Part 24 (1/2)

'Well, she was upset.

'She was upset? Ive just faced down that man and you werent there?

'Yes, the important part of that sentence was ”Ive just faced down that man” ...

'No, the important part of that sentence was, ”You werent there.” I was all prepared to wallop him with that hideous purple thing and Sharon was there with the Le Creuset and where were you? Oh, yes, in the stables with Marilyn who was in no danger at all.

'Well, she didnt know that. She was most distressed, poor thing.

'And so was I.

' No, you werent. Once you got into your stride, you were well away. Actually, Jenny, I think you might be turning into a bit of an adrenaline junkie. You might want to watch yourself.

Before my adrenaline had time to spike even further, Russell came back into the kitchen, looking very pleased with himself.

He put his arm around Sharon, saying, 'You were wonderful. Therell be a little something extra in your pay packet this week with my compliments and best wishes.

Now was the moment for Mrs Crisp to snort and say she would be lucky if there was anything in her pay packet at all, let alone a little extra, but, unaccountably, she said nothing. She was unpacking her shopping and putting things away quietly, not meeting anyones eye. I would have liked a little time to think about this, but Russell grasped my wrist and pulled me into the chilly dining room.

'What were you thinking? he demanded.

Great. Sharon gets a bonus and I get a b.o.l.l.o.c.king.

'Why didnt you just tell him to go away?

By now, reaction was setting in. And I remembered Id just had one of those twentyfour-hour bug things.

I kicked him.

'Ow! What the h.e.l.l ...

'I was frightened. I didnt know what to do. And you werent here. Which, as far as I was concerned, was the crux of the matter. 'And he shouted. And he had horrible breath. And you werent here.

He stopped dead and put his arms around me. 'Im here now.

I really should have struggled or at least put up some sort of resistance. Instead, I leaned against him and buried my face in his jacket. He smelled of after-shave, fabric conditioner, and soap.

'Its all right, he said, again. 'Im here now.

I sniffed a couple of times.

'I really should try and take better care of you, shouldnt I?

I nodded.

'Tomorrow. No, not tomorrow, I have to see someone. The day after tomorrow. Well go into town, have a nice lunch, and go to the art shop. How does that sound?

'Actually, it sounds very unlikely. On your form to date, well set off for Rushford and be attacked by a ... dragon which you will immediately bring home and well be followed by the dragons owners, the three witches who will demand a large sum of money or theyll turn us into toads and youll be in the ... pub.

He was laughing. 'Jenny, when youre wound up you really are a delight. He bent his head and kissed me very lightly, which I think surprised both of us.

He cleared his throat. 'Shall we go and have a cup of tea?

Good idea.

'Im out all day today, said Russell, finis.h.i.+ng his breakfast the next morning, and getting to his feet. 'All of you, just try and stay out of trouble while Im gone. Jenny, youve got my number, but trust me, he wont be back. Ever.

He slammed the door on his way out. Kevin, who had made his tea last as long as possible so he could look at Sharon, wrung the last few drops from his mug and disappeared too. Sharon smiled blindingly, collected the hoover, and could be heard cras.h.i.+ng about in the dining room.

'So, just you and Mrs Crisp, said Thomas, stating the obvious.

I sipped my cup of tea very carefully, but everything seemed stable. She handed me a plate of delicate toast fingers. She'd even cut the crusts off. For some reason it brought a lump to my throat.

I nodded my thanks and nibbled carefully. She finished what she was doing, folded her tea towel and said, 'I wonder if I might have a word with you, Mrs Checkland. My heart sank.

She slid an envelope across the table to me.

'My resignation.

I pushed it back again and shook my head. I didnt know what to say so I said nothing, feeling my way.

'I dont think you understand, she said, twisting her fingers together. 'You see ... I think what happened to you ... your sickness ... might be my fault.

I shook my head again, but she was determined.

'Let her say it.

'I dont know if youve noticed, but sometimes I have ... a little something in the afternoons because sometimes, when I get a little anxious, its helpful. I swear to you its never been a problem ... it just helps me get through the day ... but I wondered if ... because I was nervous about the dinner ... although I didnt think I drank so much, but of course not knowing is a sign that there is a problem, and so ... I mean, seafood and chicken, what was I thinking?

She sat at the table head bowed, her fingers working, crying quietly.

'I always said I would go when Russell married. You know, new broom and all that, except I thought it would be that red-headed She remembered suddenly that Francesca was my cousin.

Id never felt so helpless. I wanted to make some long eloquent speech that would put everything right. To do something to ease her obvious unhappiness, but there was a log-jam of words and because it was important, vital even, that I say something, nothing happened.

I took her hand, concentrated on the pattern in the tablecloth, and said, 'No.

'I dont think you understand ...

'No.

'No, really, Mrs Checkland you dont understand.

Theres more to this than meets the eye, said Thomas. 'Id just hang on a minute, if I were you.

She wiped her eyes on her tea towel, an action that would have brought instant death to anyone else and continued, 'I drink, you see.