Harmony House

by Ruth Hay

  “Thank you, officer. I don’t know what else to say. I am still in shock.”

  “Drive carefully then.”

  “I will.”

  He shook her hand and at that moment her phone beeped. She saw the text message from Honor and was glad Honor had also thought to provide the directions to Vilma’s house. In her present distracted mental state Hilary was not sure she could find her way out of the hospital without help.

  Vilma would look after all three of them, she knew. For once, Hilary Dempster was happy to relinquish responsibility. She would drive carefully to Vilma’s and help to look after the victims but she was not sure she would be able to sleep this night.

  * * *

  Vilma Smith’s home was brightly lit, warm inside and full of all the comforts any person could wish for.

  As soon as she saw the three bedraggled women emerge from the car, she knew not to ask any questions but to provide all the hot food and drink they needed and to show them to the bedrooms she had prepared. She put Hilary in a twin room with Mavis and installed Eve in a single room right next to her own with a door left open between them. The lights would stay on all night and she would set out snacks and drinks in the kitchen should anyone find it difficult to sleep.

  Mavis had headache medication and Eve had been provided with a mild sedative by the doctor. If they preferred, she was satisfied if they wished to stay comfortably by the fireside all night. She had a stack of soft blankets and throws there as well as pillows. There was a television above the fireplace and quiet classical music to distract them if they wanted it.

  Hilary drew Vilma aside when she saw all the preparations that had been made.

  “I am so grateful you were standing by, Vilma. This is a shocking business. I don’t know if I could have coped on my own tonight.”

  “Don’t mention it. I have had enough drama in my life to know how important it is to have friends to call upon when they are needed. Make yourself at home, Hilary. You are not alone in this. We will sort it out together. We are all strong women here.”

  “All I can think of is how fast I can sell my home now. It’s tainted forever and I will never feel the same way about it.”

  “Don’t worry about the future. We are safe here for now and you can stay as long as you need. I will call Jannice and Honor and tell them everyone is cared for.”

  Hilary went back to the fireside where Mavis and Eve had settled. She clung to the thought this awful event might have one good outcome. If this crisis did not bind all six women together into a mutually- supportive family group, nothing ever would.

  Chapter 20

  Surprising to Hilary, she slept well in Vilma’s lovely second bedroom. When she looked over to the twin bed she saw it had not been slept in. She decided to have a hot shower to wash away the previous day’s drama and, once dressed again, she made her way downstairs where she found Vilma in the kitchen with Eve, cooking up an enormous breakfast.

  “I am not a cook,” their hostess explained, “but I do keep a well-stocked fridge. Eve wanted to be busy so we are accommodating all the food preferences we can think of. Some of it is in the warming oven. Help yourself, Hilary. I don’t think Mavis is awake yet but the aroma of good food should do the trick soon enough.”

  Eve turned toward Hilary and she saw the younger woman looked more or less as normal. Perhaps she was used to dealing with traumatic events caused by her husband. Her recovery seemed abnormally fast to Hilary, who was not yet sure she had actually recovered from the shock.

  “We decided to stay by the fire together last night. Whenever we woke it was a comfort to know the fire was there and another body was close by. I feel the better of it and I’m sure Mavis will too.”

  Hilary left the bustling scene of activity and, carrying two cups of coffee on a tray, went to the adjoining family room to see if Mavis was awake.

  Mavis smiled at her approach. She still looked groggy but accepted the steaming coffee with alacrity, patting the couch beside her to invite her friend to sit. Hilary did as indicated and they sipped together in companionable silence for a minute or two.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Not bad, considering. The headache is better now but the doctor warned me to take it easy for a day or two.”

  “Are you up to telling me what happened? I know only the bare outline.”

  Mavis had been thinking of what she would say to Hilary. There seemed to be no point in hiding the truth and there was a chance it would help to get it out in the open.

  “I came home with the shopping from the market. Goodness! All that stuff must still be in the back of the car, Hilary!”

  “Don’t give that a thought. Just tell me.”

  “Well, I had the sense of trouble as soon as Eve didn’t come to meet me. I tried to phone for help but he was on me before I realized.”

  She stopped and swallowed more coffee.

  Hilary could see this was not going to be easy for her. “Your call to Derek Price saved your lives, Mavis. You did the right thing.”

  “I don’t really remember much of the next bit until I saw Eve in the bedroom tied up. The shock hit me then and I just collapsed. He had to pick me up and throw me onto the other bed. I knew I had to do something quickly or we were both doomed. Eve gave me the idea and I acted on impulse with strength from somewhere I can’t begin to guess at.

  I wish I had killed him.”

  This statement chilled Hilary. Her friend Mavis had never sounded so stern. What damage had been done to her? She maintained a calm exterior and spoke from her heart.

  “You did enough to make him immobile and that is what counts. You both got out of there.”

  “Yes. Eve told the police he had sworn to kill her for leaving him. They found him still dazed and lying in the mess of blood and broken glass. He must have been drunk. He was certainly crazy.”

  “My dear brave Mavis, it’s over now. Neither of you will ever have to see him again.”

  “Oh yes, we will! There’s bound to be a court case of some kind.”

  “As for that, I met a wonderful lawyer today who will get us the best possible representation to save you from repeated trauma. Don’t worry about it.”

  Silence fell. They could hear something being said in the kitchen. It sounded like Vilma had almost burned her hands on a hot dish.

  “There is one thing that still bothers me, Hilary. How did he get into the house? I remember unlocking the door when I arrived.”

  “Eve may have the answer to that question. Let’s go and fill a plate with some of the banquet these ladies have prepared for us. We can ask her after we have eaten here by the fire. I’ve seen a coffee table like this one of Vilma’s. The centre cantilevers up to the height of a regular table in a second.”

  It was a good idea. Sharing food is a time-honoured way to establish normality. Vilma lightened the atmosphere by reciting her errors in the kitchen.

  “Eve knows so much! I haven’t used half of the appliances in there. Nolan loved to eat out. When we entertained I had a catering company come and cook here for me. Everyone presumed it was all my work and I chose never to disabuse them of that illusion. I learned a lot watching Eve just now.”

  “So, Vilma, we can take your name off the meals rota at Harmony House?”

  “Definitely! I can load the dishwasher or set the table nicely, but you don’t want my amateur cooking efforts, Hilary.”

  Four voices laughed with varying degrees of conviction.

  Eve thought Vilma was better than she claimed she was.

  Mavis’s mind jumped ahead to a future happy day when they were all safe in the kitchen at Harmony House.

  Hilary decided Vilma Smith was one of the most generous and accomplished women she had ever met; a woman who was already an invaluable asset to their group.

  * * *

  Later, Vilma took Mavis upstairs for a hot bath and a nap. Hilary and Eve tackled the dishes in the kitchen and Hilary finally got up the nerve to ask
Mavis’s question about the break-in.

  Eve dried her hands on a paper towel and became more solemn than she had been all morning.

  “I’ve been thinking about this, Hilary. All I know is he got inside and found me. I was sorting through the bookcase in the bedroom. You had asked me to pick out the oldest, worn books and save anything I wanted to read. I had my back to the door. I had a split second of warning. I smelled him behind me but it was too late to do anything.”

  “Don’t upset yourself, Eve. You reacted to save Mavis and yourself. You should be proud of your actions. The police will find out how he entered. We know it was not through the front door. The security cameras will show his movements. He will never be allowed to bother you again. He is a cowardly criminal. You will be safe with us and he will never find you.”

  “Thank you, Hilary. I know I have caused a lot of grief for you. I would not have blamed you and Mavis for throwing me out right at the beginning. I would probably be dead by now.”

  “Don’t think about it, Eve. You were meant to find us. We are your family now.”

  Eve wiped her tears with the remains of the paper towel.

  “Well, I came to you with nothing. I will work for years to justify your faith in me. Whatever Harmony House needs, you can call on me.”

  “The occasional breakfast spread such as the one we just cleaned up will be sufficient payment, Eve Barton. By the way, I think we should use your maiden name from now on.”

  “Please! This is a new beginning. It deserves a new name.”

  It was two more days before the women were ready to return to Camden Corners. The broken rear window where Dobrinski had entered, with the help of a folding step stool he had carried to the house in a plastic carrier bag, had first to be repaired. The security system camera had shown his movements and the recording device was removed as evidence. Hilary insisted the camera’s recorder was replaced before she would enter the house again.

  In the intervening days, Eve, Mavis and Hilary were treated to new clothes from Vilma’s extensive wardrobe. Their hostess refused to allow the two who had been attacked to ever see their bedraggled outfits again. She gave them free rein of her walk-in closets and insisted they could choose anything at all as she knew she had to pare down her belongings for Harmony House.

  Hilary was the most reluctant to accept this generous offer but even she was seduced by the range of colours and styles in the room set aside for outdoor and indoor clothing, shoes and accessories.

  “This is like a magic cave, Vilma!” Eve’s eyes were like saucers as she fingered the fabrics and walked along the rows where clothing was arranged in separate colour blocks.

  Mavis was speechless.

  “Look! I’m not going to stand around here watching. Get on with it. I will send you all back again if you dare emerge without new clothing from the skin outward. The underwear is in that set of drawers on the left. I buy all sizes as the manufacturers vary so much. There are enough mirrors for all of you to see how you look. Have fun!”

  It was several minutes before Mavis dared to take down a smart navy suit with matching polka dotted blouse and shoes. She did not expect all the items to fit her but she soon discovered Vilma bought clothing with stretch built in and what looked small on the hanger actually could accommodate a larger frame. The shoes were too small but Mavis would be happy to walk in her running shoes if she could enjoy an outfit of this quality.

  Hilary headed to the underwear section. She imagined good-fitting bras and panties would be the required underpinnings. She was astonished to find an entire range of the Spanx she previously saw only on television adverts. She went behind a screen and tried on a set that was difficult to pull over her thighs but it went right up to her chest and gave her an enviable figure.

  So this is how women manage to look so fashionable in their middle age!

  Since she was taller than Vilma, Hilary expected nothing would be long enough for her frame. She disliked short skirts and bypassed all the suits, trying instead the selection of pants that ranged from high-waisted jeans to smart hip-hugger styles. She soon discovered the drop-waists gave much more length to the pant legs and she chose two casual pairs in dark colours.

  Now she had to find tops. Once again she presumed tailored jackets would not fit so she looked further and found drawers full of sweaters and knitted cardigans. She thought Vilma must like to be wrapped in her knitwear for comfort as most of these were generous in proportions.

  Happily clad in her new outfit, she turned her attention to Mavis and Eve.

  Mavis was trying on a short coat to match the navy suit. The coat had a detachable hood and a scarf was tucked into one pocket with gloves in the other.

  “Have you ever seen anyone so organized!” she exclaimed. “This set-up would save hours of time looking for accessories. I appoint Vilma Smith, Wardrobe Mistress for Harmony House.”

  “Agreed!” echoed Hilary and Eve.

  Eve looked like a different woman in her chosen outfit of a feather-patterned wool dress and jacket. She had quickly found shoes to fit and hoped Vilma would share her unwanted footwear with her as they seemed to take exactly the same size. She noticed neither of her friends had shoes on their feet.

  “Over here in this tall cupboard are boots of all kinds. You two should try some on. Vilma must buy out whole shoes stores at once.”

  “Vilma once mentioned she shops a lot at a store called Maria’s Models, or a name something like that. It’s in a London mall in town. She must be Maria’s best clothes customer but I have to agree with Eve about the shoes. I’ve never seen such a display.”

  Hilary added that Jannice said Vilma was also a patron of online shopping, particularly knitwear from an international company called A Plus, which she believed originated in London.

  “She does try to support local suppliers, which is a point in her favour.”

  Mavis chipped in on Vilma’s side. “You must admit she takes good care of her things. Some of this vast collection could be years old. It’s not all bought at once. If you know how to choose well, clothes and shoes can last for way more than one season.”

  It took several more minutes but the time passed swiftly as they helped each other to complete the mission of head-to-toe new clothing. Hilary found a lined raincoat and Eve loved the look of a camelhair wrap coat to perfectly complement her dress.

  They paraded down the central stairs to show off to Vilma who especially admired the boots.

  “That’s more like it!” she said triumphantly. “New clothes. New feelings. New beginnings!”

  * * *

  Despite this optimism, Hilary knew the return to Camden Corners would be difficult for Mavis and Eve.

  She would have asked Vilma to keep Eve for a few more days but Vilma was heavily involved in Jannice’s house. It was necessary to provide company for Eve in case bad memories overcame her.

  Hilary decided neither woman would return to the room where all the fearsome events occurred. Her own bedroom had a queen bed and a comfy couch. She would offer these to Mavis and Eve and sleep downstairs in the living room. The Lazy-Boy chair could extend to a good length. She had often dozed in it when she was living on her own.

  Mavis objected strongly to this plan.

  “I refuse to turf you out of your bed in your own house, Hilary! I will sleep downstairs. I don’t mind in the least. Your long legs need the extra space. After all, it won’t be for too much time now that this house is officially for sale.”

  Chapter 21

  There was a great deal of detail to coordinate before the six women could take over Harmony House.

  It was fortunate that this level of necessary activity distracted them from the events that took place at Camden Corners. At the next group meeting, Hilary downplayed the drama but all were aware of the impact it had on three of their members as the local newspapers had briefly reported the break-in with the news that the culprit had been apprehended and remanded in custody.

  Hil
ary moved swiftly along to the rest of the agenda which was quite absorbing enough to divert everyone’s attention.

  First there was the news that Harmony House was theirs and the first installment of the payment had been made.

  Second was the closing date of the Camden Corners house.

  Third was the engineer’s report. The foundations and electrical work of Harmony House were declared excellent and the area for the elevator shaft approved. Once this work was completed they could all begin to move in.

  There were cheers around the room.

  “Before then, however, we need to do several important things. We need to sort out the decoration issues. We need to assign purpose to the rooms and we must decide on which bedrooms suit which of us best. I have to say, I have arbitrarily appointed the lower level to Honor. She has been kind enough to say this decision can be altered once she is back to full mobility.”

  “Thank you, Hilary. I want to add, it is not an exclusive area. Any of you can come and go there as you wish. I will have a private bedroom but access to the garden is available any time at all. I am so excited about this opportunity. Oh, and if anybody needs help with finances or internet access, please come to me at once.”

  Honor’s enthusiasm lifted the tone of the meeting and a date on which to gather at the new house was discussed.

  As previously arranged, Hilary then gave the floor to Vilma who had offered to help with furniture issues. She smiled over toward Jannice before she began.

  “Jannice and I have recently had a crash course on the value, or otherwise, of old furniture and household items. We are taking something incredible to the London Museum’s Antiques Fair in a week or so. Jannice and I will fill you all in on that later.

  What we discovered was that mid-century teak furniture, similar to what Hilary owns, is having a moment of resurgence but most older, heavier stuff is pretty much worthless unless you can find an older building, such as a church, with the space for large items in good condition. I can’t provide furnishings as my house is being sold as is, other than for my own private possessions like clothes, jewellery and a few ornaments. I will buy new bedroom items.