Part 30 (1/2)

'It hurts whether I ... move or ... not ... so I ... may as well ... move.

' Thats my girl. Youre a bit of a veteran, arent you? Do you realise there are whole regiments whove incurred fewer injuries than you have this week?

I hobbled very painfully to the sofa where Mrs Crisp was waiting with pillows and blankets. A few minutes later, Aunt Julia was seated on the other, with a little more colour in her face, but still looking very shaken. I didnt blame her. We smiled tentatively at each other.

Mrs Crisp went off to make some tea.

Tanya announced the doctor would be here within the hour.

'Well, he knows the way. Do you think youll get family rates?

Tanya pulled off my shoes and covered me with a blanket. Slowly, the pain retreated although my ribs still felt as if my heart might burst through my chest. Russell sat beside me and held my hand. The house was very silent. I think everyone was in shock.

'Well, said Russell, looking over to her, 'I have to say Im very glad you chose to visit us today, Julia.

She sat a little straighter. 'If you mean, Russell, that it was fortunate for you that I was on hand to see for myself that it was an accident ... Her voice failed.

'Well, I have to admit, it did cross my mind.

Fortunately, Mrs Crisp appeared with tea and she gratefully accepted a cup.

'When the doctors been, Mrs Kingdom, I think we should run you home, said Andrew. 'I dont think you should drive today. If you like, we can ring Mr Kingdom and he can meet you at your house.

'Thats most kind, she said, regarding him with rare approval. 'But perhaps it would be easiest if Richard came here and picked me up.

'Of course, he said. 'Dont worry about your car. Well see to it.

Dr Williams arrived promptly. He examined me and, fortunately, seemed disinclined to take it too seriously.

'Youll have extensive bruising, he said. 'Or soft tissue trauma as we call it these days. Youll be stiff. Youll ache. Ill write a prescription for some painkillers. Take them because you will need them. I dont know, Jenny. I dont see you in fifteen years and then I never seem to be away from the place.

We all laughed. Like the last scene in s...o...b.. Doo.

'As for you, Mrs Kingdom, just take it easy for the rest of the day. And tomorrow too. Call me if you need anything.

He disappeared.

Uncle Richard was so sweet I felt my eyes fill up. He said everything that was polite and non-controversial. He thanked Russell for his care of Aunt Julia, gently patted my hand and wished me better soon, told Russell to ring if he could be of any a.s.sistance, and took an uncharacteristically quiet Aunt Julia away.

We all drew breath.

Russell took my hand again. 'What do you want, sweetheart? Do you want me to help you upstairs or do you want to stay here for a bit? Shall we leave you in peace?

'Yes, please.

They all went out. I waited, eyes closed, for five minutes after the door closed, just in case anyone felt the need to come back and check on me.

'Have they gone?

'Yes, theyre outside in the yard, looking at Boxer. No one will come in.

I sat up painfully and even more painfully, reached down for my shoes. I turned them over. The left one was perfectly normal, smooth, and dry, but the right sole was dark and glistening with some unknown substance. I sniffed. I knew that smell. Id smelt it all afternoon as Russell unpacked his stuff.

Linseed oil.

'Thomas, can you ...?

He was already at the head of the stairs. ' No. Nothing here. A slight smear but that could easily have come off your sole. Did you pick it up in the studio?

'No.

He stood beside me as I pulled a tissue from my pocket and carefully wiped every single trace of oil from the sole of my shoe.

'Were in trouble, arent we?

'Oh yes.

The next day the police turned up.

Chapter Eleven.

I was reading quietly on the sofa and Thomas was watching one of those hospital dramas where everyone is having inappropriate s.e.x with everyone else.

Mrs Crisp slipped into the room.

'Its the police, Mrs Checkland.

My heart knocked painfully against my already battered ribs and I skidded into full-blown panic.

'Where?

'Just pulling up in the yard.

Someone knocked at the back door.

I stared, paralysed with fright.

This time last week I would have thought Marilyn! Now I wondered if Aunt Julia had been making mischief.

'What if she has? said Thomas calmly. ' Falling down stairs is not an indictable offence, especially if carried out in the privacy of ones own home. Its probably only about Marilyn again.

I said to Mrs Crisp, 'Wheres Marilyn?

'In the field. Sharon will get her inside as soon as she can.

I had another horrible thought. What had Russell done with Marilyns owner? Was his body buried in the garden? Id never even asked. What sort of wife was I?