Found Guilty at Five Read Online Free Page A

for him was affecting her playing in a good way. Jamie was a real friend, kind and gentle, and helpful when help was needed.
    She sat up in bed and plumped up the pillows. Settling back, she thought about the time she had arrived in England to attend the college of music, knowing no one, and with only her father coming to see her as often as he could manage. He had tried everything to dissuade her from leaving Japan, but in the end he could see a permanent rift between them developing and had given in.
    In giving way, however, he had arranged to keep in touch with her in several ways, including visiting her on a regular basis and appointing an employee to keep an eye on her. Her mother had died when she was two, and she had been cared for, by first her grandparents, then by a wonderful nanny and a succession of housekeepers. Money had been no problem, as her father had become very wealthy. He had warned her that she might encounter ill feeling among British students, and she was aware that the two countries had been enemies during the last world war. But that was a long time ago. He had also advised her not to talk about her life in Japan. Being a rich man’s only daughter without friends could make her vulnerable to unscrupulous advances. She had soon made one or two friends at college, of course, but otherwise tried to remember her father’s advice.
    She turned over in the narrow bed, and still sleep refused to come. Jamie had been so kind today, so happy and at ease at home with his family. She remembered when she had first met him, when he came to give a recital at the college, and at the reception afterwards he had approached and offered her a drink. He said afterwards that she had looked like a small, sad child, standing alone in the corner of the room. After that, they met again a couple of times and talked about playing together. She protested that she was still a student, and he was rapidly becoming an international star. He persisted, saying playing an instrument was like a game of tennis. Don’t play with rabbits, play with people better than yourself, where there would be a challenge. He made her laugh, and she had begun to rely on him for companionship as well as music.
    Jamie was proved right. She had succeeded beyond high expectations, and done brilliantly in her examinations. Their partnership had developed, and now here she was, a guest in the Meade family house, rather too obviously regarded as Jamie’s girlfriend. Did it matter? She finally fell asleep without coming to any conclusions.
    Jamie was also still awake. Together, he and Akiko had delighted Mrs. T-J, and when he was left alone with the old lady for a few minutes, she had said to him that she liked Akiko very much and he should think about getting his feet in the stirrups. Her meaning was clear and alarming, to him at least. It was much too soon to think about that!
    His room seemed stuffy, and he got out of bed to open a window. There was no moon, but a security light at the corner of the house shone on his car. To his irritation, he saw the outline of the cello, resting on the backseat, and realised they had not brought it in with them. They had been chatting away about the evening’s success, and Akiko must have forgotten about it. He sighed. It would be safe enough. Probably safer than in the house. The car was thoroughly locked and alarmed, as always.
    He turned away from the window, but as he did so, a shadowy movement outside in the garden caught his eye. What on earth was that? He stared down, but the shadow had gone. Maybe a fox after Mum’s chickens. He yawned. They could investigate in the morning. He climbed into bed, shut his eyes and was quickly asleep.
    *   *   *
    N EXT MORNING, THE START OF THE WORKING WEEK, THE M EADES were down to breakfast early. Derek had already left by the time Jamie and Akiko appeared, and they announced that they would be away straight after breakfast.
    “We play at a concert tonight,” Akiko