‘Here, there’s a mirror on the back wall. Look at the reflection of the man with the camera.’
George screwed his eyes up and his weary expression turned to one of recognition. ‘Locksmith Joe.’
Relief washed over the group. Bert took the picture from James and studied it. A beaming smile lit up his face.
‘Told yer, didn’t ’e? He told you there was a photo and there it is.’
The argument that followed between James, Bert and George went on for several minutes. George tore James off a strip for leaving him out of the loop; James retaliated, insisting he was put in a tight spot by Bert, who immediately insisted that he did the right thing and that everything came out all right in the wash. Beth, the Merryweathers and Chrichton left them to it and helped with the last of the clearing up.
George jerked his head at Bert. ‘You’re lucky you weren’t caught with him. I’d have had to lock you up, you know that, don’t you?’
‘Yeah, but you didn’t, did yer? It’s all worked out well. I can bring Joe in to the station tomorrow.’
‘Make sure you do.’ George took the photograph back from Bert and turned to go. ‘If he’s not at Lewes first thing in the morning—’
‘Blimey, I said I’d bring ’im and I will.’ Bert flashed his annoyance as George walked away. More sheepishly, he turned to James. ‘I’m sorry, Jimmy boy. I pu’ you in a spot and I don’t like myself for doin’ it.’ He held out his hand.
James took it. ‘I’d appreciate it if you didn’t jeopardise our friendship again, Bert. Not only did it put us on unfamiliar territory, but I had to keep things from George. There’s a line that you simply don’t cross and you leapt over it like a gazelle.’
Bert, cap in hand, apologised again and trudged out. He turned at the door with a hopeful gaze. ‘We on for a beer tomorrow?’
James grinned. ‘Of course.’
Beth wandered across to him and took his hand. ‘Everything resolved itself in the end.’
‘Yes, our murderer is locked up, our escaped convict will, I’m sure, be released once all the statements have been made. Calvin is making good progress and Lucy has escaped with a caution. Cory House is now on the market. Let’s hope the next residents have a better time there.’ He kissed her forehead. ‘A good job all round, I’d say.’
The barn was almost empty. It was hard to think that, an hour ago, the place had been alive with music, dancing and laughter. Now, the only people here, apart from him and Beth, were the Merryweathers who came toward them with four glasses of sherry on a small tray.
‘I-it’s all we could find,’ said Stephen. ‘I th-think a toast is in order for a-another mystery solved.’
‘You’re very kind, Stephen. Cheers.’ James checked his watch and turned to Anne. ‘I say, is it too forward of me to request a hot chocolate at the vicarage?’
No answer was required. The four of them made their way out. James closed the barn door and joined Beth. They followed Stephen and Anne to the vicarage, where Beth reminded them all that Christmas and the wedding would soon be upon them. Anne chuckled.
‘Let’s hope that one will be mystery-free.’
James allowed himself a brief chuckle. ‘Let’s hope so indeed.’
THE END
See below for Grandma Harrington’s recipes. For more information on the Lord James Harrington books, please visit: www.lordjamesharrington.com
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Grandma Harrington’s delicious recipes
Steak and Kidney Mixture (serves 4-6)
This steamed mixture can be served in a pie with puff pastry or in a steamed suet pudding or, as Grandma Harrington sometimes did; simply serve with vegetables and potatoes.
1½ lbs/680g of beef braising steak and kidney (Two thirds steak, one third kidney)
1 onion
Half a dozen mushrooms
Water
1 tbsp gravy powder
1 meat stock cube
A sprinkle of salt and pepper
4 tbsp plain flour
Cut the steak and kidney into cubes; slice the onions and mushrooms.
Put the flour, gravy powder, salt, pepper and crumbled stock cube in a bowl, tip the steak, kidney, onions and mushrooms into that bowl and stir. Ensure that everything is coated evenly with flour.
Grease a suitably-sized pudding bowl and tip the ingredients in. (Ensure the bowl can fit into a saucepan.)
Add half a cup of water to the ingredients.
Put a large saucepan on the stove and add one inch of water to the bottom.
Seal the pudding bowl tightly and lower this into the saucepan.
Bring the water to the boil and reduce to a simmer.
Simmer for 2-3 hours. (Don’t forget to top up the water in the saucepan as it evaporates quickly.)
About half an hour before you’re ready to serve, check the dish. If the gravy is too thin for your liking, now is the time to thicken it up.
Caraway Seed Cake
3oz/85g butter
3oz/85g caster sugar
3 eggs
A dash of vanilla extract
4oz/113g plain flour
½ tsp baking powder
1 tbsp milk
Cream the butter.
Add sugar and beat until feather-light.
Whisk the eggs and vanilla extract and slowly add this to the mixture. Do it gradually otherwise it will curdle. (If it begins to curdle, fold in some of the flour.)
Fold in the flour and baking powder.
Add the caraway seeds.
Add a little milk to ensure a ‘loaf’ consistency.
Grease a small loaf-tin and tip the mixture in.
Add to a pre-heated oven (gas mark 4 or 180˚ centigrade or 350˚ Fahrenheit) for 30 minutes.
Allow to cool before removing.
Lord James Harrington and the Autumn Mystery Page 21