by June Francis
‘Well?’ asked Seb.
She lifted her gaze from the letter. ‘You viper!’ she exclaimed and flung the sheet of paper at him.
Startled, he said, ‘What d’you mean by that?’
The legs of her chair screeched on the floor as she pushed it back. ‘You and Kenny both! How could you do business with that woman and keep it from me? You know how I felt about her!’ Alice’s eyes flashed green fire.
Seb knew there was only one person his wife ever referred to as that woman and snatched up the letter and read it swiftly. ‘Bloody hell!’
The children gasped. ‘That’s a naughty word, Daddy,’ said Flora.
He ignored his daughter. ‘Why did she do this? I don’t understand.’
‘To cause trouble, of course. See, I knew her better than you. What I want to know from you is why you kept her involvement in the company a secret from me these past few years.’
‘I think you can guess why,’ said Seb, running his hand through his dark curls. ‘You’d have told me to refuse her help and the company would have gone bust without it.’
‘You could have mortgaged the house.’
His mouth tightened. ‘I thought about it but decided her involvement in the company was a better option.’ He held up a hand as Alice went to speak. ‘Kenny and I knew you’d rant and rave if we’d told you and then gone ahead anyway.’
‘I should think I would.’ Alice paced the floor. ‘I don’t know how you could have trusted her. She’s deceitful, she’s a poisoner, an adulteress…’
Flora and James gasped.
Seb scowled. ‘You shouldn’t make such accusations in front of the children.’ He turned to them. ‘You three can leave the table.’
‘But we haven’t finished,’ protested Flora.
He looked at the half-eaten slice of toast on her plate. ‘You can eat that in the kitchen while you get ready for school.’ She groaned and flounced out, followed by James and Georgie.
Seb turned to his wife. ‘What proof have you that she was any of those things?’
‘I don’t need proof. I know the kind of woman Mrs Black was,’ she said angrily. ‘She had my father wrapped round her little finger. He spent money on her that he should have spent on his family.’
‘Here we go again.’
‘Don’t you dare take that attitude! I have cause to feel the way I do about them both.’
‘So you’ve said time and time again. You’re just so prejudiced against her that you could never see her good points,’ said Seb. ‘But I must admit I think it’s crazy of her to have left the shares to you.’
‘I suppose you think she should have left them to you and Kenny instead of me?’ she said tartly.
‘I thought she would have left them to Robbie.’
‘I told you – she wanted to cause mischief between you, me and Kenny. I know the way that woman’s mind worked,’ said Alice darkly.
‘I doubt that was uppermost in her thoughts but I can believe she did it deliberately to annoy you and put you in a quandary. Hating her the way you do, I expect she thought you might refuse to take anything from her,’ said Seb thoughtfully. ‘On the other hand, perhaps she considered you might believe she owed you for taking your father away from you. There’s also the possibility that she believed if you owned shares in the company you might take more of an interest in it.’
Alice glared at him. ‘I suppose Tilly knew about her having shares in the company?’
Seb shrugged.
Alice’s eyes filled with tears and, getting up, she hurried from the room.
‘Damn!’ said Seb savagely, flinging down his napkin and walking out of the room.
* * *
Tilly arrived at the house a few hours later. When no one answered her knock, she went round to the back and found Alice digging in one of the flower borders.
‘I didn’t expect to find you doing this,’ said Tilly, gazing down at her sister.
Alice straightened up and put a hand to the small of the back. ‘I find it helps when I’m feeling angry and frustrated.’
‘Perhaps that’s why Dad enjoyed gardening so much,’ murmured Tilly. ‘You know what the poet says, You are nearer to God in a garden than anywhere else on earth.’
‘Is that so?’ said Alice, ramming the spade into the soil.
‘I presume you’ve received the solicitor’s letter,’ said Tilly, taking a few steps backward.
Alice glared at her. ‘I always believed before Dad came between us that we didn’t have secrets from each other.’
‘It wasn’t my secret to tell,’ said Tilly frankly. ‘She left Dad a thousand pounds, by the way, and he left me everything in his will.’
Alice stared at her. ‘Dad made a will?’
‘Yes.’
‘I don’t know whether to congratulate you or throw a tantrum,’ muttered Alice.
‘I’ll share it with you and Kenny,’ said Tilly. ‘It’s only right.’
‘Rubbish!’ said Alice. ‘You gave him your time so you deserve it. I’m glad you have a nice little nest egg but don’t go squandering it on something stupid.’
Tilly felt like stamping her foot. ‘Honestly, Alice, when are you going to accept that I’m grown-up now and have plenty of common sense.’
‘What about marriage to Mr Parker?’
‘I doubt that’s a possibility. I haven’t seen him since the concert.’
Alice put down the shovel. ‘Shall we have a glass of sherry to celebrate our inheritances?’
‘That would be nice.’ Inwardly, Tilly sighed with relief.
She linked her arm through that of her sister and walked up to the house with her. Once they were settled in the drawing room with a glass of sherry and a plate of homemade biscuits, Tilly asked, ‘So what are you going to do with your shares?’
‘I haven’t given it much thought because I’ve been too angry.’
‘Then think about it now,’ persisted Tilly. ‘I presume you’re not just going to hand them over to Seb?’
‘No, I’m not,’ said Alice firmly. ‘I think I’ll sell them back to him and Kenny.’
Tilly grinned. ‘And what will you do with the money?’
Her sister did not answer immediately but stared into space. ‘You know what I’d really like to do,’ said Alice earnestly. ‘I’d like to have my own little hat shop.’
Her words made Tilly sit up. ‘You’ve a real talent when it comes to hats but would Seb allow it?’
Alice’s mouth set in a stubborn line. ‘I don’t see why not. Georgie will soon be at school and I could get someone to help in the house.’ She paused. ‘Or you could come back home! Free board and lodgings and you could do a couple of hours a day in the shop. I’d pay you. You could open the shop early so I could see them off to school and you could pick them up afterwards. Having a business is not the same as having a wife who has to work to help with finances.’
Tilly frowned. ‘I’m not coming to live here and be your lackey. Anyway, male pride being what it is, Seb won’t want people thinking that he can’t support you in the manner to which you’re accustomed.’
Alice scowled. ‘You are mean. Why can’t you come back here and help me out? Now Dad’s gone there’s no need for you to stay in Liverpool. Unless you still think that Mr Parker is interested?’
Tilly gave her look. ‘No, he’s not the reason.’
‘So you say. I’ll get help in. I’ll persuade Seb, don’t you worry. Why should either of us care what the neighbours think when buying the lease on a little shop will keep me happy and make up for his keeping secrets from me.’
‘I don’t know why you’ve never had another baby.’
Alice refilled their sherry glasses. ‘Because, although I love my children, I don’t want to go through all that again: pregnancy, nappies – babies are hard work. Seb agrees.’
Tilly could not imagine them abstaining from sex. She wondered whether her sister had read Marie Stopes’ books Married Life and Wise Parenthood, which
had been published in 1918. The author had shocked the church by advocating birth control and her books had been called obscene by some but they had sold in the thousands. ‘I’ll say no more,’ said Tilly, sipping her sherry.
There was a sound from outside and the next moment Seb entered through the french windows. He smiled at Tilly. ‘I’m glad to see you back. You OK?’ He bent and kissed her cheek.
‘She’s come into money,’ said Alice, holding up her face for his kiss. ‘That woman left Dad a thousand pounds and he left everything to Tilly in his will.’
Seb whistled. ‘You lucky duck, Tilly.’
‘I did offer Alice a third of it but she refused,’ said Tilly. ‘But perhaps I should buy her shares and that way she’ll have money of her own to do with what she wants and it’ll save the company forking out. I’ll give the shares to Kenny and that will ease my conscience.’
‘So Alice told you about the shares,’ said Seb, grinning. ‘Did she tear a strip off you, as well?’
Tilly nodded. ‘But I knew already because Joy told me. Eudora Bennett left her money, as well. She told me that she’s going to have a holiday and take her mother with her.’
‘That will be nice for Hanny and Kenny,’ said Seb, pouring himself a small whisky. ‘Your idea is a very generous one, Tilly. I appreciate it for one because business is still tough. Did your dad leave anything else?’
‘The solicitor has the insurance policy,’ said Tilly. ‘But there is this, too.’ She opened her bag and removed the tin.
‘What on earth is in that?’ asked Alice.
Tilly smiled. ‘I thought the kids might like it.’ She took off the lid and emptied the contents on to the occasional table. ‘You know how we all pick up things that we like and put them in a box or tin. These are Dad’s.’
Alice stared at the collection. ‘I’d never have believed it of him.’ She picked up the peacock feather and brushed her cheek with it. ‘Flora will love this.’
‘There’s several foreign coins here that James will like,’ said Seb, rooting through them. ‘And what’s this? It looks like a medal but—’
‘It’s a button,’ said Tilly glancing at him. ‘Dad picked it up in the garden. I did wonder…’
‘Wonder what?’ asked Alice.
‘It’s American,’ interrupted Seb. ‘It’s off a soldier’s uniform.’
Tilly experienced a thrill of excitement. ‘Do you know anything more about it?’
‘No.’ Seb stared at it thoughtfully. ‘But I know someone who might.’ He glanced at Tilly. ‘What if I do a tracing of it and send it to my friend in America?’
‘Your friend in America?’ asked Tilly. ‘You don’t mean Don Pierce? I thought he no longer kept in touch.’
‘I think he’ll find this interesting.’
Tilly was assaulted by all sorts of emotions. ‘Is he still a bachelor? It’s just that I saw a photograph of him with this woman…’
Seb shot her a keen look. ‘I know nothing about any woman, but, do you still want me to go ahead?’
Tilly did not hesitate. ‘Yes! Why not? It’s not only that I’d like to solve the mystery of how an American soldier’s uniform button got in the garden – but I’d like to know the truth about the blonde who was with him in the magazine photograph that I saw.’
Seb nodded.
‘You could ask the neighbours if there’d been any handsome American soldiers calling at the house during the war,’ suggested Alice.
Seb shook his head. ‘That’s the last thing she should do.’
‘Why not?’ asked Alice.
‘I know why not,’ said Tilly, a quiver in her voice. ‘It might have been pulled off a uniform worn by the body Dad found. We know the corpse met with a violent death.’ She felt odd thinking about it. ‘Should I show it to the police?’
‘What for?’ asked Alice, staring at her. ‘I think you’re allowing your imagination to run away with you. So Dad found a button in the Bennetts’ garden. Anyone could have dropped it there. Perhaps a young woman visiting the house had an American sweetheart who had given her one of his buttons as a keepsake after the war.’
‘Now whose imagination is running away with them?’ asked Tilly sweetly. ‘And it was your suggestion to ask the neighbours about handsome American soldiers. Besides, we have no idea if he was good-looking or not.’
Seb said, ‘I’d keep quiet about your dad’s find at the moment, Tilly. I wouldn’t mention it to anyone.’
There was a note in his voice that sent a shiver down Tilly’s spine. ‘If that’s what you think, then I’ll do what you say.’
‘Good,’ he said, smiling. ‘So what are your plans, Tilly? Will you still carry on working for the charity and the private detective agency?’
Tilly shook her head. ‘No! Once I get my hands on my inheritance I’m going to give up work and write my novel. I’ll look for new digs where I can have peace and quiet and…’
Her sister looked alarmed but before his wife could speak, Seb said, ‘Don’t say it, Alice. It’s what Tilly wants and as your father has given her the means to do it, allow her to have a go.’
‘All right,’ said Alice, thinking that he had opened the way to bring up her plans when the time was right. ‘But she could have digs in Chester,’ she suggested.
‘No, I’m staying in Liverpool,’ said Tilly firmly. ‘I’ll be able to visit you more often and I’ll stay here tonight. How’s that?’
Seb smiled. ‘That’s fine.’
After that the conversation became more general and when the children came home, Tilly found it really heart-warming to see the way they searched through their grandfather’s collection, laying claim to this or that and carrying their treasures upstairs to their bedrooms. She enjoyed her time with her family, slipping along to Hanny and Kenny’s and telling them her plans, as well as playing with the twins. She popped in and saw Clara and Freddie and the baby. Clara said something that took Tilly by surprise.
‘Do you think Eudora will try and get in touch with Mr Bennett?’
Tilly stared at her. ‘You mean, from the Other Side?’
‘Yes,’ said Clara.
Freddie, who was nursing his son, raised his dark eyebrows. ‘I’d love to be there if she did.’
Tilly said, ‘Mr Bennett would run a mile from any psychic phenomenon. He didn’t like what she did as a medium.’ She paused. ‘But I’ll make you a promise – if anything weird does happen, I’ll let you know.’
Chapter Twenty-Five
‘Hello, Tilly,’ said Wendy, pausing in the act of filling a box with slabs of toffee as Tilly entered the shop. ‘You OK?’
She nodded and placed several empty brown paper carrier bags on the counter. ‘Sorry about not being here last night but I decided I needed to see my sister.’ It was another hot day and she wiped her perspiring brow.
‘Understandable,’ said Wendy, her grey eyes resting on Tilly’s face. ‘So what are the carrier bags for?’
‘I have to get rid of Dad’s stuff, so I might as well get it done now,’ said Tilly. ‘Have you seen Grant this morning?’
‘Yes, and I told him you were back.’
‘Good.’
Wendy hesitated. ‘I didn’t tell you yesterday but while you were in Scotland he asked me to help him out – and I know what you’re going to say – I’m not to make a habit of it.’
Tilly smiled. ‘I wasn’t going to say anything of the sort. What kind of help did you give him?’
‘I did a little bit of typing and then I went to a party with him.’
Tilly stilled. ‘A party?’
Wendy flushed. ‘Yes. He told me it was to do with an insurance claim. I had to circulate and keep my ears and eyes open while he checked out a few things in the house.’
‘There hasn’t been another jewellery robbery, has there?’
‘Not jewels. More what he calls objects d’art.’
‘I see. Stuff like your Aunt Eudora’s Chinese vases.’
Wendy said, ‘
I suppose so. I wonder where they ended up. Grant’s convinced there’s a gang working for a Mister Big. He has an idea who it might be but he’s keeping mum at the moment.’ She paused. ‘I suppose you’ll be wanting your job back now?’
‘No, I won’t,’ said Tilly, smoothing out the carrier bags. ‘I’ve come into money. Dad made a will and left me everything. It mightn’t have been much if your Aunt Eudora hadn’t left him a thousand pounds in her will.’
Wendy let out a whistle. ‘Lucky you! I suppose you’ll be moving out of here and going back to Chester?’
‘Out of here, yes – but I haven’t made up my mind yet where I’m going. I need some quiet place where I can get on with my novel.’
Wendy’s grey eyes gleamed. ‘Good idea! But we’ll miss you and you could have trouble finding a place. I don’t know what Grant will say when I tell him you’ll no longer be working for him.’
‘He might ask you to continue working for him on a part-time basis,’ suggested Tilly.
Hope flared in Wendy’s eyes and then died. ‘I’d like that but I can’t see Mam agreeing. It was OK when it was just temporary but she wants me here. I can just see him finding a blonde bombshell for an assistant and he’ll fall in love with her and they’ll get married and that’ll be that.’ She sighed.
Tilly gave her a severe look. ‘You shouldn’t be so pessimistic. Your mam could always get Mrs Pain to fill in here and give her a break.’
‘She’ll say she can’t afford to pay her,’ said Wendy gloomily.
‘Why is that? She must give you a wage.’
‘No, she doesn’t. Mam gives me a couple of bob for spends and buys my clothes, and when I say to her I’m getting older and how about my having a proper wage, she just says that she provides me with everything I need so that’s equal to a wage.’
Tilly frowned. ‘That’s not right in this day and age. The suffragettes fought for votes for women and now women are trying to get equal rights on wages and that with men, so they can support themselves. It’s not right. Your Minnie has a job and gets a wage. Surely she has something for herself and gives money to your mam for her keep?’
‘Yes, but the problem is that after Dad was killed I saw it as my duty to do what I could to help Mam and I was stupid enough to say I didn’t expect any pay then. She’s never forgotten it.’
