machinery having to use a busy road like that, with heavy traffic on it all the time. There’s no comparison to the situation at Withens.’
‘Has the situation been explained properly to the Oxleys?’
‘Mmm. Well, I have to admit that communication might not have been as good as it should be. The fact is, there’s been a bit of a problem over jurisdiction.’
‘Sorry?’
‘We’ve been experiencing a difference of opinion with South Yorkshire over where responsibilities lie. We don’t seem to be able to resolve the situation very easily, I’m afraid. It’s causing rather a delay.’
‘So the Oxleys slip through the cracks while you argue among yourselves.’
‘I wouldn’t put it quite like that.’
‘I would.’
‘As you like. But there are procedures to be followed, and rules to be observed. We can’t just go trampling on someone else’s territory without being confident of our position. There could be legal repercussions. We have to be very careful, otherwise the company’s interests could be compromised.’
There’s another terrace of houses down there, isn’t there?’
‘Yes, Trafalgar Terrace. They’re void properties.’
‘Void? That’s a good word for it. I’d call them derelict. They look like a health hazard to me.’
‘They’re earmarked for action in the near future,’ said Venables stiffly.
‘So neither the Oxleys nor anyone else has tenancy of the empty houses?’
‘No. I told you, they’re void. Why?’
‘We may wish to search Trafalgar Terrace. Do we have your permission for that, sir?’
‘Of course. But you’ll have to be quick/
‘Why? Is there something you’re not telling me, sir?’
‘Our contractors will be moving in very soon to start work.’
‘You’re repairing the houses?’
352
‘Demolishing them/ said Venables.
Cooper stared at him. It was an obvious thing to do, really. In fact, it should have been done a long time ago. But it seemed like another sign of that impermanence that Tracy Udall had put her finger on. It was another bit of Withens about to disappear.
‘How did you come to rent all the houses in Waterloo Terrace to members of the Oxley family?’ said Cooper.
‘I know it looks a little unusual. If the properties were to fall vacant now, I don’t think it would happen again. The company would be looking to increase the rents substantially, for a start. But at the time it was thought there was no demand for rented properties in Withens. So the company decided to leave the old policy in place - the policy that tenancies could be passed on to members of the same family. It’s a very old principle, designed to ensure a worker’s family wasn’t turned out on to the street if the man himself was killed during his employment. The early proprietors were concerned about their employees’ welfare. They were almost philanthropists.’
‘Compared to the present owners, you mean?’
‘I couldn’t possibly comment.’
‘Property values have changed in Withens in recent years, I suppose?’
There’s still a shortage of demand for rental properties. But the company has been approached by a private developer interested in purchasing the entire row of houses.’
‘You mean the company is going to sell Waterloo Terrace?’
‘It makes sound commercial sense.’
‘But new owners would have to take on the sitting tenants, wouldn’t they?’
‘Of course. The tenants have rights that are protected by law.’
Cooper studied Venables. So often he found himself trying to hear the words that people weren’t saying, because that’s where the true meaning lay. But there was more than one communication gap involved in the Withens case. In fact, there were as many communication gaps as there were combinations of people trying to communicate with each other. The result was a Babel in his head.
‘New landlords would mean big changes for the Oxleys, wouldn’t they, Mr Venables?’ he said.
‘Well, undoubtedly,’ said Venables, with a smile. ‘Undoubtedly.’
‘And do you know what the new owners plan for Waterloo Terrace?’
353
‘Oh yes, I know.’
‘Demolition?’
‘I imagine that would be the preferred option.’
‘But they can’t demolish the houses with sitting tenants, can they?’
‘Of course not. As I said, they’re protected.’
‘So the Oxleys would need to be got out of Waterloo Terrace in some way.’
