by Ellen Dean
Beth watched as the women left the cafeteria; they walked arm-in-arm across the car park, and then got into separate cars. Beth grabbed her bag aiming to write down the registration numbers, but was too slow. Both cars sped out onto the southbound slip road.
Chapter 29
In Brighton, Lindsay searched the police computer records thoroughly, without much success, except for an incident a couple of years earlier when Penny Corday’s name appeared in a boating accident report that left five people dead. Exactly what had happened was never discovered. Puzzled, Lindsay scratched her head. Why should an ultra-expensive Interpol investigation have been conducted? And despite that investigation still no answers were found for the accident and the deaths. Apparently there was no evidence to go on. Penny, the only survivor, claimed to suffer complete amnesia. How very convenient for her.
Thankful for their efficient system, Lindsay easily located the relevant files in the police archives. Carefully sifting through the contents of several dusty boxes her adrenaline raced as she picked up a file marked ‘Lady Penelope Corday - Strictly Confidential - Issue on a need to know basis only.’ Boy, this woman must have friends in high places. She flipped the file open. It was empty.
* * * * * * * *
‘Hello, Beth, did you just get in? How was the weekend with the lovely Lou?’ Lindsay said over the phone.
‘Well,’ Beth paused, ‘she wants us to live together!’ she blurted out.
‘Wow! That’s a bit sudden, isn’t it? Aren’t you rushing things? After all, I haven’t met her yet.’ Flatly attempting to joke, her statement was serious. ‘Well, what are you going to do? Did you give her an answer?’ Distracted, running her fingers through her hair, Lindsay reached for the whisky, her initial panic allayed as she listened to Beth explaining her plans. She must meet this Lou, and soon, just in case Beth did something stupid. Beth had got herself in with a dangerous crowd, and Lindsay didn’t know if Lou was part of it.
‘I called to see Penny Corday on the way to Lou’s.’
‘Why on earth did you do that?’
‘Because it didn’t seem right. The way she back-peddled. If you’d seen the state of her when she told me about the blackmail and showed me the letter, you’d understand why I went. You know me, I like to get to the bottom of things.’
‘And did you?’
‘Not really. She wouldn’t change her mind about officially reporting it. There’s something not right there.’
‘I want you to stay away from her. There’s more to her than meets the eye.’
‘You think so too? Well, there’s more. On the way home I stopped off at Washington Services. I had the most awful headache. Too much to think about.’ Beth sighed.
‘You can say that again.’
‘I saw Penny there. She was talking to the same woman I’d seen at that hotel where Lou and I stayed. Talk about a Hyacinth lookalike. It was uncanny.’
Lindsay, knowing there could be more to the situation than the supposed blackmail, regretted she could not divulge the Interpol connection to Beth. She would have loved it. ‘You have had a time of things, my girl. And now you’ve got yourself a full-on relationship with a hot babe. Forget about Penny and Hyacinth, and just enjoy Lou.’
‘Yes, Mother.’ Beth laughed, ending the call.
Lindsay was in her bloodhound mode. Hanging up the phone from Beth, she decided to ring an old flame who just might be able to throw some light on things. It had been a long time, but they had parted on good terms. She keyed in the number and waited.
‘Hello, Constance, this is Lindsay . . . yes, ages . . . Me? I’m fine, thanks for asking. And yourself?’ Lindsay wanted the small talk over so that she could get to the point. Splashing more single malt into the tumbler, and then adding ice from the bucket, she listened to Constance bringing her up to date with her personal and work life.
’Have you come across a Beth McConnell?’
‘The surgeon? Why do you ask? Is she in some sort of trouble?’
Lindsay was surprised Constance knew Beth’s name. ‘No, no trouble. And I don’t want her to get into any. She’s an old friend. Listen. What do you think about this?’
Lindsay explained, in detail, everything she could about Penny Corday, Lou, and Hyacinth. It was dark when Lindsay finally hung up, but she was satisfied that Lou, at least, was genuine. Thank God she had no worries on that front.
* * * * * * * *
Lying back on the bed ready for sleep, Lou clutched Beth’s pillow, wanting the smell of her perfume. She discovered the envelope tucked underneath and inside it a note from Beth, with a cheque for the car. Lou was touched, but she tore the cheque into tiny pieces.
* * * * * * * *
Work commitments stopped any chance of Beth and Lou spending time together for the next few weeks. While Lou was filming a period drama in Cornwall, Beth almost lived at the hospital; they were exceptionally busy. When she did manage to find some time she visited her family.
Bruno, the family Labrador, was overjoyed to see Beth. While she and her sister Catherine sat gossiping in the garden, he repeatedly brought sticks for Beth to throw. There was a chill in the air, but the sheltered walled garden afforded them the full benefit of the late autumn sunshine. Isabel, her mother, fussed over her daughters, bringing them hot drinks. ‘Beth, darling you look as radiant as Catherine has since the baby was born. Are you in love?’
Beth chuckled stiffly. ‘I’m not ready to talk about it yet. Maybe soon.’
After an early supper Beth and Catherine settled by the fire in the drawing room. Isabel went to play bridge with some friends.
‘Who is it then?’ Catherine had her back to Beth as she poured two drinks; gin and tonic for Beth, tonic for herself.
‘Who is what?’ Beth asked airily, she reached forward to take the drink.
‘You know. I’ve never seen you looking like this before.’
‘Like what?’ Beth grinned.
‘You know.’ Catherine insisted. ‘Glowing . . . happy . . . Was Mum right? Are you in love?’
Beth couldn’t bring herself to say the words, deliberately evading direct answers.
Catherine persisted. ‘Are you hiding something?’
Beth didn’t answer. Bruno snored on the rug in front of the fire as a log shifted sending a fountain of sparks up the chimney, briefly illuminating the room. Beth stood up and walked over to the fire to check no sparks had jumped out. Satisfied Bruno’s brown coat was not singed she turned to look at Catherine and tried to analyse how she would take the news.
Beth’s heart pounded as she contemplated whether to tell
Catherine, or not. Then she heard herself saying, ‘Yes, sis, there is someone, but it’s rather delicate.’
‘He’s not married, is he?’
‘No. No, for goodness sake it’s nothing like that.’ Beth’s words were slow.
Catherine sat forward to reach out for her sister ’s hands. ‘We’ve never had any secrets, you and I. We’ve always been able to talk. What is so awful that you can’t tell me?’
‘It’s not awful, sis . . . just different.’
‘Different? How different? What do you mean? Is he a lot older than you, or younger even? Is he a medical student?’
‘None of those actually.’ Beth finished her drink and went to pour herself another. She lifted the bottle of gin to Catherine, who nodded and passed her her empty glass.
It’s now or never. And she had nothing to be ashamed of, so why should she hide who she was from her family, the people who loved her most. Splashing generous measures of gin and tonic into both of their glasses she passed Catherine’s drink back to her, and then returned to stand by the fire.
Leaning on the mantelpiece, she blurted out, ‘It’s a woman.’
‘What’s a woman?’
‘For God’s sake use your imagination, Cath!’
‘What? Oh my god, Beth!’ Catherine catapulted out of the armchair and stood in front of her. Eyes wide she took Beth by the
arms as if to shake her.
‘A woman? You’re in love with a woman? You’re going to bed — having sex with a woman?’
‘Yes.’ Beth’s answer was calm, quiet and dignified.
‘Well I never!’ Catherine flopped back into her chair. ‘What made you do that? How did it happen? Who is it? Not Lindsay! We all know about Lindsay. But you? Here,’ she leaned forward and pushed her glass into Beth’s hand, ‘put some more gin in this. Make it a strong one.’
‘I know I’ve given you a shock.’ Beth topped up the drinks.
‘Actually sis, would you believe you haven’t? I sort of always knew, but now you’ve said it, well, it makes it real.’
‘It’s real all right.’ She handed the full glass to her sister.
‘Right. I want to know all about her. Everything . . . how you met, the whole thing. So you’d better get yourself comfortable, Elizabeth, and start talking.’
They settled either side of the fire again. Beth smiled as she said, ‘Cath, can you remember those holiday programmes we watched that were presented by Lou Scott?’
‘This is no time to talk about holidays, Beth.’
‘It’s Lou Scott.’
Catherine spluttered her gin.
Beth tossed her a box of tissues. ‘We met on a train,’ Beth chuckled, ‘a bit like “Brief Encounter,” she paused, remembering. ‘I was going down to London...’
Chapter 30
The run up to Christmas was manic. Beth didn’t have time to spit let alone plan moving her life down to Yorkshire. Maybe that was a good thing as Lou got a last minute call to do some filming in the Canary Islands, which meant she would be away over Christmas and possibly New Year.
Beth coasted along living for the next time they could speak to one another. She refused to think about their being separated over Christmas. She volunteered to work, reasoning she may as well be kept busy at the hospital than be miserable at home, alone.
She could not understand why Hyacinth was still dancing around in her head. It was absurd that she felt a need to see her, to know what she was doing, where she was going, and several times almost picked up the phone to call her. She felt a terrific pull towards her, and had difficulty ignoring it.
Christmas Eve morning brought the first cover of winter snow, causing mayhem on the roads and resulting in a spate of bad accidents. Beth spent most of the day in theatre patching people up.
At midnight she sat with Val, reluctant to go home although she could have left hours ago. Eventually she put on her outdoor coat and told Val to call her if she was needed then headed out into the freezing cold night.
Wrapped up in her heavy duffle coat, holding the hood tight under her chin, fighting against the biting cold north wind that was doing its utmost to blow her off her feet, Beth struggled home in the darkness. Head down she was unable to appreciate the myriad of colours bouncing across the snow from the Christmas lights, all she could think was how blissful it would be to be soaking up the sunshine in the Canaries with Lou, instead of sliding around on the ice like a novice skater trying to stay upright.
Relieved to be home without falling down, she turned the key in the lock letting herself into the dark hallway. Wishing with all her heart that Lou would be waiting for her, she had failed to see the bathroom light was burning.
She headed for the kitchen intending to make a hot drink before going to bed, but froze when she heard footsteps coming along the hall. Certain she had burglars Beth nearly fainted when Lindsay burst through the door.
‘Hello you. Where the hell have you been? Do they keep you chained to the hospital?’ ‘Lindsay! What are you doing here? What’s wrong? Is it Lou? The family?’ Beth paled.
‘Oh no, lovely, nothing like that.’ Lindsay hugged her. ‘I got some unexpected leave and decided to come and keep you company. Come on, I’ve got you a present. It’s Christmas morning. Let’s sit by the tree.’
Lindsay had switched on the tree lights in the sitting room, lit a cinnamon scented candle and turned the heating up a notch. She had also put two glasses and a bottle of her favourite malt on the coffee table. Beth thanked her lucky stars that she wasn’t opening her Christmas presents on her own. She looked at the presents set around the tree and faltered, everything looked cosy.
Lindsay walked over to stand beside the tree. She couldn’t tell Beth the truth, that she was really on police business, and that Hyacinth was part of a new special investigation she had just been assigned to. ‘Come on, get yourself over here and let’s see what Santa’s brought us.’ Bending to pick up a slim gold envelope she handed it to Beth, ‘Here, open Lou’s present first.’
Gift vouchers thought Beth, tearing the seal. Looking at the contents, she gasped.
‘What is it?’ Lindsay said.
‘You’ll not believe this.’
‘I won’t if you don’t bloody tell me.’
‘It’s a ticket.’
‘Well I never!’
‘An air ticket, I mean it’s a plane ticket, first class to Tenerife for the day after Boxing Day. The start of my days off.’
‘You lucky thing.’
‘Aren’t I just?’ Beth smiled smugly holding the ticket to her heart. ‘Darling, do I detect a hint of jealousy here?’ She waved the ticket at Lindsay.
‘I guess you do, but only because I’m sick of being single.’
Beth took hold of her friend’s hand, ‘You are so good, Linz. You will find someone and when the right woman comes along, believe me she’ll knock you sideways.’
Lindsay didn’t answer.
Beth pushed her playfully, ‘Honestly, I’ve never heard you complaining about too many one night stands.’
Lindsay grinned. ‘I didn’t say I wasn’t getting any sex.’
‘Enough, enough. Too much information,’ Beth laughed and reached under the tree for Lindsay’s present. ‘Happy Christmas. There are some more gifts here for you from the family, but open mine first.’
Lindsay loved the dual-purpose watch. ‘Thanks, Beth. It’s perfect. The stopwatch will be ideal for when I go running.’
‘Glad you like it. And thanks for the Chanel, I think it’s one of the biggest bottles I’ve ever seen.’
After the family’s presents were opened there was one gift remaining. It was from Hyacinth.
‘Are you going to open this?’ Lindsay said.
‘Suppose so. Pass it over then.’
Beth looked at the beautifully wrapped oblong box. ‘I don’t know why she’s sent me this — it arrived by courier. I haven’t seen her.’ With that she ripped off the paper, opened a purple velvet box and a platinum pentacle studded with diamonds sparkled in her hands. ‘Wow! This is beautiful. But what is Lou going to think?’
‘Oh no . . . not diamonds.’ Lindsay did a double take.
‘What?’
‘Nothing. Let’s have a look.’ Lindsay studied the piece of jewellery, ‘Yes, it is very nice and must have cost her a bomb.’
‘H has a friend who makes stuff like this. I expect she made it.’
‘She does? Who’s that then? Where does she live?’
‘Mmmm, I can’t remember her name, it’ll probably come back to me later. She lives in the Lake District somewhere near Ambleside. H was going to take me to meet her, and then Lou happened.’
Beth sighed, looking suddenly shattered. ‘Don’t know about you, inspector, but I’m whacked. I need my bed. I’ll be back on duty before I know it. What are you planning to do with yourself? You’d better go and see the family while you’re here or you’ll never hear the end of it.’
‘Yes, of course I will. Actually, I’ve arranged to meet up with an old flame.’
* * * * * * * *
Christmas and Boxing Day at St. Gregory’s passed quietly, allowing Beth time to fit in a quick visit to her family before flying out to Tenerife. Lindsay had not made her promised visit to see them, so was obviously rekindling her old flame.
Chapter 31
In Newcastle the sound of
Christmas revellers drifted up to the penthouse from the busy quayside below.
Lindsay studied the décor of the large and modern lounge area. The tasteful Christmas decorations and bank of festive red candles appealed to her. We could have lived here quite happily. Perhaps she should have worked harder to keep them together instead of being so blasé. Looking worried she leant forward in her chair. ‘How safe are you?’ She was trying hard not to show her concern.
‘How safe? I don’t really know. But you could say I’m at her beck-and-call, and that’s just what she likes. To be honest, I wish this job was over.’
‘Have you met the jewellery maker?’
‘Yes, yes I have. And she’s just that, a jewellery maker. She’s not involved. She’s rather sweet. I might go and see her when all this is finished. Has Beth any idea about the smuggling?’
‘No, not a clue. Luckily she’s off to Tenerife tomorrow so if anything happens at least she’s safe with Lou.’
‘H is running scared. The Syndicate is putting her under serious pressure. I am the only person she trusts enough to tell what is happening. Not Penny. Now, that is weird. But I’m sure that Penny’s up to something behind H’s back. Don’t know what though, but that exchange you told me Beth witnessed at the Washington Service Station must have been diamonds. Penny’s a devious bitch, and jealous as hell of anyone who takes H’s attention away from her. And guess what . . . I’ve heard that Bertie has sold their Rembrandt.’ Constance raised her eyebrows.
‘Why the hell would he do that? They’re loaded.’
‘Are they? I think they are financially embarrassed. Why else would you sell off family heirlooms?’
‘You’ve got a point there.’
‘Well, that blackmail fiasco is just that, a fucking fiasco. I wonder who thought of that?’
‘Good question. I don’t think H is behind it, it’s not her style. If she was, she would have told me about it. I think it’s one of Penny’s dimwit ideas that back fired on her.’ Constance slapped her hand against her thigh smugly. ‘She didn’t reckon on you, just as H didn’t reckon on Beth meeting Lou.’ Constance kicked off her shoes and tucked her bare feet under her while pulling her dark green skirt over her knees.