by Mona Marple
Derrick grinned. “You’ve already done enough for me, lady. I don’t want you to go to any trouble. I can handle a few more nights there.”
“I bet your mum’s excited to be getting you back home?” Sandy asked.
“I haven’t seen her since I left.” Derrick admitted. “I couldn’t bring myself to visit. Visiting’s alright but then you’ve gotta leave again. Easier to just pretend.”
“Well, you’ll be home soon.” Sandy said, giving Derrick’s arm a squeeze. She couldn’t imagine experiencing such things at his age and choosing to sacrifice himself so his younger siblings had more. “I’ll nip to the bank at lunch and sort your wages.”
Derrick grinned and planted a kiss on her forehead, just as they reached the cafe.
To Sandy’s surprise, Tom Nelson was standing outside. “What happened? I heard a racket but Bernice said you’d got it handled.”
Sandy laughed. “Remind me to thank Bernice!”
“Sure you’re ok?” Tom asked, his eyes narrowing with concern.
Sandy felt her cheeks burn. “I’m fine, but Gus has caught the graffiti artist.”
“Ouch.” Tom said, smiling to reveal a perfect dimple in his cheek. “I can guess who came off worse.”
“He’s going to kill all the squatters.” Derrick said, raising his eyebrows in exclamation. “I’m late for work, see you in there Sandy.”
He walked into the cafe and left Sandy standing with Tom, who was gazing at her as he had on quiz night.
“Well, I should, I should get back too.” Sandy stuttered, pointing behind her to the cafe door, where she knew Coral and probably half of the customers would be watching her and gossiping.
“Did he really say he’d kill them?” Tom asked.
Sandy nodded. “I’ll kill you all. They were his exact words.”
“Geeze.” Tom said, shaking his head. “We should tell Poppy.”
Sandy felt her heart race at there being a ‘we’ that comprised her and Tom Nelson. “Yes, we definitely should.”
“Shall we see her together? I could nip out this evening. You might already have plans?”
“No, no. I could do that.” Sandy said. “You don’t think he might mean it, do you, Tom?”
Tom gazed across the square at the butcher’s and Sandy followed his gaze. The pavement was empty now, the graffiti menace must have recovered enough to hobble away. As they watched, Gus appeared at the shop door in his blue and white striped apron and stared across to his right, towards Waterfell Manor.
“I don’t know.” Tom said. “I really don’t know.”
9
Tom Nelson insisted on picking Sandy up from home.
She spent 30 minutes lounging in a scaldingly hot bath reading her latest mystery novel, and that left her with not enough time to get ready.
She dried herself quickly and gave her hair a quick straighten, then considered her reflection in the mirror. She was clueless about makeup really and wished she’d asked Cass to come over and do it for her.
But, it wasn’t a date, and Tom Nelson had seen her often enough to notice if she appeared looking like a drag queen. She didn’t want to appear too keen.
They were just acquaintances who were both concerned about a friend. The evening was an act of civic duty really, not romance.
With that thought in mind, she applied some blusher to her cheeks and a coat of mascara to her eyelashes, then pouted her lips and applied a baby pink lipgloss.
“That’ll do.” She said to her reflection. With that, she sat and waited in her cosy living room, sneaking in another few pages of her book.
She was impressed when a knock at her front door came at exactly 7pm, and tried to ignore the flutter in her chest.
“Nice place!” Tom said by way of a greeting, as Sandy opened the door. He was dressed as he always was, in a checked shirt and faded jeans. He looked incredibly handsome.
“Oh, thanks. Do you want to come in?” Sandy asked, hoping her question appeared as the polite offer it was and not as a flirtatious remark. “While I grab my coat?”
“Sure.” Tom said, smiling at her. He followed her into the living room and, to her surprise, went straight to the fireplace and examined the photographs on the mantelpiece.
“Make yourself at home.” Sandy said. “Do you want a drink?”
“Well, what are we doing?” Tom asked, turning to face her. “Are we going to see Poppy? We could have a drink after?”
“Good plan.” Sandy said, annoyed with herself for being so jittery. Her mum had always taught her that expressing an emotion removed its power, so she tested it out. “I’m really nervous, sorry.”
“Hey, don’t be.” He said, moving closer to her. “I can do the talking if you want? It’ll be okay. Poppy needs to know.”
Sandy nodded. “You’re right. Let’s do it.”
The two left the house and Tom drove them across the village, past the police station, to the terraced home where Gus and Poppy Sanders lived. Tom parked up on the pavement outside the house, which was in darkness.
“Looks like they’re out?” Sandy said.
“Gus will be.” Tom said, climbing out of the car door. “Come on.”
Sandy followed Tom up the small path to the front door, where he knocked three times. The door opened, and Poppy appeared in a chunky cardigan and leggings. She grinned at Tom and wrapped her arms around him, and Sandy felt her stomach churn with jealousy.
“Oh!” Poppy exclaimed, noticing Sandy standing behind Tom. “You’re together? Come in.”
Sandy noticed how her presence made Poppy appear less relaxed, but she followed Poppy into the house. Poppy lead them into the front living room, which was more old-fashioned than Sandy had imagined. Above the fireplace was a cabinet filled with guns.
“Wow, are those real?” Sandy asked, standing and looking at them. She had never seen a real gun before, and even being in a room with them made her feel nervous.
Poppy laughed. “They are. Gus likes to think he’s a hunter-gatherer or something. It’s locked, don’t worry. So, this is a surprise, what can I do for you both?”
“It’s about Gus.” Tom began. Sandy noted how at home he seemed as he sprawled across one of the floral-patterned settees. She took a seat in a single armchair and left the talking to Tom.
“What’s he done now?” Poppy asked, sitting in the other single chair without offering them drinks.
“More fighting.” Tom said. “And this time he’s threatened to kill someone… well, several people.”
“And you saw this, did you?” Poppy asked, looking right at Sandy.
“I did.” Sandy said. “Hasn’t he told you about it?”
“He won’t have been home yet.” Tom said. The intimacy between him and Poppy made Sandy uncomfortable. “Am I right?”
Poppy sighed. “He won’t be long. Tom, you’ve got to stop this, he’s my husband.”
“And you deserve better.” Tom said.
Sandy stood up. “I’m going to leave you two to it, I don’t think I need to be here.”
“Oh, don’t go, Sandy.” Poppy said. “My brother is a little over protective of me, that’s all.”
“Your brother?” Sandy asked.
“Poppy’s my little sister, didn’t you know that?” Tom asked.
“No… no, I didn’t.” Sandy said, laughing at her own foolishness. The revelation highlighted how little she knew Tom Nelson and how silly she had been to imagine the evening as being any more than a way of him finding an unbiased person to share his opinion of Gus Sanders. “Poppy, Gus caught someone graffiting today. There was a scuffle, and Gus threatened to kill all of the squatters.”
Poppy’s face blanched. “He really said that?”
Sandy nodded.
Poppy sighed. “I can’t believe he’d be so stupid when there’s just been a murder.”
“You’ve got your job to think about.” Tom urged. “The school won’t want a teacher’s husband going around the village threatening to kill people
.”
“It’s just words, Tom, you know what he’s like when he gets angry. And the graffiti has nearly ruined his business! He would never hurt anyone.”
“Poppy, are you listening? Sandy had to split up a fight he was having. He has hurt someone! And only stopped because a woman interrupted him.”
“I’ll deal with it.” Poppy said. She stood up. “I need to be on my own for a bit. I appreciate you coming and telling me, but I need to be alone.”
Sandy and Tom stood up and saw themselves out of the house. They stood together at the side of Tom’s car.
“You really didn’t know she was my sister?” Tom asked after a few moments.
Sandy laughed. “I don’t think I know much at all about you, really.”
“Well, we can’t have that.” Tom said, flashing her his winning smile - and dimple. “How about that drink?”
“Sure.” Sandy said, not wanting to risk the gossip mill by going to The Tweed. “I’ve got a bottle of wine at mine, fancy it?”
“Sounds good.” Tom said. “Let’s have a drive first, though, is that OK?”
“Yeah, sure.” Sandy said. They climbed into the car and Tom drove out of the village and into the Peak District. The scenery was beautiful, and Sandy sat back and looked out of the window.
“I love driving around.” Tom said after a few minutes of happy silence. “Just heading off with nowhere to go, see where I end up.”
“What do you do, when you’re not running The Tweed?” Sandy asked. “I never see you in the cafe.”
“Sorry about that.” Tom said. “I have to be careful with what I eat. All I have to do is look through your window and I put weight on.”
Sandy laughed. “I know what you mean. It can be dangerous for the waistline, running a cake shop.”
“I keep meaning to come in now there’s more books.” Tom admitted. “I love books. Just need to see if I can race by the cake counter unhurt.”
Sandy laughed again. “Good luck with that. What books do you like?”
“Never met one I don’t like. I read the classics, I even like some poetry believe it or not.”
“Really?” Sandy asked in surprise.
“I know! I mean, I don’t read as much as I used to. I sleep in late, my sleep pattern’s pretty messed up. That’s what running a pub will do for you.”
“I’m the opposite. Up early.”
“Yeah, you’ve got to have all the food ready before you open, that must be a killer.”
“Not really, I like being the first one up. The village is so quiet and peaceful.”
“I bet I’m only in bed an hour before you wake up.” Tom said as they drove to an elevated point overlooking a beautiful valley. Tom parked the car and looked at Sandy. “Ever been here before?”
Sandy looked out into the darkness and squinted. “I don’t think so?”
“It’s Black Rock. The views here in the day are amazing. We must come some time.” Tom said.
“I’d like that.” Sandy admitted, feeling her cheeks flush. “Can we have a look now too?”
“Sure thing.” Tom said, and they each got out of the car. Tom walked across to Sandy and took her hand in his. “Hold on, it’s a sudden drop, we don’t want to go too close.”
“Ok.” Sandy breathed, her heart racing with the feeling of her fingers being linked through Tom’s.
“Hey, I never got to ask what it was like to solve a murder case.” Tom said.
Sandy shook her head. “I’ve put all that behind me.”
“Really? I thought you’d have a theory about this homeless man’s hit and run.”
Sandy took a deep breath. “I guess I’ve learned that I like a quiet life. I’m letting the police do their job.”
Tom grinned. “Hopefully they don’t hear about Gus.”
“Do you not like him?”
“Argh… I don’t dislike him. He’s fine. My sister can’t see any bad in him and that drives me mad because he finishes work and goes straight to the pub every night, leaving her sitting in darkness at home. But that doesn’t make him a murderer.”
“Hmm.” Sandy murmured.
“I’d probably be just as angry as he is, to be honest if someone did that outside my pub.”
“Me too.” Sandy blurted. “Outside my cafe, I mean.”
Tom laughed. “Let’s get back for that wine, it’s too cold up here.”
They got back in the car and sank into a comfortable silence, each one lost in their thoughts. Sandy flexed her fingers, noticing how her hand felt strange and empty without Tom holding it. She shook her head; he had been keeping her safe from the drop, that’s all.
After a few short minutes of driving through peaceful country roads and winding lanes, the familiar sign greeted them announcing that they were entering Waterfell Tweed.
Please drive safely through our village! The sign requested.
“That’s a bit ironic now, isn’t it?” Tom said, also noticing the sign.
“Yeah, it is.” Sandy said.
“What’s going on up there?” Tom asked as they reached the village square. A dark shape was stood in the middle of the road, facing them. The person had their arms outstretched upwards, and appeared to be screaming for help that was not coming. A dark shape lay in the road in front of the person.
“Isn’t that…” Sandy began, thinking she recognised the silent screamer.
Tom stopped the car and unbuckled his seat belt. “Have you got a phone? We might need to call for help.”
They both jumped out of his car and walked towards the scene.
“Hello?” Sandy called.
“Help?” A familiar voice called. “There’s been another murder! Help!”
10
“We can only tell next of kin.” Jim Slaughter explained from behind the custody desk of the police station. “I’m sorry Sandy, it’s resources, cost-cutting, you know.”
“I understand.” Sandy said. If the police wouldn’t share the news, she would have to. She had given her statement to the police and expected Tom to be waiting for her in the station after having given his, but he was gone. Sandy tried not to be disappointed.
She said goodbye to Jim and trudged out of the station, feeling silly with her rosy cheeks and made-up eyes. Then, she avoided the High Street, which was still cordoned off in places, and continued instead down Water Lane, past the hair salon and the bakers and the Chinese takeaway on the corner, past the vet’s and the row of terraced houses until she reached the house she wanted.
She gazed at it, taking a deep breath, then opened the wooden gate and walked up the short path before rapping at the door. The house was in darkness, it was almost midnight, and there was no noise for a few moments, then Sandy heard the stomping of feet racing down the stairs. A bleary-eyed Cass opened the door, a fluffy dressing gown wrapped around her.
“What’s wrong?” She asked, holding the door open. “Do you know what time it is?”
“I need to talk to Olivia.” Sandy said.
“Now?” Cass asked.
“Yeah… It can’t wait. I don’t want her to hear it from anyone else.” Sandy said, fighting back her own tears.
“Oh my God, what is it?” Cass asked, collapsing onto the second step of the stairs.
A noise from the top of the stairs made them both look up. Standing at the top of the staircase, dressed in an oversized tee shirt, stood Olivia.
“Olivia… come down.” Sandy asked, noticing that her own teeth were chattering.
“What’s wrong, Auntie Sandy?” Olivia asked, walking down the stairs as asked.
“Let’s go in the living room.” Sandy said, knowing the house like the back of her hand. She lead the three of them into the living room, where she sat on the floor and crossed her legs. Olivia looked at Cass and frowned, then copied. Cass stifled a yawn and joined the two of them on the floor.
“I’ve got some bad news.” Sandy began. “There’s been another accident, another hit and run, tonight.”
“Who was hit?” Cass asked.
“It was Derrick.” Sandy said, and a shiver ran up her body as she thought back to recognising the figure on the ground as being her newest employee.
“No!” Olivia wailed, jumping up from the floor and pacing the room. “You’re lying!”
“I’m not lying, Olivia. I wanted to tell you myself… I know you’re close to him.”
“Is he dead?” Olivia asked.
Sandy took a breath. “No. He’s in hospital, but he was very badly hurt, Olivia. He might not pull through.”
“He has to.” Olivia said, then turned her gaze to Cass. “We need to see him.”
Cass nodded. “I’ll get dressed.”
Olivia pounded up the stairs, Cass following behind in a daze. Sandy followed her up the stairs and sat on her unmade bed as she pulled on some leggings and a dark jumper.
“Who did this?” Cass asked, her voice thick with emotion. “Who could mow down an innocent teenager?”
Sandy thought back to Gus’ threat earlier in the day. “I don’t know.”
“Don’t you want to find out?” Cass asked. “You’re good at this, Sandy, you could help the police. Someone has to stop this happening.”
Sandy watched her friend but said nothing. She had given the police days to make progress on the case and couldn’t bear the thought that her actions - or lack of - had put Derrick in grave danger.
“Come on, let’s go.” Olivia said, appearing in the doorway in an outfit almost identical to the one Cass was wearing.
“I’ll come with you.” Sandy said.
The journey across town was in silence. If Olivia had questions, she chose not to ask them, and Sandy had no energy to make polite small talk. Her body was bone tired, her mind racing with adrenaline. She felt as if she was experiencing some kind of bizarre jetlag.
The hospital was a buzz of activity, with doctors and nurses milling around, patients being woken to have their vitals checked yet again, and the few visitors who hadn’t gone home pacing the corridors. Olivia and Cass were shown into Derrick’s room, where his body was hooked up to wires and machines, and Sandy took a seat outside.