“Now,” he said, “listen to me, Kate Adstone. Your husband is deeply in debt to me. His part of the bargain was to wreck all chances of restoring your pathetic village hall, and instead to persuade the oafs on the parish council to go for the rebuild option. He did not do this. Not only that, but he now appears to be determined to wreck plan B, which was to make sure the soap box grand prix will be a financial disaster. It will be closed down on the night before the event. By the police, of course, who I understand have not been consulted. You can’t just organise this kind of thing without consulting them, you know. Gavin is to see that this happens, at the last minute, of course, to cost the organisers the most possible trouble in terms of money and disappointment. You are to see he does that, Kate. Otherwise, I shall take steps to make your marriage unbearable. A total disaster. Oh yes, don’t interrupt. I can do it. You can be sure of that.”
He sat back in his chair and smiled again. The pizzas arrived, and Kate cut up small pieces to feed to Cecilia. Her head was reeling. Most of what Froot had said was a complete surprise. But one odd thing occurred to her.
“But why do want the village hall rebuilt? Surely not a job for contractors of your size?”
“Not just the village hall, Kate. It would be a package, taking in the playing fields. Lots of lovely executive dwellings for young families with children to play with Cecilia. And before you ask, I shall of course make sure alternative playing fields are provided.”
“But even so,” she protested, “it could only be a small development compared with your usual projects. There’s another reason, isn’t there?”
“That’s where the bargain comes in,” Froot said, leaning forwards confidingly. “When Gavin brings off his part of the assignment, I have promised to waive the debt and make a place for him at the top of my team. He’s a clever lad, Kate, as I’m sure you know. I want him back.” And his wife, too, if possible, he thought, but kept that to himself.
“You must be mad,” Kate said. “Gavin is no performing monkey! He has principles and a mind of his own. We’ll pay off your rotten loan, if it takes everything we’ve got.”
“Everything?” said Froot, and now his smile was slimy.
Kate shivered. “Come on, Cecilia,” she said, standing up, glaring at him. “We’re off home. And don’t send your disgusting heavy round to intimidate me again, or I’ll be the one going to the police. And not to shop the soap box lot! I’ll see you in jail, Tim Froot, if you put one more foot wrong. We’ll make regular payments until we’re clear of you and everything to do with you.”
She turned her back on him and pushed Cecilia out of the cafe and walked as fast as she could along the crowded pavement, away from the worst half hour of her life.
OVER THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN, IN THE SMALL TERRACE OF houses by the canal, Froot’s faithful henchman was slumped in front of his sister’s television. They were watching her favourite soap, and he was nearly asleep. Then his mobile rang, and when he saw who was calling he ran into the kitchen, slamming the door.
“Hello, boss? How’s life?”
“Shut up!” said Tim Froot. “Listen carefully, you idiot. I shall say these instructions only once, so get it right. If anything goes wrong this time, you’re a dead man. Perhaps floating gently past your sister’s house in the murky canal? No, that’s too good for you. So just listen.”
FORTY-NINE
FATHER RODNEY HAD DRIFTED AROUND TRESHAM, BUYING things he didn’t really need but passing the time until the bus to Farnden returned. He was early back at the bus station, and looked round, vaguely hoping that Kate and Cecilia would also be in time. They were nowhere to be seen, and in due course the bus was almost full. The driver climbed into his seat and started the engine.
“Hey, wait a minute!” a woman called from the rear of the bus. “A woman with a baby is coming! Wait a minute, driver!” she repeated.
Fortunately, the driver was the good-humored one who usually drove this bus on a Saturday. He nodded, and opened the doors again. Father Rodney got up from his seat and rushed to help Kate aboard, taking the pushchair from her and stowing it, and then sitting the two of them down next to him. “You made it, then,” he said calmly. He supposed it was the dash for the bus that had caused Kate to look so upset and shaky, and when Cecilia tried to climb on to his lap, he lifted her up gladly.
Kate nodded and tried to thank him, but instead she choked and put her hand up to her mouth.
“My dear, are you all right?” he asked with concern. “Has something happened in town? Anything I can do to help? No, don’t try to answer. Take your time.”
He was quite sure there must have been some nasty incident, but when Kate had recovered herself she just gave him a crooked smile and said no, she was just out of breath from running.
Father Rodney then made small talk and pointed out a passing fire engine to Cecilia. “Wha-wha! Wha-wha!” she said dutifully.
For Kate, the journey seemed endless. She desperately wanted to be in her small cottage, safely locked in until Gavin came home. She had decided to risk his wrath and tell him what she had done. At least that would put him on his guard in case Froot decided on violent retaliation. She knew now that the man could do it. The expression on his face as she stormed out of the cafe was scary, and all eyes had been turned on him. She hadn’t looked back, but guessed that he would not have followed her. That would have made him too conspicuous, and he was a man who liked to be in the shadows. It would be that villain in the dirty white van. He was the one they should be looking out for.
When they got off the bus, she assured the vicar that she would be fine walking home. She did not explain that there were plenty of people about, and she meant to walk fast. As she passed the Hicksons’ house, she heard Paula’s voice. For a moment, she wanted to walk on, pretending she had not heard, but in the end slowed up and stopped, looking round.
“Got time for a cuppa?” shouted Paula. “Been shopping in town? Thirsty work,” she added hopefully.
Kate sighed. “Oh, well, thanks,” she said, turning the pushchair round. “Kind of you. Can’t stay long, but a quick cup would be great. Thanks.”
“I’ve been alone with the kids all day,” Paula said, as they went into the house. “You get desperate for a bit of adult conversation, don’t you?” she added. “I could almost have my husband back, just for that.”
“Are you serious?” Kate asked, suddenly aware of a change in her new friend. So this wasn’t just a casual invitation. She took her mug of tea and sat down, watching Cecilia and Frankie sparring over a pile of toy bricks.
“Not really,” Paula replied slowly. “But yes, I suppose I am. It’s Jack Jr. that I’m thinking of. He needs his father. He’s a difficult boy-always was-but I thought I could manage him on my own.” She gave a rueful smile, and added, “But it’s obvious that I can’t. O’ course, he’s bright. Everybody says so. But if I’m not careful, it’s all going the wrong way. He’ll use his cleverness in bad ways, and end up one of them dropouts outside the town hall in Tresham.
“You might meet some other guy, who’d be a better influence than Jack Sr.,” Kate suggested. She could concentrate with only half her mind, her thoughts still whirling round her encounter with Tim Froot. Supposing he got to Gavin before she did? She drank her tea in big gulps, and shifted in her chair, preparing to leave.
“Better the devil you know,” Paula answered, with a half smile. “My old man was a good husband and father until he lost his job, you know. It was the disgrace, really. Where he was brought up, losing your job was your own fault. This time it wasn’t. But anyway, it was the stigma what really got him down.”
Kate subsided back into her chair. This was costing Paula quite a lot, telling her this stuff about her husband. She wanted to say that if all she had to worry about was a depressed husband, she was lucky. Then she reminded herself that Paula had had a terrible few days, and tried again.
“Well, when they find him, why don’t you suggest getting together with one of those marriage adviser people. Maybe you could both try hard and make a go of it again?”
“
