Foxden Hotel (The Dudley Sisters Saga Book 5)

by Madalyn Morgan

  ‘I don’t think she will, not in the foreseeable future anyway. She was telling me earlier that she loves her job. She was stationed near Kirby Marlow in the war and became friends with the vicar and his wife at St Peter’s. She said on the occasions she visited them after the war, it was like coming home. She’s staying with them now, but she wants somewhere permanent so she’s looking for a place to rent.’

  ‘That’s odd.’

  ‘What is? That she’s looking to rent, or that she wants to live here permanently?’

  ‘Both. Her job here is permanent. I mean, she can give a week’s notice anytime she likes, but if she loves it, why would she? And if she wanted, she could live in. I gave her the choice when I offered her the post of receptionist. I wonder where she’s from,’ Bess mused. ‘Being stationed somewhere didn’t mean you came from the place. Look at Claire. She was stationed in Lancashire, until she went overseas.’

  Bess made the tea and took a cup over to Ena. ‘Are you staying here tonight, or at the Denbigh with Henry?’

  ‘Here if you’ll have me. Perhaps I had better ask Maeve?’

  Bess laughed. ‘I’d be careful if I was you while I’m drinking hot tea. I’d hate to spill it on you.’

  Ena brought Bess up to date with what Henry was doing. ‘The main reason he’s here is to find out as much as he can about Sir Gerald Hawksley.’

  ‘That reminds me. I ran into Katherine Hawksley at the bus stop in Lowarth earlier,’ Bess cut in. ‘She looked ill. She was thin, her face was as white as a sheet and she was a bag of nerves. She was twitching like a frightened animal and wringing her hands. And she kept saying she was sorry.’

  ‘About what?’ Ena asked.

  ‘No idea. I asked her if she meant she was sorry about what happened on New Year’s Eve, but she just said again that she was sorry. Thinking about it,’ Bess said, ‘it felt as if she was saying sorry to me personally.’

  ‘She didn’t cause the trouble at New Year, so why would she apologise for it? It doesn’t make sense,’ Ena said.

  ‘No, it doesn’t, but I’m sure it was personal. She might have meant she was sorry about the things Sutherland said to me on New Year’s Eve.’ Bess lifted her shoulders. ‘Who knows? Oh, and she said, “If it hadn’t been for me, Daddy--” Then she said she had to go. She said Sergeant McGann had warned her about me, told her not to speak to me.’

  ‘I don’t think you should speak to her either,’ Ena said, ‘not with Gerald Hawksley being a big shot in the British Patriots.’

  ‘If the poor girl’s been exposed to fascists and the like, it’s no wonder she was nervous. And there’s something else. Katherine started to look up and down the road. I didn’t think anything of it at first; she’d been jittery and on edge since we first spoke, but when the road was at its busiest she ran into the traffic. It was as if she did it on purpose. Thank the Lord the driver of the first car slammed on his breaks. He swerved one way and the car behind him swerved the other. I don’t know how they did it, but they both managed to miss her.’

  ‘Good Lord!’ Ena exclaimed. ‘The silly girl could have been killed.’

  ‘So could I. To miss Katherine Hawksley the driver of the first car had to turn the wheel sharply. If the kerb in front of the bus stop hadn’t been so high, the car would have mounted the pavement and mowed me down.’

  ‘What? Are you all right?’

  ‘I’m fine. I was shaken up at the time, I don’t mind telling you, but I’m all right now.’

  ‘What happened to Katherine? Where did she go?’

  ‘No idea. She must have weaved her way through the traffic to the other side of High Street. I couldn’t follow her at the time and there was no point me going after her later. By the time the road was safe to cross she could have been anywhere.’

  As arranged, the sisters and their mother met in the foyer after breakfast on Easter Sunday morning. The plan was to walk to church together, as they always did whenever they were all at Foxden.

  ‘Right. Are we ready?’

  ‘No, Margot isn’t here. She’ll be titivating her hair I expect,’ Claire said.

  Lily Dudley looked worried. ‘She might be feeling poorly.’

  Bess knew her mother was right. Margot was more than likely being sick, not fussing with her hair, but she didn’t want her mother to give the game away and spoil the surprise Margot had planned for her sisters. ‘She’s fine, Mam,’ Bess said pointedly, nudging her mother as she passed. ‘Go and round up the men, Ena. I need a hankie. I’ll knock on Margot’s door on the way to my room and chivvy her along.’

  ‘Are you nearly ready, Margot? Bess asked, tapping the door. ‘It’s time we left for church if we don’t want to be late.’

  Margot opened the door and heaved in Bess’s direction. Bess jumped back and Margot burst into laughter.

  ‘That wasn’t funny,’ Bess said.

  ‘Sorry, but that’s what I feel like all the time. Morning sickness is supposed to get better as the time goes on. Most people don’t have it after three months. Talk about pregnant women blooming? I feel bloomin’ worse every day.’

  ‘You’d have to be different, Margot.’ Bess looked closely at her sister’s face. ‘You do look peaky. Put some rouge on, or rub a bit of lipstick into your cheeks.’ Margot sauntered back to the dressing table and peered into the mirror. ‘But be quick, or we’ll miss the beginning of the service.’ Margot dabbed at her face with the rouge pad and stood back to admire herself. ‘There’s no time for preening, lady, come on.’ Bess led her sister out of the room.

  Claire and Ena were waiting at the foot of the stairs, already in their Sunday hats and spring coats. Claire, always the sharpest, spotted Margot’s high colour. ‘You look flushed, Margot, you’re not coming down with something, are you?’

  Bess pressed her lips together to stop herself from laughing. ‘She’s fine, aren’t you? She’s just overdone the rouge. It’s the light in that room. I’ll get Frank to put a higher watt bulb in it,’ she said, rubbing Margot’s cheeks with her handkerchief. ‘There, perfect!’

  ‘Well, what are you waiting for, Claire? Ena?’ Bess said, winking at Margot.

  ‘Cheek!’ Claire cried, and grabbing Bess’s hand pretended to drag her out of the hotel. Margot and Bill, and Ena and Henry, followed with Frank and Mitch on either side of their mother-in-law.

  The sisters and their husbands walked into the ancient Cotswold stone Church of St. Leonard, Mysterton, and down the aisle behind the matriarch of the family, Lily Dudley. Rays of dappled sunshine radiated through the stained glass windows, bathing the congregation in pale pink and soft golden light. Arrangements of daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and azaleas filled boat-shaped vases on the window ledges. Long-stemmed arums skirted the altar like a floral petticoat and the familiar sweet fragrance of lavender polish and vanilla candles filled the air.

  The Crucifix stood opposite the pulpit and was decorated with dark blue Sea Holly thistle, and Milk and Scotch Cotton thistle. The thorny bunches were held in place by coloured raffia wound around the Cross’s simple plain oak plinth. At the foot of the Cross was a basket of eggs, which had been painted in bright colours by the children of St. Leonard’s Sunday School.

  The sisters took their seats. There were no rules as to where anyone in the congregation sat for Sunday, or any other service at Mysterton Church, but the Dudley family had been worshiping there - and sitting in the same seats - for so many years that the front pew was unofficially reserved for them.

  The Church was full. It always was at Christmas and Easter. Mysterton Church was where Lily and Tom Dudley were married, the Dudley siblings were christened, where Margot and Bill and Bess and Frank were married, and where their father Tom Dudley’s funeral service was held. That was a year ago, but it felt like yesterday, Bess thought. She still missed her father, all her sisters did. He had been a calming influence and the voice of reason to the sisters.

  When the service had finished, Bess walked down the footpath, leaving
Frank talking to the Vicar. ‘Always willing to give,’ Bess heard Frank say, ‘but I can’t stop now, I need to get back to the hotel, I’m on duty shortly. Call in one morning and have a cup of tea with us, and we’ll sort something out.’

  ‘By the look on the Vicar’s face he’s after money again,’ Bess said, when Frank caught her up.

  ‘Does he ever want anything else?’ Bess put her arm through Frank’s and together they stepped up their pace.

  Back at the hotel, Bess’s sisters and brothers-in-law went to the bar where the men drank pints of beer and the women coffee. The family had sandwiches while the guests dined. Later, when they had the dining room to themselves, Margot stood up and, looking every bit as radiant as the bonniest of expectant mothers, said, ‘Bill and I have some news. We’re having a baby.’

  Claire and Ena congratulated their sister, kissing her and then kissing their brother-in-law. Mitch and Henry left their seats and, after kissing Margot, shook Bill’s hand.

  When Margot’s sisters had finished asking questions - How far along are you? When is the baby due? Do you want a girl or a boy? - and had returned to their seats, Bess waved to Sylvie, the waitress who had been attending them. Sylvie left the dining room immediately, returned a couple of minutes later, and waited in the corridor with the door open.

  When Bess saw her, she jumped up. ‘Margot? Bill? Close your eyes and don’t open them until I tell you to.’ Bess motioned to Frank to close the curtains and turn out the lights, and then called Sylvie in. As the waitress began her slow walk from the door to the dining table, Bess said, ‘You can open them now.’

  ‘Oh my goodness.’ Margot cried, as Sylvie put an iced cake on the table in front of her and Bill. Written on top in lemon icing were the words Congratulations Margot and Bill. And In the middle of the cake were two lighted candles - one pink and one blue.

  ‘Blow the candles out,’ Claire shouted.

  ‘Make a wish,’ added Ena.’

  ‘Which shall I do first?’ Margot asked, taking a deep breath.

  ‘Blow and wish at the same time,’ Bess said, and Margot blew until both candles were extinguished. “Hooray!” her sisters shouted, cheering and applauding.

  Bess looked along the table at Claire and Mitch, and Ena and Henry, they had stopped cheering and were staring at the door. She followed their gaze. Sergeant McGann and Constable Peg were standing in the doorway. McGann flicked on the lights.

  Frank looked over his shoulder and, seeing the two policemen, stood up immediately, followed by Bill and then Mitch. ‘We’re in the middle of a family celebration, Sergeant McGann, this had better be important.’

  ‘Oh, it is, Mr Donnelly.’

  ‘Then tell us what it is you want, so we get back to enjoying ourselves?’

  ‘You’re what I want, Mr Donnelly. I want you to come to the station for an interview.’

  ‘What? I’m afraid you’re going to have to wait until tomorrow. Now if you don’t mind, it is Sunday afternoon and this is a private party.’

  ‘In that case,’ Sergeant McGann said, ‘Frank Donnelly, I am arresting you on suspicion of murder.’

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  ‘Murder?’ Bess leapt out of her chair. ‘That’s ridiculous!’ Her sisters left their seats and joined Bess, standing behind her in a protective semi-circle.

  ‘Frank wouldn’t hurt a fly,’ Margot said.

  ‘He’s a gentle giant,’ added Ena.

  ‘Where’s your proof?’ Claire asked.

  ‘Yes!’ Bess said. ‘Don’t you need proof before you can cart an innocent man away?’

  Looking at Bess with a bored expression, Sergeant McGann puffed out his chest and ignored their protests.

  ‘The sergeant is obviously talking about the murder of David Sutherland,’ Bess said to her sisters, taking in her brothers-in-law. ‘But, Sergeant,’ she said, looking daggers at McGann, ‘you are right off the mark accusing my husband of killing that pathetic excuse for a man, because he didn’t leave the hotel on New Year’s Eve. And there are twenty or more people who will swear to that.’

  ‘Six of them are here in this room,’ Bill said.

  Bess looked at Henry, her eyes pleading for him to say something to help Frank, but he shook his head and lowered his gaze.

  ‘Even if I did go out,’ Frank said, putting an arm around Bess, ‘I have physical proof that David Sutherland was not killed on New Year’s Eve.’ Bess steeled herself not to look up at Frank, for fear her face would show the shock she was feeling, while McGann shot him a look that was somewhere between disbelief and anger.

  ‘I have a letter that Sutherland wrote to me on the second of January.’ Bess realised she’d been holding her breath and exhaled. ‘I’ll explain everything later, darling,’ he said, turning to Bess and holding her in his arms. ‘Don’t worry, love, I’ll sort this nonsense out in no time.’ To Sylvie, the young waitress who was about to leave when the police barged in, Frank said, ‘Would you serve coffee, please?’

  McGann gave Constable Peg a sharp nod and the young constable took a pair of handcuffs from his tunic pocket.

  ‘If you cuff me I won’t be able to get the proof I need.’ Frank said, staring McGann down. The sergeant nodded again, and the constable put the cuffs away. ‘Thank you. Now, if you will allow me to go to my office?’

  ‘Go with him, Constable,’ McGann waved his hand in the direction of the office, while looking at Bess with a smug grin on his face.

  ‘I’m coming with you, Frank.’

  ‘Afraid that won’t be possible Mrs Donnelly,’ McGann said. Bess glared at him. She wanted to slap him, wipe the satisfied, self-righteous smirk off his face. ‘Not when it’s a murder enquiry.’

  Constable Peg poked his head round the door. ‘Mr Donnelly has the documents he needs, Sergeant.’

  Bess began to follow McGann out of the dining room, but Henry, suddenly on his feet, caught her by the hand.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Bess snapped. ‘If you won’t help Frank, I will!’

  ‘It’s police procedure, Bess.’ Before letting go of Bess’s hand, Henry gave it a squeeze. She looked up at her old friend and saw the trace of a smile on his face. She had got him wrong. There was a reason he hadn’t defended Frank earlier. Bess nodded that she understood.

  ‘I’ll accompany Mr Donnelly,’ Henry said, giving McGann a fierce look that said You can’t stop me. ‘Sergeant McGann is right,’ Henry said, turning back to Bess. ‘If he is taking Frank in on a suspected murder charge, it isn’t possible for you to go with him.’ Bess nodded, her eyes brimming with tears.

  ‘Besides,’ Henry added, ‘I’m sure Frank would rather you stay here with your mother and sisters.’ Bess nodded again. Resigned not to be with her husband during what she knew would be an arduous time at the hands of Sergeant McGann, she flopped down on her chair.

  ‘Look after him, Henry?’ Ena said, following her husband to the door.

  ‘I will. And you look after Bess.’

  ‘Of course,’ Ena said, looking over his shoulder at her sister.

  Henry kissed Ena and left.

  On her way back to her seat at the dining table Ena leant over Bess’s shoulder and whispered, ‘Would you like Claire and me to take Mam home, or are you going to carry on with the party?’

  ‘If I can’t go with Frank, we’ll carry on with the party. I’m damned if I’m going to let that little Hitler, McGann, spoil Margot and Bill’s celebration.’

  Claire laughed. ‘Atta girl.’

  Bess took the cake knife from the middle of the table. ‘Will you cut the cake, Margot, or shall I?’

  Margot leaned back in her chair and blew out her cheeks. ‘You do it.’

  ‘Right! Who’s for cake?’ Bess called. Several hands went up including Bill’s, but Margot, looking pale, declined.

  Sylvie returned and after clearing the table of dirty dishes, laid it with crockery for cake and coffee.

  McGann taking Frank away had put a damper on the party, but Bess,
Ena and Claire, did their best to keep the gathering jolly. Making the most of what was left of the afternoon, the family ate fruit cake, drank coffee, and chatted animatedly, as they always did when they were together.

  It was Bess’s mother who broke up the party. ‘I think it’s time I made a move. Be a dear and get my coat, Bill, while I have a word with our Bess.’

  Bill got up and made for the door, stopping for a moment at the side of his wife. ‘Are you ready to go, Margot?’ Margot said she was and that she and Bill would drop their mother off on their way home.

  ‘Thank you for the meal, love.’ Lily Dudley said. ‘And don’t go worrying about Frank. If he’s done nothing wrong the police can’t keep him.’

  ‘What do you mean, if he’s done nothing wrong?’

  Everyone laughed, but Lily Dudley looked aghast. ‘Oh, my giddy aunt. I didn’t mean it to come out like that. Our Frank wouldn’t commit murder, but I might the next time I see that Godfrey McGann. I could tell you a thing or two about him when he was a young ‘un. It’s more luck than judgement that he’s ended up on the right side of the law.’

  ‘Save it for next time, Mother. We need to make a move,’ Bill said, helping her into her coat, before helping Margot into hers.

  ‘Time we went too,’ Claire said. ‘We need to pick Aimee up from Mitch’s grandmother’s house. She loves it there, but she’ll be upset that we’ve been up here without her.’

  ‘Might be best not to tell her,’ Bess said. ‘You’ll bring her next time you come, won’t you?’

  ‘Yes. She’d have been with us today, but we’ve been up north visiting Mitch’s old commander.’ Claire shot a look at her husband. ‘We drove up on Friday and Mitch wouldn’t let her have the day off school.’

  ‘Mitch has been very quiet,’ Bess whispered, when Claire’s husband was talking to Bill in the hotel’s foyer. ‘Is everything all right between you two?’

  ‘To tell you the truth, Bess, I don’t know,’ Claire said, with a catch in her voice.