Secrets on Saturday Read Online Free Page A

back of his head she recognized. Thinning hair, something one-sided about his shoulders. Yes, that wasReg Abthorpe. So why was he in Farnden, a long way from Suffolk? Had he been to Blackberry Close? And if so, what for? He had said he wouldn’t need to be back, but would leave everything to Lois.
    “That man,” Lois said, as she met Gran coming down the pavement on her way to the shop, “that Reg Abthorpe … has he called on us?”
    Gran shook her head. “There’s been no callers this morning,” she said. She looked curiously at her daughter. “You all right, Lois? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”
    “I’m fine,” Lois replied. Before Gran could ask more questions, she said she had a couple of phone calls to make, and continued on her way. She was absolutely certain it had been Abthorpe, and decided she would start work on Herbert Everitt’s house tomorrow.
    T HERE WAS A MESSAGE ON L OIS ’ S ANSWER PHONE . A man’s voice, asking her to call a familiar number. Chief Inspector Hunter Cowgill. What did he want? There was only one way to find out, but Lois was well aware of Derek’s mild objection to her ever working for that cop again. She hesitated. It wouldn’t necessarily mean another job for her. He might have some small enquiry, a point to clear up from last time. She dialled the number.
    “Lois? Thanks for ringing back.”
    “Well, what d’you want?”
    “And very nice to hear from you, too,” said Cowgill good humouredly.
    “Well, get on with it. I’ve got work to do.”
    She hasn’t mellowed, thought Cowgill fondly. “I just wondered if you’ve noticed anything amiss in the village lately,” he continued. “Any strangers moving in, or residents moving out unexpectedly … that sort of thing?”
    Lois frowned. She knew how Cowgill felt about her. After all this time, she would have had to be blind and deaf not to notice. And, although she would never admit it, even to herself, she quite liked the old fool. He never gave up, and on many occasions had turned out to be avery good policeman indeed. But she never gave him any encouragement, remembering how Derek had once decided the pair of them were having an affair, and her marriage had teetered unsteadily for a while.
    “Of course people have moved in and out of the village,” she said. “That’s what people do.”
    “Yes, Lois, but don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean. Has anything about the usual course of things seemed to you slightly askew? What about the new people in Homton House? Or rumours of lonely old people being taken advantage of?”
    “Ah,” said Lois. “So you know about that.”
    “About what?” Cowgill failed to make the question sound innocent.
    “Old Herbert Everitt from Blackbeny Close. That’s what. Gone away, and nobody knows where. Except a so-called nephew came round and said he’d taken Mr. Everitt to a very nice residential home, where he could be properly looked after. He engaged my cleaning services until it was decided what to do with the house. Oh, and he gave me a false telephone contact. Any use?”
    “As always,” replied Cowgill. “The empty house has come to our notice. At least, it’s not empty of furniture, but the old boy seems to have gone missing. Neighbours informed us. Worried about him and his little dog. Still, if he’s safe in an old folks’ home, that’s fine. Know anything else about it, Lois?”
    “Nothing, really,” she said. “The nephew is Reg Abthorpe—at least, that’s what he said his name was. Could be as phoney as the telephone number, I suppose. I’m going to do the cleaning myself for a bit. I’ll let you know if I find anything. Must go now. Bye.”
    “S HEILA ?” L OIS HAD DIALLED S HEILA S TRATFORD straight away. Sheila was one of her original cleaners, and although an incurable gossip, she was absolutely reliable. Her reliability was vital, but her knowledge of local goings-on was even more useful to Lois.
    “Do you want to change my