Tea and Broken Biscuits

by Daphne Neville

  “No, because Marlene had already bought them.”

  “Sadly, yes she had.” Alina frowned. “They didn’t always squeak, you know. They were fine when I bought them and it wasn’t until I brought them down to Cornwall they started to squeak. Silly shoes. Perhaps they didn’t like the sea air.”

  “Okay. Let’s go back to the beginning and the assault on Gideon Elms. I mean, I think I’d be very naïve if I still believed as was the case up until this afternoon, that the person who we now know to be you was looking for the silver chalice, wouldn’t I?”

  Alina didn’t answer.

  “You were looking for the items stolen from Pentrillick House a few years back, weren’t you?”

  Still Alina did not answer.

  “You’ll achieve nothing by keeping quiet, Ms Delamere other than to prolong the questioning.”

  Alina hung her head. “I’ve confessed to the assaults but have stolen nothing other than the candlesticks which I didn’t want and you’ve got them back anyway.”

  “I’m not saying that you have. What I’m saying is that I believe you were trying to retrieve stolen goods which we now know were hidden in the church.”

  “I didn’t know they had been found until this evening. It was a great shock.”

  “Yes, I should imagine it was.”

  Alina sighed. “I’m in a lot of trouble, aren’t I?”

  “I won’t lie and say otherwise.”

  “And pride is one of the seven deadly sins.” She hung her head.

  “Pride?” Detective Inspector Fox was confused.

  “Yes, you see it wasn’t my intention to keep the Liddicott-Treens’ things. I thought if I found them I’d leave them in situ and then pretend I’d dreamed where they were. I would tell Brett who would tell someone, probably the police or even the cute little vicar and then they’d be found. I’d be a hero. I might even receive a reward. I’d have made a name for myself.”

  “I see but how did you know the valuables were hidden in the church?”

  Alina put her head to one side and looked at the floor.

  “You’ve nothing to lose by naming the persons who broke into Pentrillick House,” said the detective inspector, “That’s assuming you know who they are.”

  Alina nodded. “Yes, I know. I know only too well.” She took in a deep breath. “About five years ago life was tough. My acting career was going nowhere and I had a job to make ends meet. I lived in a grotty bedsit with three other girls and then I met Wade. Wade was handsome, carefree and seemed to have plenty of money. We hit it off and after a couple of months I moved in with him and everything seemed fine but then one day it occurred to me that he didn’t seem to work, yet he spent money like water. I asked him how come he had money to burn but he wouldn’t tell me. Then one day the coppers came round and arrested him for armed robbery. I was gutted. It turned out that he and some mates had robbed a jewellers the week before and when they made their escape the mask that one of them was wearing got caught on a hook and was pulled off. CCTV picked it up, his face was circulated and identified. He was arrested and, soon after, they came looking for Wade. They were all found guilty and received hefty prison sentences. They’re still inside now. Silly sods.”

  “Very interesting but what does this have to do with the Pentrillick House robbery?”

  “It has a lot to do with Pentrillick House because that was one of their jobs too. After they’d nicked the stuff they hid it in the church because there was a large police presence in the village that night. They intended to collect it the next day but then discovered there was a wedding on and they couldn’t risk going in on Sunday because of the services. In the end they decided to leave it and come back a month or so later when the fuss had died down. Of course back then the church was left unlocked during the day for visitors to look round but since Gideon’s attack it’s been kept locked when not in use.” She laughed in a self-mocking manner, “I rather shot myself in the foot there because it’s meant I’ve had limited access to the building in order to search for the hidden hoard.”

  “I see, so Wade and his cohorts never got the chance to go back to Pentrillick because shortly after that they were arrested for the robbery at the jewellers?”

  “Yes and they went to prison for that and several other crimes as well including bank robbery.”

  “Professionals then.”

  “Yes, I suppose you could call them that.”

  “So where were you when they burgled Pentrillick House? I assume you and Wade were an item then.”

  “Yes, we were but I didn’t know he came to Cornwall. I was filming at the time, you see. Nothing special just a television commercial. To save travelling back and forth I stayed away for two or three nights with friends so I didn’t even know that he’d been away as well.”

  “I see, so I take it then that after they went inside they asked you to retrieve the Liddicott-Treen’s valuables knowing they couldn’t do it themselves?”

  Alina shook her head. “No, no, it wasn’t like that at all. Wade told me about the robbery when I visited him one day and he said the stuff they’d nicked was hidden in a church in Cornwall in a village called Pentrillick. He wouldn’t tell me whereabouts in the church but said when he got out he’d be a wealthy man and we’d have a good life together. Two years later I met Brett and so told Wade I wouldn’t be seeing him anymore. I thought no more about the stolen goods until earlier this year when suddenly, out of the blue, Brett told me he’d bought a cottage in Cornwall. He said it would be our place in the country to escape to. When I realised it was Pentrillick I thought fate had stepped in and I vowed I’d try and find the valuables for the reasons I stated earlier. I can’t believe it was under the altar. I wouldn’t have looked there in a hundred years.”

  “Yes, a strange and cunning hiding place and I must admit I’m surprised someone like your Wade knew about the old stone altar.”

  “I told you, he’s not my Wade, not any more but I think he might have known about it though because his dad was a clergyman so as a kid he was familiar with churches and stuff like that.”

  “His father was a clergyman.” Detective Inspector Fox was amazed.

  “Yes, but he died when Wade was a teenager. He was thirteen. A couple of years later his mother remarried. Poor Wade didn’t like his stepfather and to make matters worse his stepfather didn’t like him.”

  “And did he tell you about his father while in prison?”

  “No, I already knew that bit. What I didn’t know then was that it caused him to go off the rails.”

  Detective Inspector Fox glanced at the clock. “One more thing and then we’ll wind this interview up. Where did you get the gun from?”

  Alina sighed. “Again, it was Wade. Well, no, that’s not quite true. He didn’t actually give it to me, I found it after he was arrested amongst his stuff and I didn’t know what to do with it. So when I went to visit him I mentioned it and he said, keep it, Angel, you never know when you might need it.” Alina twisted the necklace she wore around her finger, “How I wish I could turn back the clock. With hindsight I realise I should have informed the police where the Liddicott-Treen’s possessions were when Wade told me but I suppose if the truth be known I didn’t want him to get into more trouble than he was already in.”

  “But had you done so you would not be sitting here opposite me now.”

  A tear trickled down Alina’s cheek. “No, I’d be home with Brett looking forward to the opening night of his play.”

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Murder at Mulberry Hall ran for three nights each time to a full house and on Saturday evening as the Pentrillick Players prepared for their final performance, Brett, who looked tired and pale brought a man and a woman into the dressing rooms.

  “Everyone, I’d like you to meet my young brother, Alfie and his fiancée, Claire. They’ve come down to see the play and to give me a bit of moral support.”

  Alfie squeezed Brett’s arm with affection. “Hi every
one. If you’re half as good as Brett says you are, then we’re in for a treat tonight.”

  Marlene stepped forward and shook hands with the young couple. “Delighted to meet you,” she gushed.

  Everyone else then did likewise except Hetty and Lottie who held back.

  “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Lottie whispered.

  Hetty nodded. “Yes, that’s the bloke we saw on TV watching the marathon in the Mall who we thought was Brett. They’re like two peas in a pod.”

  “Yes, and his fiancée is the girl who was with him.”

  “We made a bit of a bloomer there then.”

  “Yes, we’re quite good at bloomers.”

  After Brett, Alfie and Claire left, the cast continued with their preparations and as with the other performances, Hetty had the sprig of white heather safely tucked inside the pocket of her apron.

  “Ten minutes to go,” called Robert when he came back stage to make sure all was well, “and there’s a real party atmosphere out there tonight.”

  As he left, Ginny who was prompter approached Hetty and Lottie and smiled. “I see your girls have a new friend. I think that’s really sweet.”

  The sisters were nonplussed.

  “Who’s that then?” Lottie asked.

  “Lucky Lucy Lacey,” smiled Ginny, “they’re out there in the audience together and Lucy is sitting between Kate and Vicki. It looks like they’re enjoying a good natter.”

  “That’s right,” said Maisie, “and Lucy’s wearing the dress she bought recently. It’s lovely to see the old girl so happy.”

  “Hey, less of the old,” tutted Daisy, “she’s only a few years older than us.”

  “So how come your twins know Lucy?” Tess asked.

  “They went to her cottage to buy lucky heather during the Easter holiday,” said Lottie, “but I don’t think they’ve seen her since.”

  Emma chuckled as she placed her housemaid’s cap over her dark hair. “Actually Zac told me they’re friends on Facebook and have been since Easter so they’ve been in touch quite a lot since then.”

  “Lucy has the internet!” Lottie was flabbergasted.

  “Yes, she had it installed after her mother died so that she didn’t feel quite so isolated,” stated Ginny, “I remember her telling me about it in the post office a few years back.”

  After the final performance the entire production team went to the Crown and Anchor for celebration drinks and a buffet which Tristan Liddicott-Treen who, together with his family had been in the audience, insisted on paying for.

  “Champagne,” gasped Tess, when Alison the landlady produced bottles from the chiller.

  “I think you all deserve it,” remarked Tristan, “I don’t think I’ve laughed so much for ages.”

  “Nor me,” agreed his wife, Samantha, “you all get better every year.”

  Outside on the sun terrace, Hetty and Lottie sat with Kitty. “I can’t believe it’s all over,” Hetty sighed. She looked downcast. “I don’t think I’ve had so much fun for many a year. Everything will feel very flat tomorrow, especially when the children have gone home.”

  “And not only is the play finished but the all mysteries have been solved too so we’ll have nothing at all to focus on now.” Lottie also looked sorrowful.

  Hetty suddenly laughed. “Hmm, but it’s probably just as well that the mysteries have been solved because we were about as much use as a chocolate teapot. Talk about barking up the wrong tree on all three accounts.”

  Lottie tilted her head to one side. “Not directly but we were still involved and remember it was you, Hetty, who suggested the church be painted. Were it not for that then the Liddicott-Treens’ belongings would not have been found.”

  “True, although it was your granddaughter who suggested moving the altar,” Hetty reminded her.

  “Yes, I’m very proud of her for that.”

  “Although I must admit I was surprised to hear her say she’d helped decorate the church back home.”

  “I’m not,” said Lottie, “They had a new rector in the village a few years back and he started a youth club. Kate used to go, well she probably still does, and it must have been the youth club members who helped prepare to decorate the church.”

  “Does or did Vicki go as well?” Kitty asked.

  “No, she said it wasn’t her thing,” Lottie laughed, “You can’t get Vicki to do what she doesn’t want to do.”

  Hetty smiled. “So I’ve noticed and she sometimes reminds me of a young me.”

  “I’m not going to disagree with that,” smiled Lottie as she drained her champagne glass, “and funnily enough she’s joined the St John’s Ambulance as a cadet just as you did. Sandra told me when they were here for Easter but I think you were out walking Albert at the time and I forgot to tell you.”

  Kitty wagged her finger. “And another thing, Het. You put the police onto Alina after you saw her in church but being a damn good actress she convinced them her visit was innocent.”

  “Very good point,” acknowledged Hetty.

  “Poor Brett,” sighed Lottie, “I think it was very brave of him to stay on to see the performances through but I fear Murder at Mulberry Hall will always leave a nasty taste in his mouth.”

  “Yes, he’s hidden his feelings well these last few days and I should imagine the magnitude of it all hasn’t even hit him yet.” Hetty glanced over to where Brett stood talking to his brother.

  “Do you think they were very close?” Kitty asked, “Brett and Alina that is?”

  “You never can tell,” said Hetty, “but judging by the strained look in his eyes I’d say that he was pretty fond of her.”

  As her words faded, Penelope Prendergast came out onto the terrace. “Ah there you are, ladies. Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the show. What a hoot and we’re really proud of our Sammy. And that inspector chappie had us in stitches.”

  “Yes, that’ll be Sid,” chuckled Hetty, “He’s a real character.”

  Penelope sat down on a nearby chair. “Now, before you go you must have another box of broken biscuits. We’ve loads in the car and haven’t had a chance to give any out yet because we didn’t get here until last night.”

  “Perhaps we can pick them up from the Vicarage tomorrow,” suggested Lottie, “save you going out to the car now and save us carrying them home.”

  “Yes, that would be a much better idea and you must have a box too, Kitty.”

  “Thank you, Penelope. That’ll keep Tommy happy.”

  “Jolly good. We go home tomorrow but I’ll unpack them all before we go and leave them with Sammy.”

  While Zac played pool, Emma asked Vicki and Kate who sat with Lucy, what they wanted to do when they left school.

  Zac looked up from the pool table and laughed. “That’s simple, Em. Right now they both want to be vicar’s wives and not just any old vicar.” He nodded towards Vicar Sam who was talking to Robert and Paul.

  “Actually,” said Kate, “after all the excitement of these past few days and the fact that someone predicted I’d be one,” She smiled at Lucy, “I’ve decided I’m definitely going to be a police officer.”

  “Are you really?” Vicki asked.

  “Yes, and I’m serious. I mean, had it not been for me suggesting the altar be pulled out then the valuable stuff would never have been found.”

  “But that doesn’t mean you’d be any good at solving crimes,” laughed Vicki.

  “No, but it’s a start.”

  “So, are you going to be a history teacher, Vicki?” Lucy asked, with a twinkle in her eye.

  Vicki scowled. “I hope not. Perhaps you ought to read my broken biscuit again, Lucy. I mean, it could be that a crumb broke off and changed the shape or something like that.”

  Much to the surprise of those around Lucy began to laugh and she laughed until the tears rolled down her cheeks.

  “What’s so funny?” Vicki asked, finding herself smiling due to the infectious laughter.

  “Yo
ur face, dear. You should see it,” Lucy composed herself. “I’m sorry but I’ve been having you on. I knew you strongly disliked history, you see, and that’s why I chose it as a future occupation. I’ll be truthful now and believe you will become a nurse and you’ll marry a doctor.”

  Vicki’s jaw dropped. “But…but…how did you know I’ve an interest in nursing?”

  “I just do.”

  “And the broken biscuits?” Kate asked, “Can you really read them?”

  Lucy shook her head. “No, no of course not. I can see certain things in the future but biscuits play no part.” She looked a little sheepish. “When you get the chance please tell your aunt I was pulling her leg. You see, when I was seven years old my grandmother pretended to read my fortune with the aid of a broken biscuit much to the amusement of my parents. She confessed later and I saw the funny side but that memory has stuck with me over the years. When your aunt bought a sprig of heather and then kindly offered me a cup of tea, for some reason I felt a little impish and so when she produced the biscuits I pulled my grandmother’s trick. Her face was a picture but please tell her I’m sorry.”