Hidden Killers
Page 41
After a short while a very pregnant woman opened the door and introduced herself as Mrs. Taylor. Jane could immediately see why she wanted to sell the flat. She followed the woman up three flights of narrow stairs, and reaching the top floor Mrs. Taylor she had to stand and gasp for breath.
“Are you all right?” Jane asked, concerned.
“Yes, I just get so breathless. I used to run up these stairs before I was pregnant . . . they never bothered me. But I’ve only a month to go and it feels like I’m carrying a sack of coal in front of me!”
Jane followed her into the hallway of the flat. It was mostly all white walls, newly painted. She showed Jane a small, well-equipped kitchen incorporating a dining area with high stools. Straight opposite was a bathroom with new bath, washbasin and toilet. It had fresh flowered tiles, and a heated towel rail.
“My husband has just finished doing this place up. We’ve moved to our new house in Barnes so we’re ready to sell and can exchange right away.”
Jane loved the flat. Although it was small, it was so clean and bright and the two bedrooms, one much larger than the other, were freshly painted and decorated with Laura Ashley wallpaper.
“That’s it!” Mrs. Taylor said, as Jane looked around the larger bedroom, which had fitted wardrobes.
Jane had hoped for a larger flat, with a communal sitting room. But this flat wouldn’t need anything done to it, and she could rent out the smaller bedroom straightaway.
Jane inquired whether any of the furniture was included.
“Yes, everything! I mean, I’ll be taking the bed linen, cutlery and china, but I’m leaving all the furniture as is. And it comes with a new washing machine, fitted fridge and cooker.”
Jane rang her father as soon as she returned to the section house and told him that she thought she had found the flat she wanted to buy.
While she was at work the following day her father went to view it, and during her lunch break she called him to see what he thought.
“Well, you can’t swing a cat in it . . . I mean, there’s no dining room or sitting room, and it’s quite a walk up. Your mother had to have a breather halfway.”
Jane hadn’t realized her mother was also going to look at the flat. She doubted that Mrs. Tennison would approve and was starting to feel disappointed, as her father continued discussing the finances.
“You know it’s only a 22-year lease?”
“Yes, Daddy, but I think the price is fair, and it includes all the furniture . . .”
“There’s no garden. It’s a top floor and there isn’t even a small balcony.”
“Yes, I know that . . . but it’s close to Regent’s Park.”
“And it’s a bit too bloody close to that siege that went on in Balcombe Street, which is just up the road you know, Jane?”
“Yes I do know that, Daddy, but the IRA are hardly likely to target the same area twice and the IRA gang were arrested and awaiting trial . . .”
“Your mother wants to talk to you. . . .”
Jane sighed, certain she would get a negative response.
“I like it dear,” her mother said. “It’s so clean, and has lovely big windows so it’s very light and airy. But don’t you think it’s going to be too small? I mean, you said you were going to need two bedrooms. You could make that the big one into a sitting room, because otherwise you have nowhere to sit and watch the TV so, taking that into consideration I think it will be too expensive to just be there on your own . . .”
Jane was forced to listen to her parents’ pros and cons regarding the flat, as they handed over the phone from one to another. Eventually Jane had had enough.
“I like it and I prefer it to any other flat I’ve seen. I know it may be small, but it’s ideal, for me. I don’t need much space.”
“Where will you park your car?” Mr. Tennison asked.
“There’s residents’ parking outside the house, and when I don’t need the car I can park it in the small lane behind your flat.”
“Well, that’s fine by me. It’s in a good position for the underground station and then Marylebone Station is just up the road. But I doubt you’ll be able to rent out that small bedroom.”
Jane was becoming increasingly argumentative and now insisted that she wanted to go ahead.
“Well it’s £24,000, and with that short lease I’m not sure it’s a good prospect. But I’ll talk to the mortgage broker in the morning. We’ve made a file of your income and future earnings, and if I put down £10,000, let’s see what they think about it.”
“That’s very generous of you, Daddy.”
“Well you’ll eventually have to pay me back, but if you really want this flat then in the end it’s your choice.”
As she put the phone down Jane felt relieved, and grateful to her father.
“Everything all right, luv?” Edith asked.
“My father’s OK about me buying the flat. I can’t wait to move in and have my own independence . . . no more section house rules and regulations . . .”
“Well, don’t get too excited yet, Jane, everything has to be signed on the dotted line before the purchase goes through.”
“I know, I know . . .”
“And then there’s the police regulations to follow: your move must be approved by a Chief Super, neighbors have to be checked out for criminal records . . .”
“Yes I know Edith.” Jane sighed, wishing she hadn’t said anything in the first place.
“And you need permission if you want to get married.”
“I’ve no intention of getting married yet Edith, but I might take in a lodger.”
“Well you’ll need permission for that as well.”
“God, this job wants to know the ins and outs of everything, even my personal life.”
Edith put her straight, tapping the side of her nose. “Listen dear . . . it feels like they want to know the color of your knickers, but just make sure it’s all reported in line with police regulations.”
As she was about to leave the station DCI Shepherd called Jane into his office again. He was quite abrupt, saying that he had been in talks with the team and the DCI heading up the Dip Squad at Vine Street Police Station, and she could start there immediately, from the beginning of the following week.
“You’ll work with a splendid officer, DCI Church. There’s about ten or twelve officers on his team and you’ll work shifts, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. mostly or 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. I’ve arranged a six-month attachment and at the end of it the DCI will make the decision regarding whether you will continue with them or not.”
He stood up. “Good luck Tennison. I hope you’ll find this attachment more to your liking. I’ve arranged for your replacement, a male officer, to start next Monday. You can spend the rest of this week completing any outstanding reports and paperwork.”
“I really appreciate this, sir. If my replacement needs me to go over anything while I’m still here then I will be only too pleased to do whatever is necessary.”
He shook her hand. “I am sure he will be quite capable Tennison.”
“Yes, sir.”
Instead of feeling excited by the prospect of joining the new team she felt a little nervous and wondered if perhaps she had been over enthusiastic. DCI Shepherd’s attitude had not been very positive, in fact the reverse. She had also noted that he had made it clear her replacement would be a male officer. But it was too late to change her mind now, so she concentrated her thoughts on arranging the final details of her mortgage with the bank and making the final purchase of the flat.
Jane’s last day finally arrived and Edith bought Jane a housewarming-leaving present, of a table cloth and matching napkins. It was thoughtful of her but Jane doubted she would ever use them as the folding table in the kitchen had a Formica top.
“I’m going to miss you, Jane.” Edith said.
“I’ll miss you too Edith. You’ve always been such a good friend to me, and I hope we’ll stay in touch.”
“I’m sure we will.
Please keep me updated on how it’s all going with the Dip Squad. When do you start?”
“Next week. And tomorrow I’m picking up the keys to my new flat so it’s going to be a busy weekend.”
Edith watched as Jane filled up a cardboard box with her personal items. She suspected that Jane would be in touch sooner than she expected, because from what she had heard about the unit Jane was in for a big change. The Dip Squad sounded like a bunch of hooligans.
The next morning, Jane unlocked the door of number 33 and walked in to the flat she now owned. Her parents were helping her move and she could hear them panting their way up the stairs with suitcases of clothes and the few boxes of personal items that she’d accumulated during her time at the section house. Jane walked into the small kitchen. The previous owner had put fresh flowers in a jam jar on the kitchen table, and had left milk, sugar and a loaf of bread on the side. She’d also left Jane a note wishing her good luck and hoping that she would like living in the flat as much as she had.
Eventually her parents left and Jane was alone for the first time in her new home. She carried her suitcase into the bedroom and sat down on the bare mattress on the bed. She hugged herself, feeling as though she had made the right decision.