The Devil's Serenade Read Online Free Page A

him. “How’s it going?”
    “Not bad. Should be finished by Thursday teatime. Are you still sure you only want radiators on the landings of the upper two floors?”
    “Yes, for now anyway. I’m not sure what my plans are for up there, so at least those will help keep the place dry and take the chill off.”
    He nodded. “Any chance of a brew? I’m parched.”
    “Of course. I’ll put the kettle on.”
    He hovered nearby while I made the tea, as if he wanted to want to say something. When I thought he’d decided against it, he spoke.
    “I’ve had another look at that tree of yours.”
    “Any ideas how I’m going to get rid of it?”
    “Frankly, no. I mean, I can saw off the roots as far as I can reach, but they’ll probably grow back again.”
    “I’m concerned about the damage to the foundation,” I said.
    “Didn’t you have a survey done?”
    I shook my head. “There didn’t seem any point. I mean, I intended to live here anyway. I never thought. I suppose if I’d been intending to sell, it might have been different. Maybe that’s what I should do. Get a surveyor in.”
    “Maybe. Or a professional arborist. They understand all about tree growth.”
    “I had a tree surgeon. Dai Harries.”
    Charlie snorted. “I’ve known Dai since he was a snotty-nosed kid. He’s not a proper tree surgeon. Not an arborist anyway. Dai’s more of a hacker. He chops branches off, fells the odd nuisance tree. You know, the cute little leylandii that grows to monstrous proportions? Then he’ll tarmac your drive and repair your fence. He’s a proper jack of all trades, our Dai. No, for something like this, you need a specialist. It’ll cost you, mind.” He hesitated.
    “Is there something you’re not saying, Charlie? If it’s more bad news, I need you to tell me.”
    “It’s just that…well, I know some trees have roots which can extend for maybe three times their total height. Willows, for example. The only tree anywhere near here is that one on the riverbank and, because of what’s happened to it, it’s difficult to predict how tall it should be, so much of it is lying on the ground. But I can’t see how the roots could grow this far. I seem to remember being told that you shouldn’t plant willow closer than about fifty feet from a house, but any further than that should be fine.”
    “Maybe these roots don’t belong to that tree at all,” I said. Are they even still alive?” I remembered how that root had felt, wriggling in my hand. It was alive all right, however I might wish otherwise. “Maybe there used to be another tree here, closer to the house, and it was chopped down.” I hoped Charlie believed this. If he did, there was a chance it could be true and I could suppress the increasing sense of unease inside me.
    But all he said was, “Maybe.”
    The tiny spark of hope in my mind snuffed out. “You don’t look convinced.”
    “It’s the way they’ve come into your cellar. I mean, I’ve heard of tree roots growing under foundations and cracking up floors and so on, but I can’t see how on earth these have got in. It’s almost as if they’re part of the fabric of the house.” He shook his head. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
    The hand holding his mug of tea trembled a little. It disturbed me. Charlie didn’t strike me as the nervy type, yet this tree business seemed to have really affected him. Nothing else for it, I had to get this sorted out.
    “Do you know any professional arborists at all?”
    He blinked. “I’m sorry I don’t, but you should be able to find someone online.” He set his mug down and looked away—over my shoulder in the direction of the cellar door. I turned to see what had attracted his attention. Nothing there. I looked back. Still avoiding my eyes, he stood. “Ah well, back to what I understand.”
    After he’d gone back upstairs, I was left with my own thoughts.
    Dark thoughts.

Chapter Three
    July 1976
    Maddie’s—so-called—best