by M A Comley
He peered over his shoulder a second time and leaned in. “Can I have a hint?”
She mimicked him and whispered, “About anything in particular?” She laughed.
“You always were a tease, even during our schooldays. It’s not too late for me to rescind my acceptance, you know.”
Lee had always been a dear friend from the minute they attended their first day at school together. There wasn’t a week that went by when she didn’t tease him in some way. She regularly did her top-up shopping here during the week. “You look on the verge of tears,” she teased him further.
“Get outta here. You’ve got ten minutes. Use it wisely, ratbag.”
“Charming. Do your bosses know you call your customers names?”
He let out an exasperated sigh. “You never fail to deliver a sharp retort. I’m surprised your mouth isn’t cut to shreds with that sharp tongue of yours.”
She squeezed his chubby cheeks. “You say the nicest things. Can you take over from her now? Time is money in my job.”
They walked back towards the checkout together. “Cut the your-job-is-better-than-mine routine.”
“I wasn’t aware that I intimated anything of the sort.” She grinned like a crazed chimp.
“Maria, I’ll take over from you. Miss Marple here would like to grill you in the staffroom over something she’s not prepared to divulge.”
Ruth’s elbow connected with his ribs, making him grunt. “Ignore him, I’d just like an informal chat about something—if you’re willing to see me, that is?”
“About what?”
Ruth’s glance flew between Lee and Maria. She sighed. “It’s a personal matter.”
It didn’t go unnoticed that the colour instantly drained from her face. “Really? About what? Oh, I think I can guess.”
Ruth stepped to the side and motioned for Maria to lead the way, away from Lee’s flapping ears. “We shouldn’t be too long. Then you can get back to stacking your shelves. And there was me thinking a store manager’s role was an important one.”
He snorted. “You’d be the first to bloomin’ complain if the shelves were empty when you popped in.”
Ruth grinned. “You’re not wrong there. We won’t be long, I promise.”
Maria raced ahead of her. Ruth had to trot to keep up with the woman who was in her late twenties and wearing higher than normal footwear for a shop worker. She got a whiff of the young woman’s fragrant perfume but couldn’t put a name to the orange-scented odour.
She followed Maria through the open doorway, past the stockroom and into a pokey kitchen area that had a small table and two chairs over to one side.
Maria plonked down in one of the chairs. “Will this take long?”
“No. I already told you that. Although it depends on what you can tell me.”
“Not a lot. I was there as a guest, along with the hundred or so other people from the town,” she replied defensively.
“Okay. First of all, can I say that you can cut the attitude? No one is accusing you of anything. This is only a general enquiry. Yes, Geraldine has employed me to find out what happened to Bradley, but it’s this I really want to talk to you about.” She flipped out her phone and showed Maria the photo she’d taken of her at the reception.
Maria gasped, and the colour that had dissipated in her cheeks a few minutes earlier came flooding back. “It’s a photo. What about it?”
“It was a wedding, and you were caught glaring at the groom.”
She held her palms up in front of her. “I can’t see the groom anywhere in the picture, can you?”
“Come on, Maria, I’m not daft. If it’s any consolation, I’ve been speaking to Eva Lord. Whilst I can’t tell you what she said, I can show you this.” She swiped through her phone and found the photo she’d taken of Eva, and then, to enforce what she was saying, went on to show her the photos of the other women she’d caught on camera, all wearing a similar expression.
“So what? Not everyone can pin a smile in place twenty-four-seven.”
“Granted. Maria, I’m not here to judge you. All I want to know is why? If you clearly despised Bradley so much, why did you go to the wedding?”
“It wasn’t him who invited me, it was Geraldine. She’s my friend, has been for years, why shouldn’t I have gone to the wedding?”
“Can you tell me why you hated Bradley? Bearing in mind that I’ve just this minute had a similar conversation with Eva.”
Her gaze dropped to the table, and she fell silent.
Ruth reached across to touch her hand. “You’re not alone, I promise you. I can help ease the pain you’re feeling. The pain you’ve felt for years by the look of things. Please, Maria, confide in me. A problem shared and all that.”
She shook her head, and a small cluster of tears dripped onto her cheeks. Ruth’s heart went out to the young woman. In that instant, she detested Bradley even more than she had when he’d been alive. She knew what these women were hiding to protect Geraldine’s feelings. All right, Bradley had never abused her in the past, but she had been on the end of his vile tongue lashings at times.
Maria sniffled and stood to collect a piece of kitchen towel off the countertop. She returned to her seat, dabbed at her eyes and blew her nose. “He was a horrible man. The only way I can describe him really was similar to a chameleon. I can’t believe that Geraldine wasn’t able to see through him. To me he was super-transparent at the best and worst of times.”
Ruth nodded. “What did he do to you, love?”
“Nothing. Not physically as such. Maybe the odd touch across the backside at a nightclub now and again. I challenged him a few times, but he was always adamant that he hadn’t done anything.” She shuddered. “The creepy thing is, and I could never prove it, I always felt it wasn’t his hands doing the touching, if you get my drift?”
Ruth’s mouth hung open for a moment or two until she said, “Another part of his anatomy? Like the thing that resides in his trousers?”
Maria shuddered again in response. “What a despicable pipsqueak he was. Did Eva say the same?”
“Something similar along those lines. I can’t go into specific details, though. Poor you. When did it start?”
“I can’t give you actual dates. What I can tell you is that he was engaged to Geraldine when he started coming on to me.”
“Coming on to you? Did he ever suggest you go out together?”
“Go out? No. He was more to the point than that. He told me on more than one occasion that he thought we could make wonderful music together. What a creep.”
Ruth shook her head in disgust and sighed heavily. “Why didn’t you tell Geraldine?”
Her gaze lifted to meet Ruth’s. “I did. Oh, it was years ago on a drunken night out together. She pooh-poohed it, so I never mentioned it again. He was all over the girls when he was let out on his own at night. He must have stunk of perfume when he got home. If she chose to ignore the clues, time and time again, she was unlikely to listen to her friends slating him, was she?”
“A case of love being blind, is that what you’re suggesting?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I meant. I wish I’d had the courage to raise the topic again. I didn’t, and that’s the end of it. She was smitten, head over heels in love with him. In her eyes, he couldn’t do a thing wrong.”
“That’s so sad. I understand where you’re coming from. Bradley and I have had a fraught relationship over the years, shall we say? Except everything was hunky dory in front of Geraldine. It’s hard trying to shield your friend. I know you spoke out, but you admitted it was on a drunken night out. Maybe you should have returned to the topic in the cold light of day.”
“Hey, you can pack that in. Don’t lay the blame at my door for this. You’re not suggesting that I killed him, are you?” she asked, her voice rising through the octaves.
“No. Not at all. But someone did.”
“Do you seriously think it could be a woman? One of those you photographed?�
�� she cried in disbelief.
“I honestly don’t know at this point. Did you see anything at the wedding? Bradley trying it on with someone else perhaps? Anything along those lines?”
Maria fell silent for a moment and then shook her head. “I can’t say I saw anything suspicious. Up until the murder happened, everyone was having a good time, despite what you caught on your camera.”
“Okay, are you telling me that Bradley was still abusing you right up to his death?”
“I wouldn’t necessarily say he was abusing me. He tried it on. I was upset, and my brother caught me crying one day, asked me what the problem was. I broke down and told him; I was so depressed by that point. He took it upon himself to have a word with Bradley. He didn’t have to do much. He backed off immediately once Sean had a word in his ear. Men are such cowards when confronted by other men, aren’t they?”
Ruth smiled. “I’m glad Sean intervened before anything too drastic happened to you. Did you speak to Bradley at the wedding? I can’t say I noticed the two of you in conversation on the day.”
“No. I kept my distance. Good job he wasn’t clingy with Geraldine on Saturday. I managed to offer my congratulations to her while he was chatting to a bunch of his mates. He really did give me the creeps after he tried it on. I can’t say I felt that way about him before that. Strange how an incident like that can do so much damage to a relationship, not that we really had one in the first place. Oh gosh, I’m talking in riddles now. You see what the damn man does to me?”
“Don’t worry about it. I get what you mean. Do you think it’s possible one of the other women had difficulties with him and perhaps told her partner and he took things into his own hands?”
“Who knows? All I know is that my brother was incensed. He’s a gentleman, though, when it comes to treating a woman right.”
“Glad to hear it. James is the same,” she added, a familiar pang of guilt touching her heart.
“Not many around nowadays. I’ve just started dating Colin Cosgrove. He seems decent enough; early days yet.”
“Try not to let the negativity of your past affect your future happiness with your new fella.”
“I’m trying hard. It’s very difficult at times. Is that all? I bet Lee’s wondering where I am.” She wiped her eyes on another sheet of kitchen towel. “Do I still look like a panda?”
“Nope, you’re as beautiful as the day you were born. Not that I know that, of course, figuratively speaking.”
“You are funny. I feel bad not being able to help you. I hope you’re able to give Geraldine the answers she’s searching for. I know it’s a terrible thing to say, but in my heart I’m glad she won’t be tied to him for the rest of her life. She was far too good for him. He had some kind of spell over her that none of us were privy to, that’s all I can say.”
Ruth left her seat and followed Maria out of the staffroom and back into the shop. “I think you’re right there, Maria. Thank you again for being so honest with me. I’m sorry you experienced the worst that man could offer.”
“We all have our crosses to bear in this life. I think I’ll be a lot happier knowing he’s not around to hinder what lies ahead of me.”
“Thank you, Mrs Knowles. See you next week.” Lee had finished serving one of the local pensioners and was holding the door open for her when they arrived. He’d obviously had an ear trained on their conversation, because as soon as the door shut behind Mrs Knowles, he asked, “Who’s not around any more?”
Ruth shook her head and winked at Maria who had slipped into her position behind the counter. “Nice try, Lee. Thanks for standing in while Maria and I had a very informative chat,” she teased, whisking past him and leaving the shop.
She suppressed the giggle dying to escape and rushed back to her car. Ben welcomed her with a lick to the ear. She stopped off again at the park so he could stretch his legs. “I’ve never known a dog get as many trips to the park as you, boy. I hope you’re grateful.”
Ben barked as if understanding what she’d said and bounded after a squirrel he spotted out of the corner of his eye. Ruth laughed; however, as she reflected on the conversations she’d had with the two women that afternoon, her blood boiled. She couldn’t help wondering why Geraldine had chosen to ignore what Maria had tried to tell her about Bradley. Was it really because she was head over heels in love with the man? Or something else? Geraldine had always been a little insecure in her eyes. Boyfriends had come and gone in the past, a few dates with one guy before she’d moved on to the next. Bradley had been her only lasting relationship, why? Was she in fear of being left on the shelf? Don’t be so ridiculous. Of course it wasn’t because of that, or was it?
After Ben had run around for fifteen minutes, excitedly greeting several other dogs he often met, Ruth slipped his leash on and jumped back in the car.
Instead of returning to the office, knowing that the business line had been diverted to her mobile and no calls had come through, she decided to head home for the day.
Feeling guilty for the way she’d treated James over the last day or so, she decided he and the boys deserved a treat and removed four steaks from the freezer along with a bag of chips. Then she peeled some mushrooms and onions and cut a few tomatoes in half.
Thirty minutes later, Carolyn walked through the back door. Ruth gathered her sister in her arms and guided her to a chair at the table, forcing her to sit. “You look dead on your feet. How’s Keith?”
“I am. I slept in the chair beside his bed all night in case he woke up. I needn’t have bothered, he slept right through, unlike me. Crikey, hospitals can be so noisy during the night. I guess I’d forgotten all about that from my spells in hospital when having the kids.”
“Bless you. I’ll put the water on. You can have a nice soak in the bath. Damn, we’re having steak tonight, and I’ve only got four. That’s no problem, though, I’ll cut an inch or so off each one when they’re cooked. We’ll get by.”
Carolyn laughed. “You’re so practical. I would’ve freaked out if I were in your shoes. Oh, and Keith is grumpy as hell, by the way. That’s why I came home early. Couldn’t stand him moaning about what else he should be doing at the house rather than spending enforced time in a hospital bed. Men! They’re hopeless, aren’t they?”
“Most of the time, yes. Look on the bright side—it doesn’t sound like he’ll be in hospital that long.”
Carolyn rolled her eyes. “I think that’s when our real problems will start, when he comes home, except we haven’t really got a home for him to come home to.” Her head dropped into her hands, and she sobbed.
Her sons chose that moment to walk through the back door. “Mum, Mum, what is it? Dad’s okay, isn’t he? He’s not…”
Carolyn uncovered her face and smiled at her sons. “He’s fine. Mummy is exhausted and feeling a tad overwhelmed by everything, boys, don’t worry. How was school?”
“The pits,” Ian said, pressing himself against his mum. “Can we visit Dad tonight?”
“Maybe tomorrow. Your mum has only just come home from the hospital. Go and wash up, boys, dinner won’t be long,” Ruth intervened, knowing what Carolyn was like and how easily she gave in to her sons when they wanted something.
Ian and Robin picked up the bags they’d dropped when the concern had consumed them for their mother and left the room.
“I feel so sorry for them. The disruption these damn renovations must be having on their schoolwork. We’re selfish, aren’t we? We have to be to put them through all this turmoil and angst. It’s not their fault they’re without a proper roof over their heads, it’s ours.”
“Hey, they’ve never complained to me. You’re being too hard on yourself, as usual. Come on, help me prepare the rest of the dinner, it’ll take your mind off things.”
Carolyn left the table and went straight to the drawer to collect the cutlery. “I’ll lay the table. Looks like you have everything else in hand. Oh, Ian doesn’t like tomatoes by the way.”
“Thanks for telling me that, more for us.”
As soon as James came home, Ruth began cooking the meal. The smell of rump steak drifted through the house, acting like a bullhorn for the boys, calling them downstairs and into the kitchen.
Sitting at the table with a feast in front of them, Carolyn nudged both boys. “You don’t get treated this well at home, boys, do you?”
The boys shook their heads and then ripped into their steak.
“You’ll soon be home and back to normal in a few months,” Ruth said, feeling slightly smug that she’d successfully managed to supply enough dinner for all of them in spite of her sister’s unexpected arrival.
Carolyn insisted on clearing away the plates and washing up while Ruth divided the lemon cheesecake and served it with ice cream. The boys went crazy over their dessert. They both finished it in record time and asked to be excused so they could go back upstairs to complete their homework.
The adults took their coffee through to the lounge.
Carolyn sighed when she sank into the couch. “This feels good on my bones.”
“Don’t get too comfortable, you should go and have a soak in the bath soon.”
“Thanks, I definitely need that. I’ll just finish my coffee first. Hey, how’s the case going?”
Ruth shrugged. “It’s going. Let’s say that more and more pieces of the puzzle slotted into place today.”
“Care to enlighten us as to what that cryptic comment is about?” James asked, leaning forward to peer around Carolyn.
“I can’t say at the moment. If all of this comes out, I think we’re going to have dozens of people with a motive we can put on our list of suspects.”
“Sounds intriguing and scary at the same time. Right, I’m going up for a bath. Thanks for taking care of us so well, Ruth. I promise we won’t outstay our welcome.” Carolyn bent over and kissed Ruth on the cheek then left the room.
Once the door was closed behind her, James swapped seats to sit next to Ruth. “Come on, spill. What have you managed to find out?”
“I’ll tell you on one proviso.”
“What’s that?”