Katherine pulled at moss and foliage, sifted through small stones, pushed her fingers into the recesses between the boulders, searching for anything that might have been left by Bob, his tobacco pouch, a handkerchief, a small tool from the farm, but there was nothing.
Her heart heavy with disappointment, she leaned back against the hard granite, where once she had pressed into his warm body. She could almost see him, bounding down towards her from the top of a boulder, smiling in the adoring manner he had kept just for her. Magnificently built, a lion of a man, a touch of barbarian in him, his earth-brown hair thick and unruly. He had been a powerful lover, yet tender and discerning. And she had loved him intensely. Katherine wept for her lost love and the hollow years she had lived without him.
Since Bob’s death she had not kept a lover for long and now she desired a change from the aspiring young artist currently sharing her bed. Mardie Dawes’ account of Marcus Lidgey appealed to her. It would amuse Katherine to seek the attentions of her daughter’s superior. She stayed for an hour in homage to Bob, then squeezed back through the broken ferns and brambles for the ride to Parmarth.
She had tethered her pony near a patch of rosebay willow-herb, several yards from the field gate. It was concealed from sight by a low hill and she was alarmed to hear it whinnying violently. Katherine was almost too nervous to make the climb and approach her mount. Then she sucked in her breath and her heart raced with terror. ‘Oh, my God. Swallow!’
The pony, helpless in its tethered state, was being attacked by a dog, a large black and white rough-coated creature. The cries of the pony and the savage growls of the dog chilled Katherine like nothing had ever done in the past, even news of Bob’s death. The dog’s jaws and front quarters were crimson with blood. Blood oozed on the pony’s flank, splashing down its front legs, then the dog leapt upwards and Katherine knew it would rip out Swallow’s throat. There was nothing she could do. Hands to her mouth in horror, she was powerless to stop the vicious beast from killing her pony.
A shot rang out, the sound reveberating round the moorland, from hill to tor, and Katherine screamed. The dog yelped and was hurled away from the pony by the blast from a shotgun. Frozen on the spot, Katherine stared at the smashed and blood-soaked body until someone touched her arm and she lurched forward in fear.
‘It’s dead,’ Mercy said bluntly. Leaving Katherine to follow in stunned silence, Kip and Hunter on her heels, she bounded down the hill to the witless pony, which was jerking its head wildly as it sought to break free from its reins.
‘Th-thank God you came along, Mercy.’ Katherine shuddered, holding herself while she took in the enormity of Swallow’s gaping wounds.
‘Lucky for you I tracked down the animal who just killed two of my sheep, or you’d be dead ’n’ all by now.’
‘How is Swallow? Will she have to be shot?’
Mercy caught hold of the reins, but the pony could not be calmed. Its injuries were grotesque, bones were exposed. ‘I’m afraid we can’t help her. Stand back, I’ll do it now.’
Katherine pushed the shotgun up in the air, making Mercy step back awkwardly. ‘Are you sure? She’s a thoroughbred.’
‘Are you bleddy mazed, woman?’ Mercy fumed. ‘You nearly got yourself shot. Course I’m sure, I wouldn’t shoot a good animal for no reason. She’s suffering. If you don’t want to watch get out to the road.’
Crying in shock, Katherine stumbled to the gate, yanked it open, ran several yards along the road and fell backwards against the hedge. She clapped her hands over her ears but was too late. A second shot rang out like a dreadful off-key bell. She was sobbing uncontrollably when Mercy joined her.
‘You’d better come to the farm. I’ll get my nephew to bury the dog but he’ll have to get help to cart the pony to the knackers.’
Katherine pulled a handkerchief out of her jacket pocket and dabbed at her streaming eyes. ‘I-I’ll pay for the time and inconvenience.’
‘You will not. Bob would’ve expected me to look after you.’
‘I don’t want to go to the farm. I want to see Joanna.’
Mercy stared at her. ‘Did I hear right? She’ll be in school. Home time’s not for a hour and half yet.’
‘I’d rather go there, nonetheless.’
‘Well, if that’s what you want. What’s your game? I’ll walk to the village with you, make sure you get there all right with the state you’re in.’
‘Thank you, Mercy. I really did love Bob, you know.’
‘Yes, more to his pity,’ Mercy replied harshly.
* * *
Marcus slipped home during the afternoon play break to collect a project on Ancient Rome he had forgotten. Beth was in his study, dusting and sweeping.
‘I’m sorry to disturb you, Beth. I shall only be in your way for a minute.’ He smiled warmly. He had been studying her carefully for some time, nurturing her with gratitude for all she did at the schoolhouse, giving her the occasional unremarkable gift when Sally was out of the house. Beth never refused someone a favour. Could he persuade her to do what he had in mind?
Beth waited unobtrusively for him to leave, redusting a stack of music sheets on a shelf.
‘I saw Luke Vigus leave with a full wagon this morning. Are you sleeping over with the children tonight?’
‘Yes, sir, he’ll be away three days this time. He’s working the Penzance area,’ Beth replied shyly.
Marcus paused with the project in his hands. ‘How do you find this child-minding?’
‘Sometimes I have a bit of trouble getting Rex off to bed.’ The girl smiled to herself. ‘But Molly’s good as gold. Little Marylyn’s so sweet and rarely wakes up through the night. It’s not a very nice place though. I find it difficult climbing the rope ladder with the baby.’
‘Be careful you don’t tire yourself, Beth. You do so much for everyone.’
* * *
Jo was supervising play in the girls’ playground, holding one end of a long skipping rope. From the corner of her eye she spied Molly hanging back. ‘Come along, Molly. Get into line behind Ann.’
Molly shook her head and began to cough, a hacking congested sound. Jo made a mental note to take her to the doctor herself if Molly was no better in a couple of days.
Two figures were coming through the gates, one leaning against the other. Gasping in surprise, Jo stilled her hand and the rope fell on top Jane Lawry’s head. ‘Aw, miss.’
‘I’m sorry, Jane. Ann, take the rope from me, please.’ She rushed to meet Mercy and her mother, alarmed at Katherine’s ashen face.
‘Oh, Joanna.’ Breaking free from Mercy’s supporting arm, Katherine ran and threw herself at Jo, holding on to her body, resting her coiffed head on her shoulder.
Jo was overwhelmed by the fact her mother was actually seeking comfort from her, then she was fearful. ‘What’s happened? Is it Alistair?’
Katherine began to weep, so Mercy answered. ‘’Tisn’t your brother. Can’t say in front of the kiddies. Do you think Mr Lidgey will mind if we take her to the schoolhouse?’
Marcus had witnessed the scene for himself and overheard Mercy’s question. ‘Of course I don’t mind. Take Mrs Venner into the sitting room. I’ll ask Miss Teague to take over your duties for the rest of the afternoon, Miss Venner. You children, don’t stand and stare, go about your play.’
Jo and Mercy escorted Katherine to the schoolhouse and Marcus joined them a few minutes later, carrying a tray with a glass of brandy on it. ‘I thought you might be in need of this, Mrs Venner.’
‘Thank you, Mr Lidgey,’ Katherine said in a weak voice, holding out her shaking red-varnished fingertips for the brandy. ‘I’m sorry to put everyone out. You see, I’ve had a terrible shock. You tell him, Joanna, dear.’
Jo told him the tale Mercy had just related to her. She was eyeing her mother suspiciously. Katherine had been fond of her pony but she was playing the distraught female rather too convincingly. For Marcus’s benefit? Her loving-mother routine was not fooling Jo.
‘No,’ Mercy said. ‘I must be going. Will you still be coming over to Nance for tea, Jo?’
Jo lifted her brows to enquire from her mother what were her intentions. ‘Oh, do you mind changing your plans, Joanna? I’ve ridden over from St Ives to tell you that I’ve moved into a cottage there. It’s in a lovely quiet spot where I can enjoy the tranquillity. Could you ring for a taxicab and accompany me home?’
‘I’ll come with you, Mother,’ Jo said blandly. Could her mother be feeling lonely now she was living on her own? Did she need her daughter after all these years? Jo thought not. It was more Katherine’s style to dash her off a note with her new address, or even more likely to let her learn the news from Alistair. The most likely explanation was that this visit to her old lover’s stamping ground had gone horrifically wrong. Perhaps she had heard about her romance with Luke from Mardie Dawes’ runaway tongue and had come to challenge her over it. Jo would brace herself for that possibility when they were alone. ‘I’ll come over to Nance for supper, Mercy, and stay the night, if it’s OK with you.’
‘See you later then, Jo,’ Mercy said, leaving without bidding anyone much of a goodbye.
‘Perhaps you’d allow me to drive you home, after I’ve dismissed the school for the day,’ Marcus offered.
‘You are very kind, Mr Lidgey, isn’t he, Joanna?’
When Marcus drew his motorcar up outside the high gates of the four-bedroomed thatched cottage Katherine was renting at St Ives, she insisted he come inside with Jo and look over her home. Katherine had been disinclined towards conversation as she sat beside Jo on the back seat of the Ford coupe, but she chattered enthusiastically as she led the tour of the rooms. Set in a dell which afforded a sweeping view of Porthminster beach, the cottage was charming. It was fully furnished in sturdy dark golden oak, willow-patterned crockery was set on the dresser and light floral curtains and white lace hung at the windows. Baskets of logs and pine cones stood on the slate hearth.
Katherine explained, ‘I’ve employed a daily help to do the domestic work. Don’t you think Meadowsweet is a wonderful name for the place, Joanna?’ She omitted that Alistair was paying the rent and all other expenses.
‘Very nice, Mother.’
‘I wanted a complete change, to strike out while I’m still young and active.’ Katherine took off her jacket and thrust out her chest, then smiled with all her feminine charm at Marcus, who was listening politely to the two women. ‘Would you mind excusing us for just a moment, Mr Lidgey? I need Joanna to help me change out of these clothes.’
Upstairs in Katherine’s bedroom Jo pulled a crêpe de Chine dress out of the wardrobe and helped her mother into it. Every now and then Katherine gave a shiver of shock but Jo did not feel entirely sympathetic for her over her ordeal. She was waiting for her mother’s helpless expression to change to one of furious indignation. ‘What are you up to, Mother?’
‘I don’t follow you.’ Katherine slipped her feet into a pair of very high-heeled shoes and set about reapplying her make-up.
‘You have nothing to say to me?’
‘What about? You know my opinion on your teaching, your continuing disobedience towards me.’ Katherine teased her hair into shining controlled waves and dabbed a musky perfume on her wrists. She wanted Marcus Lidgey to notice her when she went downstairs. ‘Oh, I’ve caught up with you now, Joanna. You’re assuming I came to Parmarth to take you to task over your affair with that gipsy fellow. Yes, I know all about your man.’
Jo studied her mother suspiciously. ‘You’re not going to astound me, are you, by saying you don’t mind?’
‘Joanna, you’ve forgotten I know what it’s like to fall for a handsome working-class man, though yours sounds more lowly than Bob Merrick was. Bob meant more to me than anyone else in the world. Enjoy your affair, Joanna. Don’t forget you can carry on with it after you marry. If you get yourself into a delicate condition consult Mardie Dawes. She’s sorted out a couple of unwanted little problems for me over the years.’
‘Is that the reason why you allow her to come to Tresawna?’
‘Mardie requires hush money, so try not to avail yourself of her services or you’ll end up funding her gambling stakes.’
‘I shall never need to have anything to do with her.’ Jo’s intention was not to conceal that Luke was her lover, she could not countenance ridding herself of his child.
Katherine pursed her painted lips. ‘We’d better go downstairs, it would be impolite keeping Mr Lidgey waiting any longer.’
Marcus had been gazing distractedly out of the front window, anxious to leave and enjoy the drive back alone with Jo.
Katherine sat down on a tapestry-covered wing-back chair, crossing her legs extravagantly.
Jo stayed on her feet; she did not intend to stay here long. ‘Won’t you be lonely here, Mother?’ She was curious. Katherine had always demanded lots of company in the past.
‘I shan’t stay here all the time. Actually, I’ve got a little cat to keep me company. He’s called Tuppence because he’s so tiny. Be a dear, Joanna, and see if he’s hiding in the garden. I’d love for you to see him before you leave.’
Jo followed the request. Meadowsweet must have been empty for years. The back garden was choked and overgrown. An archway sagged under the weight of masses of rambling roses. There was a rockery which had almost disappeared under heather, daphne, saxifrage and homed violets. Rows of raspberry, gooseberry and blackcurrant bushes were tangled and the rhubarb plants had giant leaves. This place would have spurred Jo’s imagination if she had been brought here as a child.
It was a pity Molly had never seen such a delight. She made up her mind to take Molly and Rex on a picnic to Porthmeor Cove on Saturday or take the bus to St Ives where the forlorn little girl could enjoy the sandy beaches.
Rising to her feet, watching from the mullioned window, Katherine waited until Jo was searching for the kitten at the bottom of the garden. ‘Can I get you a sherry or something, Mr Lidgey?’
‘No, thank you.’,
‘You’ve been so kind, Mr Lidgey.’ Katherine gazed into his eyes. Such perfect velvety blackness, and so beautifully tragic in their appeal. ‘Joanna is so happy at the school and now I can see why.’
‘Joanna has brought innovations to the school. Her class is devoted to her,’ Marcus said, eyeing Katherine to see if the facade she was giving as a loving mother would slip. He had heard about the bad feelings between Joanna and her mother and sensed this woman was as devious and manipulative as Eleanor. Why had she come to Parmarth? To persuade Joanna to give up her career? Perhaps she had heard about Joanna’s attachment to Luke Vigus, but there was no sign she had taken Joanna to task when alone with her upstairs. ‘You must be very proud of her, Mrs Venner.’
‘I am indeed. She was such a bright child. Would you like to see some photographs of her? I’ve got some recent ones of her taken at my son’s wedding.’
‘I’d be delighted to.’
‘Oh, dear, I haven’t unpacked them yet. You are most welcome to call again to see them. I’d be interested to hear everything about Joanna’s time at the school. I’d ask her, but she would find it embarrassing. We must exchange telephone numbers in case I want to pass on a message to her. I shall expect a call from you in the very near future.’
Marcus was filled with unease and was relieved when Jo came inside with a tiny, white, half-grown cat in her arms. ‘He was shy at first but I managed to coax him out from the roots of a lilac tree. Shall I take him to the kitchen and feed him for you, Mother?’
‘No, thank you, darling. I feel quite well now and can manage. You had better run along. Mrs Lidgey will be expecting Mr Lidgey.’ Now she had accomplished the first part of her plan, to meet Marcus Lidgey – and he was going to be a satisfying challenge, more reserved than she had imagined – she did not want Jo under her roof a mom
ent longer. Jo’s youth and shining prettiness irritated her, as did her poise and confidence.
Silly little bitch, Katherine thought, glaring at Jo as she waved farewell at the front door. You think you’ve got the world at your feet. No woman did. Not even one with a career and money and ownership of a house.
‘You’re not at all like your mother in looks,’ Marcus said as he made the car crawl along the quiet road. He was recalling Katherine’s hard, over-made-up face and fat breasts straining at her dress.
‘What did you think of her?’
‘She seems charming, I suppose.’ He thought her insincere, a social climber and a bore. ‘Tell me about your childhood, if it’s not an imposition.’
‘I had mixed blessings really, a perfect childhood in comparison with some of my pupils’ lives.’ She launched into an account of her mother’s uncaring attitude, her association with Celia. Marcus listened attentively, gaining insights into what made up Joanna’s character, why she was so strong-willed. Because Katherine Venner obviously despised Joanna, he despised the whorish woman.
* * *
Beth arrived at the Vigus cottage at seven thirty. It took a lot of gentle persuasion to get Rex to wash before he climbed the rope ladder at nine o’clock for bed. While he was undressing, she tucked Molly into the bed they shared, top to tail, where she had lain, feeling poorly, all evening. Beth sat on the camp bed which Luke had provided for her. He had propped his mother’s mattress on its side against the wall, giving more room in the cramped space. She told the children the tale of Holiburn the giant, read the account of the Good Samaritan from the Bible, finally saying a prayer over them. Then she climbed down the rope ladder to Marylyn.
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