Tragedy at Two
Page 25
“So he did,” Lois said. “Now, if there’s nothing more, Mrs. Smith, we’re all tired and it’s a busy day tomorrow. I’m sure if you go home now you’ll be all right. It’s surprising how sleep comes, just when you’re sure it never will.”
She took Edwina’s arm and escorted her out of the room. “Good night,” she said, and started to shut the door. Was that a car drawing up outside their house? “Oh, God, who now?” she said, and waited. A tall figure came up the drive, tipping his hat to Edwina on her way out.
“Sorry to bother you, Lois,” Cowgill said. “Could you possibly spare me a few minutes? One or two important questions I need to ask. I really am sorry.” He waited, and Lois looked at him. His face was so familiar, and, after all this time, somehow endearing. She remembered what a stiff and starchy cop he had been when she fir st knew him, disapproving and cold. He’d changed quite a lot. And he loved her. She knew that, and could not deny that it pleased her. But he was such a right-thinking old thing. She had never felt threatened. Derek was another matter. He was deeply suspicious, but knew his Lois too well to play the heavy-h anded, irate husband.
“Well?” Cowgill said, wondering why she didn’t answer. “Can I come in? Was that Edwina Smith I passed in the drive?”
It was Edwina Smith, Lois acknowledged. Edwina’s world had fallen apart, and all as a direct result of a stupid affair with a childhood sweetheart. But who was she to say it was stupid? Frailty, thy name is woman, Derek had said. And so it is, she said to herself.
“I’ll just ask Derek,” she said. “I’m sure it will be all right. Even Gran won’t chuck out a policeman.” She grinned, put out her hand and he took it, kissed it lightly, and followed her into the house.
POSTSCRIPT
NEARLY A YEAR LATER, A NEWSPAPER CUTTING ARRIVED IN the post addressed to Lois, with a handwritten message scrawled across the top.
Me and Athalia are in York now. Show this to Josie. Nice knowing you. George Price.
Man Finally Sentenced for Death of Horse at Appleby
At last year’s 300-year-old Appleby horse fair, crowds of gypsies and tourists witnessed a horrific drowning of a horse, which subsequently intensified opposition to the fair from many quarters.
After extensive searches and delays, a man aged twenty-two was found and sentenced to twenty-eight days in jail. He was banned from keeping all animals for five years. The judge said he had shown irresponsible recklessness, when, after purchasing a piebald horse, he had taken it into deep water in the River Eden, where it drowned. It was said in his defence that he had not intended to be cruel to the horse, but that the halter had not been fix ed correctly.
RSPCA and police officers had witnessed the event, and said later that they were grateful to George Price, spokesman for the travelling community, who gave them valuable co-operation in official investigations.