The Dudleys of Budleigh

by P A Nash

  Chapter 18 – A Star in the Heavens

  “Daniel Moore, you are under arrest for the murder of Anthony Buckerell!” WPC Knowle stood up and manoeuvred herself out of the second row.

  “I think not,” shouted Doctor Moore.

  He pushed past the statuesque Dudleys and made his way towards the main exit at the rear of the auditorium. PC Hydon stood in his way.

  “Not so fast, sir. You’re going nowhere. Stand exactly where you are!”

  Doctor Moore ignored his command. He double–backed towards the stage. The four Dudleys scattered to all the points of the compass. Doreen Weston screamed. Mrs Aylesbeare had taken her phone out and was filming every second of the action with a delighted smile on her face.

  Doctor Moore clambered up the side steps and tried to push despairingly past Frank.

  Frank did not budge so he moved towards centre stage before heading towards the rear of the stage. The scenery flaps were in his way.

  WPC Knowle and Frank advanced towards him. He grabbed hold of Ella from behind. “Move away! If you get too close, I’ll hurt her, really hurt her.”

  Frank stopped frozen to the spot. WPC Knowle paused her advance and shouted to PC Hydon. “Alf, call for back—up. Now!!!”

  Doctor Moore shuffled backwards again towards the scenery flaps. He pushed with his foot looking for a gap and a possible getaway. As he did so, Ella forced all her weight down—wards and stabbed both her feet on Doctor Moore’s trailing foot. Instinctively he let go so he could hit out at her. Ella beat him to it. She kicked him in the one place she was certain he would not appreciate being kicked in. Doctor Moore screamed out an Anglo—Saxon sounding word and tumbled backwards into the scene flap.

  Ella rolled away from his grasp. Doctor Moore hit the floor but quickly stood back up. Then his feet began rising in the air and within a couple of seconds, his whole body had turned upside down. He continued rising in the air until he was suspended upside down about seven foot above the stage.

  “What the…‌ Get me down!”

  One of the ropes used to pull the scene flaps up and out of the audience’s sight had become wrapped around his legs. The more he struggled, the worse he became entangled. Everyone heard a creaking noise and Dudley Musbury appeared on stage.

  “That should keep him there until reinforcements arrive.”

  Ella burst out laughing. “Thank heavens for an untidy stage manager!”

  Doctor Moore still struggled but it only made matters worse.

  “Get me down.”

  Everyone just stood on stage and watched.

  “The blood’s rushing to my head.”

  Mrs Aylesbeare continued videoing on her phone.

  “I could get brain damage!”

  “Bit late for that,” said Dudley Musbury.

  Doctor Moore shook his body in an effort to break free. A clear plastic bag slipped from his pocket and landed on the stage.

  “Hello,” said PC Hydon, “What do we have here?” He picked up the bag and immediately recognised a syringe and a small test—tube full of a murky brown liquid.

  “Be careful, Alf,” said Frank. “I think that may be our conclusive evidence.”

  “Why don’t we inject the good doctor with it and see what happens in forty—eight hours time?” shouted Dudley Weston.

  “No. Don’t touch it,” screamed Doctor Moore, “you can’t kill a star.”

  “A star?” chortled Dudley Widworthy. “Well, I suppose, at this precise moment, you’re nearer to the heavens than we are!”

  “Yes, just one more star in the heavens!”

  “Except this one’s about to flicker and fade away.”

  Chapter 19 – Coffee at Earls

  Police reinforcements arrived swiftly from Exeter. They included the Assistant Chief Constable. The fire brigade and ambulance both attended the scene. They carefully released Doctor Moore from his rope entanglement and checked him over for any injuries. They found no more damage other than wounded pride. He was soon whisked away in a flurry of police cars to Exeter police station.

  ***

  “Well done, everybody. I thought my idea of community assistance would produce results.”

  Frank and Ella looked at each other and smiled.

  WPC Knowle and PC Hydon nodded and bit their tongues.

  ***

  The next day the four Dudleys of Budleigh along with Doreen, Alice, Ella and Frank spent some considerable time providing statements to the police. Alice’s video was transferred from her phone to a police tape. Ella surrendered her audio recording and both WPC Knowle and PC Hydon reassured them all that the evidence was certain to convict Doctor Daniel Moore of murder.

  ***

  A week later the eight of them sat together discussing the events of the past few weeks whilst drinking coffee at Earls.

  “Did any of you suspect Daniel Moore of murdering Anthony Buckerell?”

  The four Dudleys all shook their heads.

  “I thought it was one of you three,” said the Professor looking around at the three other Dudleys.

  “I was sure it was you, Frank,” said Dudley Weston. “I couldn’t understand how else he could have been killed.” He coughed and looked Frank straight in the eyes. “I’d like to apologise with all my heart for the anguish I caused you. Looking back now, it was unforgivable. I’d also like to thank you for your kind, supportive words to Totnes police. Because of you, they’ve dropped the charges. I’ve been let off with a warning not to do it again. I’ve given them my word I won’t!”

  “I will make sure he keeps his word,” said Doreen.

  “That cottage was a dump!” moaned Ella.

  “Not any more,” replied Doreen. “We’re doing it up. It’s our little project for the next year or so. It’s going to be our little bolt hole.”

  “Or our love nest,” smiled Dudley Weston.

  Ella thought the look on Doreen’s face was priceless.

  There was a moment of quietness punctuated by the clink of china cups and the slurping of hot coffee.

  “We’d been receiving some mysterious telephone calls whilst we were investigating Anthony’s death,” said Ella.

  “It was only during the trouble at the Public Hall that I realised who it was,” added Frank.

  “Daniel Moore?”

  “Yes, during our conversations with him he used the word bamboozled. I’ve only ever heard the word bamboozle a couple of times since we’ve been in Devon. And each time I heard it from him. He used it again at the Public Hall.”

  Frank nodded.

  “He may have been a good doctor but he was not a nice man,” said Dudley Widworthy, “Not once in my time with Mr Buckerell did I really think of killing him. I may have said it, I may have thought it, but I would never have carried it out. You just don’t do things like that.”

  “Daniel did.”

  “Yes, and look where it got him.”

  There was more clinking and slurping.

  “Another cup, anyone?” said Alice.

  More hot coffee was dispensed and Alice changed the subject. “How’s your wife, Mr Musbury?”

  “She’s making some good progress. She’s finally responding to the treatment they’ve been giving her. They’re thinking of a hip replacement. She may even be able to walk again one day.” There was light and life in Daniel Musbury’s eyes. Ella had never seen him like this before.

  “What about you, Alice? Any luck on the job front?” asked Ella.

  “I put some adverts in some of the law journals. I’ve had some enquiries from potentially interested parties. That’s all I’m prepared to say at present!”

  The conversation drifted on to lighter matters. There was even some laughter. There was a sense of relief that the whole ordeal was over and life could be looked forward to once again.

  “Now here’s a funny thing,” said Dudley Widworthy. “Now that Daniel’s unable to take the starring role in our forthcoming production, you’ll be pleased to know that we a
sked Dudley Musbury to take an acting part. He’s agreed to take on Dudley Weston’s role.”

  “What about Dudley Weston?” asked Ella.

  “Oh, don’t worry about him. He’s been offered Daniel’s star role. My Dudley’s going to be a star!” cried Doreen.

  Ella clapped her hands in delight.

  “Did I ever tell you about the time I was collecting plants in Tanzania when a herd of elephants came wandering my way?”

  “Yes!” chorused the other three Dudleys. “Many times!”

  There was laughter, heartfelt laughter whilst Dudley Gosford—Feniton looked momentarily confused. Then he shrugged his shoulders and joining in with the good—humoured atmosphere.

  Later, as they were preparing to leave the establishment, all four Dudleys raised a hand and asked for quiet.

  Dudley Weston was their spokesman. “On behalf of the Dudleys of Budleigh, I’d like to thank all of you, but especially Frank and Ella, for their hard work in solving our little problem. As a token of our appreciation, we’d like to invite you to join us at the Public Hall for next week’s opening night of the Budleigh Player’s production of Table for Four written and directed by Dudley Gosford—Feniton.”

  “Delighted!” cried Ella.

  ***

  A week later at a packed Public Hall a good time was had by all.

  Postscript

  If you want to help spread the word about the book, then I’d really appreciate it if you left a review on my Amazon book page. Please do it now!

  ***

  If you want to receive up to date information about the East Devon Cosy Mysteries please sign up for our newsletter. Newsletter subscribers will receive 6 walks in and around Sidmouth, an eBook that includes the walks Ella and Frank enjoyed in both The Dudleys of Budleigh and Cidered in Sidmouth.

  To subscribe and to find out more about Frank and Ella Raleigh and their East Devon Cosy Mysteries please visit East Devon Cosy Mysteries, the author’s website.

  ***

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  ***

  Thanks for reading the second book in the East Devon Cosy Mysteries series. The first book in the series, Cidered in Sidmouth can be bought here. The third book is called The Ottery Lottery. Look out for it soon!

  A Good Walk

  Solvitur Ambulando

  A Latin phrase meaning “it is solved by walking.” A good walk brings a new perspective on your problems and often allows you to solve them.

  ***

  West Down Beacon

  Difficulty – Moderate – Paths, tracks and quiet roads, some ascent and descent

  Start – Budleigh Salterton Public Hall — EX9 6RW

  Finish – Budleigh Salterton Public Hall

  Length – 3.8 miles (6.0 km)

  Summary – Inland, this walk travels along the route of the old railway line, through scenic woodland which is home to an abundance of wildlife, including bats and lizards. Along the coast, there are stunning red cliffs, and the remains of a signal station built to warn of enemy vessels during the Napoleonic Wars.

  Public Transport – Buses run regularly between Exmouth and Sidmouth, stopping at Knowle Corner and Little Knowle. For timetable information visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

  Nearest car park – At the Public Hall in Station Road, Budleigh Salterton. Postcode EX9 6RJ

  Nearest toilets – Behind the Public Hall.

  Nearest refreshments – In Budleigh Salterton, or the Dog and Donkey in Knowle

  Route Description

  1. From Budleigh Salterton’s Public Hall walk northwards up Station Road, carrying on along Moor Lane to come out at the top of Dark Lane, by the school.

  2. Turn right onto Dark Lane, and then almost immediately left, to carry on in the original direction up Bedlands Lane.

  3. From the top of Bedlands Lane turn left onto the B3178 and then right a moment later, to walk up Bear Lane.

  4. At the railway bridge pick up the cycle path on your left, leading towards Exmouth, and follow it through the woods to Castle Lane.

  This is part of the Budleigh—Exmouth Cycleway, which here runs along the former railway line which linked Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth.

  Work started on the railway line in 1899, and it took four years for the labourers to construct its numerous bridges and embankments and cut its path through Knowle Hill. They did this using picks and shovels, with the help of two ‘steam navvies’ — steam shovels — which they employed at either end of the cutting, to meet in the middle. The line never reached its full potential, however, and by the 1950s was scarcely used at all. In 1963 it fell foul of the infamous Beeching report, ‘The Reshaping of British Railways’ and the last train ran in 1967.

  As is the case elsewhere, however, the rail traveller’s loss is the walker’s and cyclist’s gain. Many of the former railway lines in the south–west have been redeployed as cycle paths and footpaths. Most of these are broad and flat and have been surfaced with tarmac, making the peaceful countryside they travel through accessible to a wide range of users.

  In a tidy piece of history, the Budleigh—Exmouth Cycleway was officially opened in 1998 by Lord Clinton, a relative of Mrs Williams—Drummond, daughter of Lady Gertrude Rolle and the honorary driver of the first train from Tipton St John to Budleigh, in 1897.

  The surrounding woods and hedges are home to a plethora of wildlife, including foxes and badgers, dormice and bats, adders and lizards, and butterflies, dragonflies and rare wood crickets.

  5. Turn left up onto the path to Castle Lane, turning onto the lane at the top to head roughly southwards.

  6. When Castle Lane turns sharply right, take the footpath ahead which continues in your direction, and follow this alongside the Golf Club for about a mile, ignoring the Littleham Church path which crosses yours, also ignoring the detours to the left shortly afterwards. Follow the waymarkers around to the right when they cross the golf course, turning off again to the left at the end.

  Be aware of the golfers around you and the possibility of flying balls as you cross the golf course, and keep dogs under control here.

  7. Turn left when you come to the South West Coast Path, and follow it for about three–quarters of a mile towards Budleigh Salterton.

  East Devon is particularly noteworthy for its red sandstone formations, dating back to the Triassic period, some 245— 240 million years ago. The red cliffs here are a sample of the stunning rock formations which have earned the ‘Jurassic Coast’ of East Devon and Dorset World Heritage status.

  At the highest point on this part of the coast, you will come to a trig point. This is West Down Beacon, once a fire beacon, and later a signal station during the Napoleonic Wars.

  By 1795, before the Napoleonic Wars began, Britain was already in conflict with France and the Admiralty needed a faster means of communication than the current system of horseback messengers. A network of signal stations was established, connecting the Admiralty in London with its fleet ports along the south coast. These included Dawlish Head and Berry Head on one side of West Down Beacon, and Peak Hill and Beer Head on the other.

  This was before the invention of the electrical telegraph, and the signalling system used was known as an optical telegraph, which required a direct line of sight between the signal stations. Standing on West Down Beacon on a good day, you can see why it was chosen: there is excellent visibility in all directions.

  Signals consisted of flags and balls, and the system warned merchant vessels as well as RN cruisers of where the French privateers where lurking. Signals used included: 1 ball above a flag for an enemy frigate or frigates; 2 balls above a flag for a small cruiser; 3 balls above a flag for an enemy vessel close under the land. Eventually, this system was replaced with a semaphore telegraph – a high pole with hinged signal arms, ironically devised by the French themselves during the Napole
onic Wars!

  The signal stations were also used to warn of suspected smuggling activities, and if goods were seized as a result of information received in this way, the signal station concerned would be entitled to a share of the booty.

  8. From West Down Beacon the Coast Path descends gently into Budleigh Salterton. Carry on along it, past the first few houses, until you come to an open green area. At the far end of this field turn left, to walk up Victoria Place and onto the B3178 road beyond.

  9. Turn right here, and then take the next left, into Station Road, to return to the start of the walk.

  Dedication

  To the whole Nash family — from Elsie’s Bow, Shan, Franklyn to Resource Angel.

  Love from PA.

  Acknowledgements

  Many of the places mentioned in this book do exist. Some of the places exist only in the figment of my imagination. I’ll leave it to you to come to East Devon and Budleigh Salterton, in particular, to find out which are which.

  About the Author

  PA Nash and his supportive wife moved to glorious East Devon nearly a decade ago having taken early retirement from his previous job in South East England. Not quite ready for a life of endless relaxation, PA has since dabbled as a website administrator for the South West Coast Path, an IT office assistant in a local school and a Wordpress website designer. This is his second cosy mystery book. The first, Cidered in Sidmouth is also available on the kindle from Amazon.

  ***

  I’ve read so many cosy mystery novels in the past ten years. Some series like MC Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin were excellent, others not so!

  I thought I could put together a series based around an area of England. Everyone’s written about the Cotswolds and the Midsomer counties, so I thought it would be best to avoid those areas. We live in a beautiful part of the South West of England. East Devon is full of quaint villages, relaxing towns, peaceful countryside and hidden gems. It’s just waiting for a few juicy murders! The police presence is minimal. The population is not as full of old—aged pensioners as some would have you believe. Perhaps it’s time to create a rival to Midsomer!