I suppose this whole mess has left a lot of people disappointed,’ said Freddy. ‘What about Robert Kenrick? This film was a big opportunity for him, too. Is he going to Hollywood?’
‘Not yet,’ said Gussie. ‘A little bird told me the other day that he’s got another part practically in the bag here in London. He and Sarah are getting married soon, and she’s going to look after the business side of his career. I’m so pleased—he’s a darling, and tremendously talented, but he simply hasn’t the head for this sort of thing. She’ll take care of him and see he doesn’t come to harm. You know that Basil had been pushing dope onto him? Sarah will put a stop to all that.’
‘I’m glad to hear it,’ said Freddy.
‘Anyway, I’m so pleased I’ve caught you,’ she said. ‘You will look out for me in all the film magazines, won’t you? I’m going to be quite disgustingly famous.’
‘I have no doubt of it,’ he said.
They smiled at one another for a moment.
‘Well, goodbye, then,’ she said.
She stepped forward and gave him a kiss that was a little more than just friendly.
‘I can see Seymour is going to have his hands full with you,’ said Freddy, when she stepped back again.
She giggled.
‘I know, I’m the most awful flirt,’ she said. ‘I can’t help it. But so are you.’
‘Oh, well,’ he said. ‘There’s no harm in a little fun.’
‘I agree entirely,’ she said. ‘And now I simply must run. Seymour wants to take some photographs before we go.’
She squeezed his hand and hurried off. Freddy watched her until she was out of sight, then turned into the Clarion building. Lady Featherstone was on the committee of the Women’s Poetry Society, he seemed to remember. If there really were terrible things afoot, then he had better speak to Jolliffe, and quickly.
If you’d like to receive news of further releases by Clara Benson, you can sign up to my mailing list here.
Or follow me on Facebook.
New to Freddy? Read more about him in the Angela Marchmont mysteries.
