False fire

by Veronica Heley

  ‘She is accusing you of assault, claiming loss of wages, pain and suffering. Also the cost of replacing her pearls. She has the evidence to back up her claim in the form of photographs of her bruises.’

  ‘Tell her to claim on the house’s insurance.’

  ‘The house didn’t cause her bruises and loss of wages. You did.’ He shut up his notebook. ‘Mrs Abbot, the police have enough to do without dealing with matters such as these which are best settled in the small-claims courts. When you receive a summons, I advise you to settle Miss Starman’s claim quickly. You don’t want this aired in the tabloid newspapers, do you? Think how it would look. “Model loses pearls and career at millionaire’s party”.’ He flattened his eyelids at her. He really was an intimidating person.

  Bea stared at the man. Thinking hard. ‘I can produce a witness who saw exactly what happened.’

  ‘I daresay. It is always good to prepare your defence in advance.’ The man didn’t even refer back to his notebook. ‘A “friend” of yours, no doubt?’

  ‘You mean: was Sir Leon Holland the man who helped me to get everyone out of the burning house?’

  ‘He’s your live-in boyfriend, I believe.’

  A false note. What rubbish had Faye been feeding the police? ‘You are mistaken. It was a completely different man. Hang on a minute. Why isn’t she suing the family for the loss of her pearls?’

  ‘They didn’t assault her.’

  ‘Or maybe Gideon isn’t being that helpful to his girlfriend? Doesn’t want to be bothered? He’s got a lot on his plate, without her wittering on about her lost pearls.’

  He slitted his eyes at her. ‘You think that because you have money, you can throw a poor working girl aside?’

  Bea checked herself from saying some hasty words. She picked up Teddy and stroked him. His fur was soft and tickly. A very present comfort in time of trouble. Dear Lord. I’d like to smash this man’s face in … not that I could. I can hardly lift my hand to my head, never mind assaulting him.

  She put Teddy down, and said, ‘Sorry, mate. You’ve come to the wrong house. I suppose Faye reported this to the police station and flapped her eyelashes at you till you were fool enough to fall for her sob story. Tell Faye to go and get a solicitor – which will cost her money – who will advise her that Mrs Abbot has no case to answer. Tell her that if she tries to sue me for bruises or whatever, I in turn will sue her for endangering my life and the lives of the two children by begging us to search for her pearls despite the danger.’

  He gave her a hard, flat stare. She had to admit he did it rather well. ‘I am sure Sir Leon will be delighted to help you defray Miss Starman’s costs, in order to keep his name out of the papers.’

  That amused Bea. Leon wouldn’t pay up. Why should he? ‘Pull the other one.’

  ‘Well, I have done my bit, and you must decide what attitude you are prepared to take when the matter comes up in court. As I say, you’d best be advised to settle her claim before it gets that far. Understood?’ He got up to leave. ‘I’ll see myself out.’

  She followed him to the door and watched him stride off down the street. She wondered if Faye were waiting in a car nearby to see how he’d got on. But he went to the end of the road and turned left. Going to the nearest tube station?

  What a very strange interview. He hadn’t written anything down that she’d said to him. She supposed he was off duty … doing a favour for a pretty girl. A bit naughty. Not a real threat, surely?

  She was so tired! What a nuisance this all was. She supposed she’d have to alert her own solicitor on Monday. But she was not, definitely not, going to pay blackmail money to Miss Starman, complain she never so loudly.

  Beatrice lifted her face to the sky, which was darkening. Somewhere nearby a rocket pinged into the sky and splattered green and blue stars.

  She shuddered. She didn’t think anyone under her roof was going to enjoy fireworks for some time to come. Nor, come to think of it, would Winston, who always scuttled for the stationery cupboard when he was frightened. No real need to worry about him, provided he was indoors when the noise began. She must check. Back to the fray.

  TEN

  Saturday early evening

  ‘Ah, there you are, Bea!’ Leon, smiling, with Bernice at his side.

  Bernice was excited, eyes shining … eyes too bright, too heavy-lidded. Early to bed for this little one? Bernice jigged up and down. ‘We’re going to Disneyland in Paris. Lissy as well! I can hardly wait!’

  Leon was pleased with himself. ‘You’ll come too, won’t you, Bea? I don’t think I could cope with the excitement of meeting Mickey Mouse all by myself.’

  Which meant, Bea guessed, that he wanted her to make all the arrangements. Once upon a time Leon had been a mover and shaker, making deals here, flying there, shifting millions around the world, but he’d grown lazy since he’d sold off most of the Holland empire, and now he deputed other people to do his dirty work for him.

  ‘Disneyland?’ said Bea, trying for enthusiasm, ‘I’m sure the girls will love it. Did you think we were going out to supper tonight?’

  ‘I thought we deserved a treat, after last night. You can get a baby-sitter for Bernice, can’t you?’

  ‘I’m sorry, Leon. I have a house full. I’ve got Steve here as well as Bernice, and William’s bringing Alicia back soon. Quite frankly, I’m bushed and could do with an early night myself. I’ll have to try to find something for us all to eat here. You’re welcome to join us.’ His face fell, and she realized she hadn’t couched the invitation in the warmest of terms.

  He shrugged. ‘Oh well. Perhaps I’ll drop in at the club.’ He’d recently been put up for some prestigious club or other, Bea wasn’t sure which one. She actually thought it a good idea for him to have somewhere to go in the evenings. He really wasn’t a domestic animal. Perhaps he should take up golf?

  She said, ‘Ring me tomorrow? Oh, and is Sybil on her way back and what is happening about the school?’

  Bernice danced around the room. ‘Disneyland, here we come!’

  Leon consulted his watch. ‘Sybil should be here tomorrow. She said she’d phone me when she’d got a flight. So … well, let me know how you get on, will you?’

  A rocket wheezed off into the sky and burst like bullets from a gun. Bernice froze in mid dance step and Leon had the grace to look uneasy. ‘Just a stray firework. Nothing to worry about. I hope you’re not going to have a bad night with the girls, Bea. But there! You’ll cope, won’t you?’ He kissed Bernice and Bea, and let himself out.

  Bea looked down at Bernice, who looked back up at her, a serious little girl once more. Slightly scared but trying not to show it. Bea said, ‘He’s right, you know. Nothing’s going to get you here.’

  Bernice said, ‘I know that!’ Hiding anxiety. Brave girl.

  Bea thrust her fingers back through her hair. ‘What next? Food?’

  The front doorbell rang … and, at the same time, someone turned a key in the lock. Mel entered, ushering in William, who was carrying a sleepy Alicia in his arms.

  As per usual, thought Bea. Alicia’s family make a habit of getting other people to carry them through difficult times, don’t they?

  ‘Lissy!’ cried Bernice, jumping up and down like a jack-in-a-box. ‘We’re going to Disneyland!’

  Alicia opened her eyes and slid to the floor, showing signs of returning life. ‘Cool!’

  ‘And,’ said Bernice, catching Alicia by the hand and leading her to the stairs. ‘We’re sleeping up at the top of the house by ourselves, and there’s a kitchen next door, so we can have a midnight feast! Come and see!’

  Bea threw up her hands. ‘I’m too old for this! Midnight feasts, indeed. What have they been reading?’

  ‘Enid Blyton?’ suggested Mel, humping in a small tote bag. She laughed. ‘I’ll see to them if you like, Mrs Abbot. A light supper and then … is there a DVD player upstairs? I brought some Disney films for them to watch. They probably know them all by heart but I thought
it might calm them down before going to bed.’

  ‘I’ll see to the food and, as for a telly, there are two up there.’ Bea narrowed her eyes as William propped himself up against the wall. If he sat down, he’d fall asleep. Like Steve.

  Another rocket went off nearby and William blenched.

  Bea looked up the stairs. The children would now be out of earshot, hopefully. ‘Do you think they’re going to be all right? Aren’t the fireworks going to bring it all back to them?’

  Mel grimaced. ‘Nightmares, you think? I promise to stick to them like glue.’ She went off up the stairs.

  William was grey with exhaustion. ‘Where did you find that girl? Worth her weight.’

  Bea held out her hand to him. ‘William, don’t fall asleep yet. Look, Steve has brought over your night things. Would you like me to put them in the washing machine for you? They’ll stink of the fire.’

  ‘Ugh?’ he said. And tried to focus on the bag. ‘No, that’s not mine.’

  Bea sighed. He was obviously too far gone to recognize his own bag. ‘All right, we’ll leave that for the moment. You should have something to eat before you go to your hotel. Come into the kitchen and tell me what’s been happening while I see to the food.’

  He followed her, walking heavily, feeling his age as she was feeling hers. She investigated the freezer. ‘I have a big fish pie here. That’ll take a few minutes in the microwave. Frozen veg. Anything you don’t like?’

  ‘Celery.’

  ‘Really? OK. No celery. Fruit and cheese for afters? If you can stay awake that long.’

  He passed the heels of his hands over his eyes. ‘Bless you. Daphne … I’m worried about her, I’m not sure why. I asked the nurses, there was no doctor available. They had talked about sending her home today but changed their minds and are keeping her in till tomorrow. The nurse said Daphne was coming on nicely. Alicia was a bit shocked at her mother’s appearance, I think, but I told her hospital lighting isn’t kind to women. Daphne loves Alicia. Of course she does, but she’s not well.’

  Bea wanted to say ‘Humph!’ but refrained. With an effort.

  William said, ‘Alicia told Daphne she was staying here with you and Bernice. She did say she didn’t want to go back to that school. Daphne said she’d think about it but I’m not sure she was taking it in.’

  Bea set the microwave going, hoping there’d be enough for Mel and the girls as well. ‘So you didn’t get her to sign a letter removing Alaric from guardianship?’

  A long, heavy sigh. ‘I brought the subject up. She didn’t seem to understand what I was on about.’

  Bea took a large pack of mixed veg out of the freezer. She could only hope there wasn’t any celery in it. But if there was … well, tough! He would have to fish the pieces out and leave them at the side of his plate. She said, ‘You didn’t press her to sign.’

  No, of course he wouldn’t. Not William. He wouldn’t think it ethical to do so while Daphne was unwell. He would probably regret not doing so later.

  He said, ‘I did think of it, and of getting a nurse to witness her signature. But if it were challenged, we’d be on a hiding to nothing because I couldn’t honestly say she was of sound mind and knew what she was doing. Would you have got her to sign?’

  ‘I’d have argued it back and forth in my head and then have done as you did.’

  He said, ‘She kept asking for Giorgio. Fretting. Then she went on about Steve, asking why he hadn’t come to fetch her. She said he wants her to go to some hotel or other but she doesn’t fancy it because she’s no clothes or toiletries with her. She says Steve promised to fetch her her things. She doesn’t know about the fire, or even about her father. If she’s been told, she hasn’t remembered. Alicia was horrified. She went dumb and kept looking at me to tell her mother about the fire, but I didn’t. I haven’t a clue whether that was the right thing to do or not.’

  ‘You judged her too frail to hear bad news.’

  Again he rubbed his eyes. ‘She’s only, what, thirty-five? I’ve known her all her life.’

  ‘You think she’s not doing as well as she ought?’

  ‘The hospital ought to know what they’re doing but yes, I’m worried about her.’

  ‘You’ve got a headache? A migraine?’

  ‘Headache. Have you any aspirin?’

  ‘Mm. Eat first. You’ve decided what you’re going to do about Alicia?’

  ‘I have an idea.’ He picked up Teddy, who had ended up on the central unit. ‘Hello, Mr Bear.’

  ‘Mr Bear? Was that your name for your bear when you were little?’

  ‘What was it for you? It is your bear, isn’t it?’

  ‘Mm. Teddy. I was told it was “Teddy” when I was given it, and I didn’t question it. I was an obedient child.’

  He bent over in a gust of laughter. ‘You could have fooled me.’

  ‘I was,’ she insisted. ‘Well, most of the time, anyway. You had a teddy bear, too?’

  ‘Indeed. Not a Steiff. A Merrythought? Have I remembered that correctly?’

  ‘I imagined it might comfort the children to hold it, but it’s been picked up and cuddled by all sorts of people today. Even by Steve.’

  Bea laid the table, and William stroked the bear. Smiling a little. Back in childhood? She found she was smiling, too. She said, ‘In a minute I’m going to dish up and call the others down for food. I don’t suppose Steve will wake up. I rather hope he doesn’t.’

  His mind was on other things.

  She said, ‘Steve said you were Lord Morton. I didn’t know. You might have told me.’

  He stroked the bear’s nose. ‘I wasn’t sure what your position was. I was told you were Leon’s friend.’

  Oh. She suspended all movement. Even breathing. Suddenly the situation had changed. He wanted to know …? Was he asking her if she were Leon’s property? Yes, he was.

  Which meant that … Her brain zigzagged.

  It meant he was interested in her for himself?

  Oh. And how did she feel about that? Well, to be honest, she wasn’t sure.

  He was waiting for a reply. She realized that whatever she said next was going to decide the future for both of them. He was not asking the question lightly. He wanted to know if Leon were serious about her, and if she were serious about Leon. If she said that she was, then he would walk away from her and that would be that. He’d go back to his hotel room tonight. They might meet now and again in the future, or they might not. There’d be no second chances. He wasn’t that kind of man.

  If she said she was not serious about Leon, he would take it as encouragement to explore their relationship further. It was up to her.

  Panic! Permission to panic, Captain Mainwaring!

  Do I want to see more of him? Well, yes. Probably.

  I like him enormously. I respect him. I think he’s rather … oh, I’m blushing!

  I’m fond of Leon but he can be a pain, and I’ve never thought of taking him into my bed. No. Well, only occasionally and not with any urgency.

  But this man … Oh my God! I am blushing!

  At my age!

  I’m lonely, that’s all. I’ve been so lonely since my dear husband died. And yes, sometimes in bed at night … Oh, this is ridiculous! I ought to be well past … All right, I am interested in taking this further.

  My heart is beating so fast that …

  Calm down, Bea. Let’s not rush into anything.

  She said, ‘Leon? He’s a very good friend. We’ve been through a lot together. We’ve talked about the future, now and then. Only somehow we’ve never got round to committing ourselves. We probably never will, now.’

  ‘You were wearing an engagement ring last night.’

  ‘It’s the one my dear husband gave me when we married. He died abroad. And yes, I’m sure that says something about my unwillingness to commit to anyone else.’

  William smiled. He pressed the bear’s stomach, and Teddy obliged with a growl. William liked her answer, and he liked it tha
t the bear still had a growl.

  He said, ‘I live in a Georgian house just outside Winchester with a married couple to look after me. I busy myself restoring old buildings.’

  ‘You like living in the country?’ She wasn’t sure she would like it. Not at all.

  ‘I was born and brought up there. Until recently I rented a flat up here in Town, but I found I wasn’t getting much use out of it, so when the lease was up, I let it go. Perhaps I’ll look around for something else now.’

  Now? Did he mean he wanted another flat so that he could see more of her?

  If they married and he moved in with her …

  Marriage? She was thinking he wanted to marry her?

  And, did she really want to venture into matrimony again? Er, probably not. At least … No, no. This was going too fast. She’d only known him for, what, twenty-four hours? She wanted to say, ‘Oh, sir! This is so sudden!’

  Be honest with yourself, Bea. You knew you could be serious about this man as soon as you set eyes on him … no, in the hall of the burning house last night, when you gave him your phone, knowing that meant you’d be left in the dark, trusting him …

  She said, speaking in a light tone, ‘I’m not ready to retire yet.’

  ‘I’ve come to that conclusion, too. I need to rethink what I’m going to do next. I have friends who’ve taken up golf and invite me to join them. Or, I might stand for the council.’

  ‘But you’ve decided against?’

  ‘Golf is a selfish sport. Politics is a dirty game.’

  She drained the vegetables and put them in a serving dish. She wasn’t sure where this new relationship was going, but if he was content to take it gently, then she’d go along for the ride. ‘I’ll call the others down.’

  As she reached the stairs, a cluster of rockets went off. Startled, she put her hand to her heart. The authorities frowned on people letting off fireworks in their back gardens, but some householders would always set off a few instead of attending one of the big, organized displays. She hoped the noise wouldn’t wake Steve. She hoped it wasn’t going to upset the children. She feared they were all in for a broken night.