by Barry, Jill
‘Oh, but I can. I absolutely can.’
Their lips met again.
When they’d laughed together and he’d brushed away her tears and she’d fussed about how his ankle wouldn’t like her sitting on his lap and he’d ignored her comment, Hal remembered something he kept meaning to say. ‘I hate to spoil the moment but something’s bugging me, darling. That jewellery pouch you mentioned - is there any chance you might have hidden it somewhere else? I’ve unwrapped every single picture and there’s no sign of it.’
Chapter Seventeen
She slid from his lap, her mind a whirlpool of possibilities. ‘Please, Hal, tell me you’re joking.’ She rested her hands on his shoulders, watching his face. ‘But you’re not, are you?’
He shook his head. ‘I never joke about serious matters. Before we investigate further, could you possibly have made a mistake?’
She straightened up and puffed air through her lips. ‘Anything’s possible, I suppose, with all that was going on. Yet I know I packed the jewellery in my overnight case before leaving Cornwall so it stayed with me in the car. The morning after I moved in here, I remember I unwrapped the outer covering of one of the portraits so I could tuck the pouch inside.’
‘Have you any idea which portrait that might have been?’
She thought for a moment before shaking her head. ‘I’m sorry, Hal. My mind’s a blank on that one.’
He hauled himself to his feet and somewhat shakily held out his arms. ‘Look, why not leave me to worry about it? I promise to check everything again in case I missed it the first time. I know you need to go to your appointment now.’
While he hugged her, Zillah heard his ring tone. ‘That’s your mobile. I’ll pass it to you.’
‘I don’t recognise the number,’ he said when she handed over the phone.
Zak’s excited voice burst into the room. ‘Hal, just using a mate’s phone to say I got myself a part. It’s a short tour and I start next Monday. Isn’t it great? By the way, how’re you doing?’
‘Very, very badly. I think I need a full-time carer.’ He winked at Zillah who rolled her eyes and made strange signs with her hands.
‘You kidding me?’ Zak asked. ‘Mate, I’ll have to come back to pick up some kit. I’m sorry to let Zillah down of course.’
‘Hang on,’ said Hal. He held his phone out to Zillah.
She shook her head. ‘Ask him if he can sing at a big church wedding. It’s in Bath and it’s the first Saturday in September. Lots of VIPs.’
Hal relayed the message and listened, nodding, not once removing his gaze from her face.
‘Okay, Zak, let me know if you want us to post your phone to you. I’m really pleased for you. We both are but I have to go. Zillah’s mislaid something rather valuable so forgive me if I cut this short.’ He ended the call, disallowing further comment from Zak.
‘Zillah, was that why you were ringing me earlier? To tell me about the wedding singer gig?’
‘Yes. I suppose I must have been so frazzled, I just pressed the flat’s number on speed dial. Imagine, if you’d picked up quickly, I’d have asked you to pass Zak that message and I wouldn’t have come back here. You and I mightn’t have happened.’
He cuddled her to him again. ‘Oh yes, we would. I’d have exploded otherwise. But you must get off to work now.’
‘Not until you kiss me one more time. I hate to say it, but if we don’t find that jewellery, I suppose I’ll have to contact the police.’
Hal kissed her and held her at arms’ length. ‘And the police will ask you to provide a list of people having had access to the property since you last set eyes on the stolen item.’
He didn’t need to spell it out. Zillah broke away. ‘I don’t believe I can feel such unbelievable happiness and yet be so devastated at the same time. I have to put this out of my mind until tonight. I have to go meet my client.’
‘Drive carefully. We’ll speak later and meanwhile, I’ll search again.’
She walked to the door. ‘The weird thing is, knowing I might have lost the wherewithal to keep my business afloat, just as I find something very precious.’
*
‘Oh man,’ Hal spoke out loud late afternoon while Zillah was in her bedroom, changing out of her city suit. Despite his searching, he hadn’t come across the jewellery pouch, therefore Zak’s name would have to go on that suspects’ register. He hoped his suspicions were wrong. If the singer really had been up to mischief, he would personally find him and rip the guy to pieces, damaged ankle or not.
When Zillah came into the sitting room, he’d already begun writing down names.
‘We need every single name you can think of. Everyone who’s been inside this flat since you put the jewellery in with the paintings.’
‘Surely not everyone, Hal? You wouldn’t suspect my landlady, for example?’
He shook his head. ‘No, but in practical terms, no one should be left out, not even the honourable Clarissa. And try to remember the names in order of access.’
‘I definitely don’t need to mention the removal men.’
‘As long as you’re absolutely sure you packed the jewellery in your case and removed it after the men had gone.’
‘I’m certain I didn’t hide it until the next day. But in the first few weeks here, I found a few things needed attention,’ said Zillah. ‘I didn’t meet the guy who fixed the kitchen window catch because my landlady arranged that.’
‘I’ll write down window repairman. I doubt she stood over him.’
‘Someone came to inspect a damp wall.’ Zillah was supporting Hal’s feet on her lap. ‘I was at home that time but I didn’t go round with him.’ She sighed. ‘I hate doing this. I’m not letting you put the gardener’s name down. He’s worked for Clarissa forever.’
‘Sweetheart, I have to write down his name and the damp inspector’s or it’s not worth doing this. The police will need to know.
She frowned. ‘All right: Gardener. Damp specialist. Heating Engineer and, um –’
‘What about reading the electricity meter? What happens?’
‘Each flat’s meter is in the front porch. So the meter man never comes down here.’
‘Anyone else you can think of?’
‘This is ridiculous,’ said Zillah. ‘These people are all trustworthy.’
‘Don’t think about that. Concentrate, Zillah.’
‘I suppose I have to include my landlady’s curtain lady. She’s another one who’s been around for a hundred years. Surely it’s not necessary to put her on the suspects’ list?’
Hal sighed. ‘Try to stay calm, Zillah.’
‘I am calm.’
‘So has anyone else been here? Any of the neighbours? Think very hard.’
Zillah thought. Began rubbing the toes of Hal’s good foot. ‘I’ve shied away from socialising. So the only other person I can think of if Abi.’
‘You do a great massage. Are you saying Abi’s been here without you?’
‘On one occasion only and that was when I stupidly left an important letter on the hall table. Only remembered it when I was on the London train. I had to ring Abi and ask her to go round and collect it so she could post it. Obviously I rang Clarissa and told her Abi had my permission to borrow the spare key. This is pointless, Hal!’
He took her hand. ‘You’ve almost done.’
She stared at him. ‘You surely don’t think –’
‘I don’t think anything. Zak’s name needs to be on the list and there’s still one more person, of course.’
‘Now you really are joking.’
‘I’m writing my own name before Zak’s, just in case we get as far as the police.’
Zillah bit her lip. ‘If only I’d been more careful. If only I’d put the jewellery in my office safe. You must think I have the IQ of a chick pea.’
Hal pulled her towards him and she snuggled alongside. ‘You were under stress,’ he said. ‘This kind of thing happens. Except mislaying a bunch of valuabl
e gold jewellery’s not quite the same as having a box of paperbacks vanish.’
‘I’ll check everywhere I can think of, in case I’m mistaken. Informing the police has to be the absolute last resort.’
*
In London, Zak couldn’t settle, having spoken to Hal. Now he stared at the parcel he planned to have couriered to the Mrs Robinson office. He’d chickened out when it came to having Zillah’s gold jewellery valued and when he’d got this new job, he’d contemplated driving to Bath with the object of replacing the precious package before Zillah discovered its absence. But he’d known Hal was still in residence and might suspect something.
The situation had changed now. Hal hadn’t said as much but Zak felt sure he’d meant the jewellery was what Zillah had mislaid and he hated to think of her worrying herself sick over it. Damn it! He’d been such a fool. He’d tempted fate and now suffered the backlash. He’d also learnt a lot about commitment and friendship in a short space of time. People had been kind to him. Zillah and Hal particularly – even though she was concerned about her missing package, she’d thought about him and given him the chance of another booking.
He thanked his lucky stars he’d come to his senses in time but knew how much he risked by dealing with the matter in this way. Once the package arrived, he’d be dead meat. Zillah would be able to hand the police an easy pinch even though Zak might protest he’d always had her best interests at heart. Hal would come down on him like an avalanche. Zillah had no business leaving such temptation unguarded but could he really take the coward’s way out?
Chapter Eighteen
Hal’s mobile phone rang while Zillah was trying to get her head round the awfulness of having to contact the police. She stood up when he answered the call but Hal waved to her to stay where she was after he heard Zak’s voice.
‘Hal, it’s me. Please tell Zillah to stop worrying. I have her jewellery here.’ He clenched his fist. ‘I removed it from its hiding-place without her permission.’
‘You what? Just what were you playing at?’ Hal’s voice would have sent a chill down an Eskimo’s spine. ‘Are you completely out of your mind, man?’
‘I was curious as to what was in the pouch. When I found out, I couldn’t believe anyone could leave a horde like that so unprotected. I intended to have it valued for her but I’m well aware I should be pole-axed.’
‘Too right you should. Personally, I wish I could rip your stupid head from your shoulders.’ He watched Zillah frown.
‘Have you any idea how much upset you’ve caused? Zillah and I have turned the place upside down. Remember Zillah? She’s the one who allowed you to stay in her flat. What the hell possessed you to go through her personal belongings?’
‘I can only say how sorry I am.’
‘Hold on.’ Hal turned to Zillah. ‘You’ve got the gist?’
She nodded.
‘Do you want to speak to him? Are you considering action against him?’
‘I just want my jewellery returned.’
‘And you shall have it.’ Hal resumed his conversation. ‘Listen, Zak. You better get your ass in gear and come back here to apologise. It’s up to Zillah to decide whether she needs to take any action over this. You’ve let her down badly, Zak. Let both of us down.’
‘I understand that and I can only apologise from the bottom of my heart.’
‘You’re not playing the lovable bad boy now, Zak. Damn well do the right thing and return her property. Don’t even think of sending it through the post because you need to apologise to her in person. Afterwards, you can drive on to Bristol and reconcile with your father. Or else, like they say in the movies, you’ll never work in this town again.’
The morning after his phone call, a very contrite Mr Silver arrived with Zillah’s property plus a big bouquet of roses, Hal sat down with him in private while she put the flowers in water. She never knew what was said but when Zak left, he promised to drive straight on to Bristol to visit his folks. Next day, Hal sent Zillah off to lodge the jewellery in a safe deposit, while she decided what she wanted to do with it.
Later that day, when she rang to break her good news to her parents, she suspected they were relieved, not only that she’d found someone to love, but also found someone who loved her back and respected Daniel’s memory. She kept the unfortunate affair of the jewellery to herself. Hal had growled and stormed and growled again but at last she persuaded him she’d no intention of reporting Zak or removing the singer’s link on the Mrs Robinson website.
Clarissa was crestfallen when she returned from her travels and received two months’ notice from her best tenant. But Zillah assured her landlady she’d stay in touch and would still be prepared to come round to feed the divas if no one else was available. And it was obvious Clarissa approved of Hal too. Zillah hid a smile when she introduced him and the sherry bottle made an appearance.
Chapter Nineteen
Wedding breakfasts were sprinkled like confetti over Zillah’s bookings diary for the next eighteen months, largely due, she felt, to the successful wedding reception on Brassknocker Hill. The West nuptials had gone not merely according to plan but in true Bollywood style. Beautiful saris in brilliant saffron, turquoise, scarlet and jade drifted like exotic birds among the grey morning dress and pastel silks worn by many of the guests.
The repentant Zak’s exquisite singing moved most people to tears and even the most stoic ones were left misty-eyed. Zillah’s scrumptious food resulted in a flood of inquiries.
‘However does he manage to chat up so many women at once?’ Zillah felt bewildered after Annie West’s goddaughter Chloe whispered to her how Zak had told her she was the most stunning bridesmaid he’d ever set eyes upon. Zillah suspected he’d said precisely the same thing to the three other attendants.
Abi proposed to boyfriend Joe the morning after the West nuptials. The younger couple’s wedding was planned for the autumn and even Hal didn’t frown at Zillah when she decided to give Abi a suitably low-key but stylish buffet reception. Zak had promised to come back and sing at the ceremony, even though he’d be performing in the West End by then.
*
In late autumn, Daniel’s paintings went on sale. By this time, Zillah had moved into Hal’s transformed cottage and they were both at the London gallery for the opening night. She introduced Hal to Lionel, who expressed delight both at her new happiness and at securing three Cornish harbour scenes he’d long coveted.
Hal was chatting to Lionel’s wife but keeping Zillah in view when he noticed her stiffen. She’d spotted the red Sold sticker on the frame of the oil painting of herself on the beach, her hands cradling a perfect shell. He knew she was finding difficulty in holding back her tears.
At once he excused himself and hurried to her side. ‘I knew that one would sell quickly.’ He put an arm around her shoulders and hugged her to him.
‘Oh, Hal. Darling, I’m sorry. Yes, I know it’s all for the best – all for the business, but -’
He could feel the tension fizzling in the air. People within earshot were glancing uneasily at one another. And why shouldn’t they? Several of them had known Daniel Robinson personally, so realised what a wrench this must be for his young widow. Hal produced a snowy linen handkerchief. While Zillah’s face was buried, he whispered something in her ear.
She emerged from the handkerchief, eyes wide. ‘You’ve done what?’
‘I’ve bought that picture for your wedding present. That one and, maybe two or three others.’
People were moving closer but Hal didn’t move a muscle.
‘I’m getting married?’ Zillah’s voice rang out in the sudden hush.
‘You certainly are. If you’ll have me, of course.’
‘Why not ask and see?’
Hal dropped to one knee. ‘Will you marry me, Zillah?’
‘Yes. Yes, Hal, I will.’
People were clapping. Lionel’s wife was wiping her eyes.
‘I hope Daniel would approve,’ said Hal. He
took both Zillah’s hands in his and raised them to his lips.
‘I know he would. I’m so fortunate to have this second chance of happiness. I love you, Mr Hal Christmas.’
He stood up again. ‘There’s something else I need to ask you.’
‘Try me.’ She held her breath.
‘Tell me you won’t steal my business name.’
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