Bay Tree Cottage

by Anna Jacobs

  ‘I could help with the watching, at least. I could occupy Ginger’s flat, if she doesn’t mind, and keep watch at the back while you watch the front.’ Emil nodded decisively. ‘Yes, I could at least do that.’

  ‘And you’re not leaving me out of this, Angus Denning,’ Nell put in.

  ‘Look, love—’

  ‘I mean it.’

  He gave her a quick hug. ‘OK. I’ll contact Iain and ask him to come round for a chat, see if he’d like to be involved. I’m not having whoever it is upsetting my tenants.’

  That afternoon Ginger worked hard with Nell to finish setting out and stocking the café. There were still some things to buy, but they were getting there.

  She had been going to raise the matter of the prowler with Nell, but they got engrossed in what they were doing and what other supplies they’d need to think about, so she didn’t get round to it.

  Nell had originally suggested using interesting old chairs and tables for the café, but Ginger had managed to persuade her that they’d be too hard for staff to lug around. Thank goodness for that. It seemed obvious to her that they might want to use this space for gallery overflow when serving refreshments at events, or even for small groups to meet. This was another reason for having modern light furniture they could stack easily. And they could also use the chairs for audience seating at talks in the gallery.

  ‘You were right about the furnishings,’ Nell said studying the room. ‘You certainly know your stuff about cafés. These chairs and tables are easy to move and they look good.’

  Ginger tried not to smile smugly but knew she’d failed. ‘Matching furniture always looks better, believe me.’

  ‘Did Iain tell you he’s meeting me here this afternoon to measure up and give me a quote for installing a patio with roof?’

  ‘Yes, he did mention it.’ He’d also told Ginger to pack an overnight bag so that he could take her back to his place afterwards. For once he hadn’t asked, he’d insisted, said he was worried about her safety and wanted to get a good night’s sleep.

  Nell went to stroll up and down in the back garden, studying the corner formed by the L-shape of Number 1. ‘He doesn’t think it’ll be all that expensive to do a simple patio roof and it’ll certainly add to our seating area. Even in winter, some people like to sit outside. I can just imagine how it’ll look.’

  She hesitated as they studied the café, then the outside area. ‘What do you think about allowing smoking out here?’

  Ginger was comfortable enough with Nell to say, ‘Oh, please, no! Apart from it being a hazard to people’s health, it makes for a lot of clearing up and the smell lingers, whatever you do, which upsets the non-smokers. I think the stink it leaves behind would affect my flat, too, and it’d waft into the gallery and affect the soft toys and embroideries.’

  ‘I never thought of that. I should have done, but we’ve been busy and anyway, you know so much more about cafés than I do, I’ve been happy to leave some things to you. Um … has Angus spoken to you about tonight yet? He was going to phone.’

  ‘No. Is something wrong?’

  ‘He wants to set a trap for the prowler, and wondered if you’d let Emil keep watch from your flat. And he’s going to ask Iain to join him in the nearby grounds.’

  ‘Of course Emil can use my flat to keep watch, but why do they need Iain’s help? There was only one prowler.’

  ‘We have to keep Emil out of things, in case there’s any fighting and—’ She broke off as Iain came into the café to join them.

  ‘What’s that about fighting?’ he asked at once.

  ‘Hasn’t Angus spoken to you yet?’

  ‘No. He phoned and I’ve arranged to nip up to see him once I’ve finished here. He didn’t say exactly what he wanted.’

  ‘Well, don’t tell anyone but Angus wants to try to catch the prowler, only Emil is recovering from an operation and he hasn’t got to do anything strenuous, let alone get into fights. So Angus needs backup from someone else.’

  Iain said at once, ‘I’m happy to help catch the prowler. I don’t like someone upsetting my Ginger.’

  The two women exchanged long-suffering glances. ‘And you want to keep us both out of it because we’re such delicate blossoms?’ Ginger asked with an edge to her voice.

  ‘Are you any good in a fight, love?’

  ‘Not exactly, but—’

  ‘No buts, lass.’ He looked at Nell. ‘Ginger here is a slip of a thing, and you’re not a power figure, either.’

  ‘I suppose you’re right. But how about we both camp out at the big house tonight?’ Nell suggested. ‘Then we can feed our heroes after they’ve caught the prowler. OK with you, Ginger?’

  ‘Fine by me.’

  They left Iain to measure up outside and Nell said in a low voice, ‘What’s the betting no one turns up tonight down here?’

  ‘They have done the last two nights.’

  ‘But they didn’t try to break in, did they? I bet you five pounds they won’t even turn up.’

  ‘I don’t normally gamble money, but I will bet you a box of chocolates on it.’

  ‘You’re on. Mind you, Angus will be disappointed if nothing happens, but I hope it doesn’t because I don’t want him risking himself. There’s such a possessive streak in him about Dennings, talk about being prepared to defend his own. Anyway, it’s settled. You and I will have a girls’ night up at the big house.’

  She frowned then added, ‘How about we invite Elise and Stacy as well? That’ll get them out of the way in case things turn nasty.’

  ‘Great idea. They’re good company, anyway.’

  ‘The men are going to get in place before dark.’

  ‘They could be seen going there if it’s still light.’

  ‘No. Angus says they’ll use the tunnel entrance at Number 6 to get in. It leads to Number 1 via the secret room. He unlocked the door to the tunnel today.’

  ‘It’s like something in a crime novel. I can’t believe it’s happening. Surely it’s just vandals?’

  ‘I hope so. Angus is very angry underneath it all at someone daring to target his houses for any reason. Heaven help them if they do turn up. He says he’ll make sure they don’t want to try it again.’

  ‘He can get a very determined look on his face.’

  ‘Oh my, yes! Anyway, we’ll be ready to tend any wounded if something does happen.’

  ‘You’ve had experience of tending the wounded?’ Ginger asked with a grin.

  ‘After raising three sons? What do you think? My three got into scraps at the drop of a hat, especially when they were in their mid teens. Talk about needing to prove their manhood.’

  ‘I only have one son and he’s been in a few scraps in his time so I’ve had some practice, but probably not as much as you.’

  She’d give Iain a good talking-to, though, about not asking for trouble and calling in the police if trouble turned up. She was glad he’d have Angus with him.

  And Emil, too, and since he had to be careful, surely he’d be a calming influence?

  When she’d first come to Saffron Lane, she’d expected it to be so peaceful here. But now, who could tell what was going to happen? All she knew was that she’d made friends with people who stood by one another, and it felt so very different to face things with such support.

  The man kept watch on the houses from behind a fallen tree near the gate to the Denning estate. He didn’t intend to take any risks about this.

  There was a car parked outside Number 1. He’d seen Mrs Denning get out and go into the gallery earlier. By using his binoculars he’d managed to catch glimpses through the connecting doorway of the two women setting things out in the back room, then walking all round the place, gesturing. So her presence didn’t seem anything to worry about, just normal work on the new café.

  When he saw the van arrive, however, he stiffened. If that gardener fellow was going to stay the night with the woman who lived in the flat, things could become a little more difficult.


  Mrs Denning came out and drove away. Good. One down.

  Now what about the gardener and the woman who lived there?

  But to his relief, when they came out some time later, the woman was carrying what looked like an overnight bag. As he watched them get into the van and drive off, he thumped his fist down on the soft earth in triumph. Yeah! That was one problem solved.

  He’d continue to keep watch, though, to make sure no one came back to Number 1. And he’d keep an eye on the occupants of the other houses in the street, as well. The two female artists seemed to be early to bed types, but the guy at Number 4 could be a problem. The stupid fellow was up working at all hours of the day and night, or at least he had been the past two nights.

  As afternoon turned into evening, the two women came out of the other houses. They seemed to be going out together because they both got into the younger one’s car and she drove off. Women didn’t usually stay out all that late, so it’d probably be better to do the job before they got back, or at least get in position ready to go for it.

  He took out his phone and let the person who’d hired him know they were going to start earlier than planned.

  ‘Come and meet me in about an hour,’ he suggested.

  ‘Wouldn’t it be better to do this after it’s fully dark?’

  ‘No, it damned well wouldn’t. They’re all out now, except for that little twerp who carves wooden animals, and if necessary, I’ll deal with him.’ And he was fed up of lying here behind the fallen tree trunk, not to mention damp and stiff.

  ‘Ah. Well, remember, I don’t want anyone hurt.’

  ‘I know. You’ve said that several times already. I do understand English. Now, are we going to do the job or not?’

  ‘Um … yes. I must have that information.’

  ‘Then don’t forget to bring some cash. I want payment in advance and we’re not talking about bank transfers here.’

  ‘I won’t forget.’

  ‘See that you get here without being noticed. Pretend you’re using your phone as you walk, wear a scruffy hat and keep your head down.’

  ‘No need to repeat yourself. You already suggested that.’

  ‘I’ll be waiting for you where we agreed in an hour, then. Remember to stop and check that there’s no one around before you go into that area.’

  ‘Yeah, yeah!’

  ‘Get back to me if you see anything – anything at all – to suggest you’re being followed or observed.’

  He scowled as he switched his phone to vibrate. He hated working with amateurs!

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Angus, Emil and Iain met at the big house, drove round to the other side of the small estate and parked there. Angus knew a way into the back gardens of the two end houses.

  ‘I found out about this hidden gate from my uncle’s diaries,’ he said, brandishing a big old key.

  ‘I found it too, when I was clearing the undergrowth,’ Iain said. ‘I was going to mention it, but something came up.’

  Angus led the way round the edge of the garden, hurrying across the final open stretch with the house key at the ready. Once they were inside Number 6, he couldn’t resist teasing Iain. ‘Not “something”, it was Ginger who came up and everything else went out of the window.’

  ‘Yes. I’ve been lucky. Meeting her and getting on so well has lit up my life. We’re going to plan our wedding after this bit of trouble is over. And you’re both invited, of course.’

  Emil listened to him with a sudden rush of envy. Both of his companions had met women they not only loved but seemed to be best friends with. Would Abbie gradually soften her attitude to men and let him court her? He could only hope. He had never met anyone who interested him as she did.

  There was another thing about it: if he could make no further headway with her, he’d lose the excuse to enjoy young Louis’ company as well. He enjoyed being around small children but you had to be so careful how you interacted with them these days. He didn’t want his feelings to be misconstrued, so normally kept his distance. He didn’t want to be seen as the sort of person to prey on young children.

  Finally, there was his cancer – his ex-cancer, he hoped. Would it be fair to court anyone now, knowing it could come back? You couldn’t help wondering about that in your darker moments, even after being given the all-clear.

  He realised Iain was looking at him as if waiting for an answer. ‘Sorry. My thoughts strayed for a few moments.’

  ‘You’ve just been invited to his wedding,’ Angus said. ‘Say yes, for heaven’s sake. I think he wants the whole world to come.’

  Iain flushed slightly and shrugged.

  ‘I’d love to come,’ Emil said.

  ‘Right. That’s settled. Now let’s get another thing straight while I’ve got your full attention. Emil!’ Angus gave him a stern look. ‘If there’s any fighting, you’re not to join in, not under any circumstances.’

  ‘Only in the direst necessity,’ Emil corrected.

  ‘Hmm. Well, we’ll do our best to make sure that doesn’t happen. If we’re outnumbered by these people, we’ll call the police, barricade ourselves into the flat and wait for them to arrive. Now, let’s go into Number 6 and I’ll show you how to get into the tunnels. I oiled the lock and tested it earlier because that entrance isn’t often used, so it’s perfect for our purposes today.’

  ‘What if they’ve found a way into the tunnels, as well?’ Iain asked.

  ‘They’ll find it difficult to get into them from the other end, because the council erected a metal grille across the other entrance with a heavy-duty lock on it, to keep people out.’

  ‘Any questions? No? Then we’ll start and try to move really quietly from now on.’ He led them down into the cellar, using a keyhole that was well hidden to unlock a hidden door. When they were through, he whispered, ‘There’s a similar keyhole on this side.’ He pointed to it and locked the door again.

  ‘They went to a lot of trouble with these emergency resources,’ Emil murmured admiringly. ‘It was most definitely an all-out war, you understand that so much more clearly when you see places like this tucked under ordinary streets. And there are all sorts of tunnels and emergency centres under London. Amazing.’

  They followed him along the tunnel, each having provided himself with a torch.

  It was the strangest feeling, Emil thought, to know that you were walking underneath Saffron Lane. He shone his torch upwards for a few seconds and saw curving corrugated iron, only a bit rusty in parts.

  When Angus stopped moving, Emil followed suit.

  ‘We go inside and up those narrow stairs I showed you last time, Emil. It’ll be better to access the house from up there. Be ready to switch off your torches when I tell you. We don’t want even a flicker of light showing to any watcher. We’ll wait for a few moments before we move out of the secret room to give our eyes time to adjust to the dimness. Count to 100 for that.’

  Angus unlocked another door and they moved through into the cellar below Number 1, then climbed up the steep, narrow stairs that were little more than a ladder.

  When Angus switched his torch off, the others followed suit.

  Emil recognised exactly where he was now. He looked round the room, feeling as if ghostly figures might come and sit at the desks to send messages across the country. What must it have been like?

  Once their eyes had adjusted, the door into the house was opened and they made their way down the normal stairs to the gallery area on the ground floor.

  When Angus touched his shoulder and gestured towards the rear of the building, Emil went into Ginger’s flat. His eyes were accustomed to the semi-darkness now. Was there any such thing as complete darkness in a modern house, anyway, with little green or red lights on gadgets winking here and there? Even the secret room had them now.

  He sat down on an armchair, but it was too comfortable and he could see himself dozing off, so chose an upright dining chair instead. It seemed bizarre to be sitting in someone’s h
ouse in darkness waiting for who knew what. Maybe nothing would happen. That’d be a disappointment after all their efforts.

  Time seemed to pass very slowly. Every now and then he got up and walked round the open plan living area and kitchen, checking the time by the clocks on kitchen equipment. He moved into the bedroom, then came back, taking great care not to go near to the window.

  Let’s face it, this is boring, he thought as he sat down. He’d be glad when something happened. He hated hanging around.

  Cutler put the finishing touches to a new carving of a nobbly old man and stood back, pleased with what he’d done. He went to stand by the window that looked out on to the back gardens. No lights shone from the two female artists’ houses. That just showed how dedicated they were, going out socialising instead of working every minute they could.

  He looked round the room, then decided to get a breath of fresh air before having his evening meal. It’d clear his brain. He felt tired and muddy-minded now that he’d finished another carving. There was always this let-down period when one was completed.

  He opened the door and felt a gentle breeze on his face. Ah, that felt good. He hadn’t wanted to stop to eat at teatime, but now he was hungry for both fresh air and food, in that order.

  Letting himself out, he strolled along the street and into the little wood. Then he stopped in shock, because two people wearing hoodies were standing with heads close together as if talking. He hadn’t heard a sound, but he saw one give the other something small enough to be slipped into a pocket.

  He jerked back behind a big bush and to his relief they didn’t shout or show any sign of having noticed him.

  But as he was turning to creep back to his house, someone grabbed him from behind, someone very strong, who covered his mouth when he opened it to yell for help.

  When the hand was removed the second person stuffed something into his mouth before he could make a noise and fastened it there. The larger assailant yanked his hands behind him, and tied them there.