‘The doctor said that you had to keep it on.’
‘It’s so
‘Your other hand is now free,’ she pointed out.
‘Thank goodness! I can at least start to write again.’
Flexing his right hand, he examined it. Still covered by scabs, it was no longer burning away under the bandaging. It was the left hand that was more badly damaged and it would be some time before he had free use of it again. Meanwhile, he could now catch up on the correspondence that he had had to postpone.
‘Will you be going to London this week?’ asked Mrs Ashmore.
‘I think not. I’ll have to change my routine for once. Until my hands and my head are better, I’ll stay here and enjoy the comforts of home.’
‘I’m glad to hear that.’
‘As for refreshment, Mrs Ashmore, I think that a long walk will be the best tonic for me somehow. Splendid fellows though they are, our churchwardens can lower the spirits at times – not that they must ever know that.’
‘You can always rely on me, Mr Follis.’
‘Your discretion is much appreciated.’
After thanking her with a smile, he took his leave and stepped out of the rectory. It was a fine day and he wished that he could wear a hat to ward off the sun but the bandaging around his skull made that impossible. Though he had told his housekeeper that he was going on a long walk, he instead took a short stroll to a terrace not far from the church. Stopping outside the corner house, he rang the bell. The door was opened by a breathless Amy Walcott, who had seen him through the window of the drawing room and scampered to meet him.
‘Good morning, Amy,’ he said.
‘What a lovely surprise!’
‘The churchwardens and I have just been talking about you.’
Her expression changed. ‘There are no complaints about the way the flowers are arranged, are there?’ she said, apprehensively. ‘I take so much trouble over them and always check when it’s been someone else’s turn.’
‘The flowers have earned nothing but compliments,’ he told her. ‘In fact, Miss Andrews, whom you met yesterday, said that you had mastered the art of flower arranging.’
‘Did the young lady go into the church, then?’
‘I made sure that she did.’ He beamed at her. ‘It’s very nice standing out here on your doorstep, Amy, but I was hoping for a private word. May I come in?’
‘Of course, of course,’ she said, backing away.
They went into a drawing room that was cosy and inviting rather than elegant. It had a dated feel to it. Everything in it had been bought by Amy’s mother before she had followed her husband to the grave. The passion for flowers was reflected in the floral pattern on the wallpaper and the landscapes on the wall, replete with fields of bluebells, daffodils and other flowers.
‘Your mother left her mark on this room, Amy,’ he observed.
‘I try to keep it exactly as Mother left it.’
‘That’s why I feel so comfortable in here.’ She indicated the sofa and he sat down. ‘Thank you.’
‘I’m sorry that I was in the way yesterday.’
‘Don’t talk such nonsense!’
‘Inspector Colbeck came to talk about the train crash.’
‘He gave me no warning of his arrival,’ said Follis. ‘Since he was there, I could hardly turn him away.’
‘Is Miss Andrews his…fiancee?’ she probed.
‘I fancy that she will be in time – they are very close.’
Amy was relieved to hear it. The fact that he had taken her into the church had set off a faint pang of jealousy. At the rectory, she had felt ousted by a much prettier young woman.
‘You have your own charms,’ he said, settling back, ‘and not even Miss Andrews could compete with you in some ways. Have you been reading Tennyson again?’
‘Yes,’ she replied. ‘I know some of the smaller poems by heart.’
‘You’ve always been quick to learn, Amy.’
She almost blushed. ‘I’ve had a good teacher.’
‘Then let me hear how well I’ve taught you.’ He looked towards the door. ‘Are we alone in the house?’
‘The maid is in the kitchen. We’ll not be disturbed.’
‘Good.’
‘Shall I fetch the book, Mr Follis?’
‘Where is it?’
‘On the table beside my bed,’ she replied.
‘Let it stay there for a while, Amy,’ he said, using his right hand to stroke his chin. ‘Why don’t you recite the poems that you’ve learnt by heart? At this moment in time, I can’t think of anything in the world I’d rather hear.’
Amy Walcott glowed with delight.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Victor Leeming had hoped that he could slip back to Scotland Yard without being spotted by the superintendent but Edward Tallis had an uncanny knack of knowing which of his officers was on the premises at any given time. No sooner had Leeming crept into Colbeck’s office than the shadow of his superior fell across him. He quailed.
‘Do you have the inspector’s permission to come in here while he’s away?’ enquired Tallis.
‘Yes, Superintendent, I do.’
‘For what purpose, may I ask?’
‘He wanted me to compare some handwriting, sir,’ said Leeming. ‘I believe that he showed you the funeral card received at the hospital by Mr Bardwell.’
‘Yes – it was an appalling thing to send.’
‘Thank heaven Mr Bardwell didn’t actually know what it said. The Reverend Follis had the presence of mind to keep it from him and pass it on to us instead.’
‘Everything I learn about this clergyman is to his credit,’ said Tallis, warmly. ‘I should like to meet the fellow some time.’
‘I’d like to hear him preach in church. I fancy that he’d deliver a lively sermon. Oh, that reminds me, sir,’ Leeming continued, seizing his opportunity. ‘I’d very much like to have next Sunday free, if it’s at all possible.’
‘That depends on the state of this investigation.’
‘Whatever its state, I need to be at home.’
‘Why – is there some kind of domestic emergency?’
‘We’re having an important family event.’
‘Dear God!’ cried Tallis with dismay, ‘are you telling me that your wife is about to give birth to
Leeming was embarrassed. ‘We’re not expecting an addition to the family, sir.’
‘I’m relieved to hear it.’
‘Estelle and I are happy with the two children we already have.’
‘My opinion remains unchanged,’ said Tallis. ‘Children are a grave distraction for any police officer.’
‘You were a child once, Superintendent.’
‘Don’t be impertinent.’
‘I’m sorry, sir.’
‘What exactly is this important family event?’
‘It’s nothing,’ said Leeming, not wishing to invite derision by explaining his request. ‘I’ll do whatever needs to be done to bring this investigation to a conclusion.’
‘That’s the attitude I expect of my men. You must have seen that vicious article in the newspaper yesterday,’ said Tallis, still smarting at the personal attack on him. ‘We need to vindicate our reputation and do so quickly. I
