Amanda shook her head in mock despair.
All too soon, the evening was drawing to a close, and there still remained a matter she had resolved to settle.
Chapter 57
Miss Cadabra Gives Her Answer
The inspector, predictably now to everyone in the ballroom, appeared before Amanda at the opening bars of a familiar tune.
With a formal bow, he held out his hand.
‘Miss Cadabra, they’re playing our song, I believe.’
With a chuckle, she rose and curtseyed.
‘So it is.’
As they circled the dance floor to a waltz version of Roses of Picardy, they failed to notice that they were the object of attention of all at the tables. Even other couples twirling nearby were taking more than a fleeting glance at them, when not having to pay attention to their own feet.
‘Lovely, Inspector!’ called out Sylvia approvingly, as she passed by in the arms of Dennis.
‘Very nice, Inspector,’ came from Joan and Jim dancing nearby.
‘Tell me, Miss Cadabra,’ he asked. ‘Do you think they’ll ever call me by my first name?’
‘No,’ Amanda answered decisively. ‘You’ll always be “Inspector”. The Patels have delivered half the babies in Sunken Madley, and are privy to every physical embarrassment incurred by their village patients, are treasured friends, but they’ll always be “Doctor”, just as Jane will always be “Rector”.’
‘I see. Beyond all hope then,’ he replied with feigned despair.
‘Best give in now!’ A few moments later, Amanda said, ‘It was kind of you to ask Pamela to dance.’
‘My pleasure. I remember what it’s like to be young and nervous.’
‘Hard to imagine, Inspector. Do you remember the first person who asked you to dance?’
‘Vividly: my mother! And you?’
‘I expect you can guess: Grandpa!’
‘That would have been my first shot. Well, I must say, Pamela did herself proud both following my steps and in her new turn-out. She really didn’t have you to thank for that?’
‘Only in a very roundabout way. Let’s say I called in a favour.’
‘I see.’ He asked gently, ‘Are you going to tell me about it?’
‘I’m afraid it isn’t my secret to tell,’ Amanda replied regretfully.
‘Ah. I understand.’
Roses of Picardy had reached its final chorus. It was now or never.
‘By the way,’ opened Amanda, hastily.
‘Hm?’
‘It’s yes,’ she stated.
‘Yes?’
‘My answer … to your question … your job offer … It’s yes.’
A grin lit Thomas’s face.
‘It is,’ he asked in delight.
‘It is,’ she confirmed.
It was the final bars of the dance. All at once, Thomas drew Amanda into a close hold, put both arms around her, lifted her clean off her feet and swung her around and around.
She laughed in glee and surprise. He set her down.
‘Inspector,’ Amanda uttered severely, ‘are you sure that’s allowed in the terms of our partnership?’
‘It’s not only allowed, it’s compulsory,’ Trelawney responded with aplomb. ‘Always read the small print, Miss Cadabra.’
The villagers were gathering around them.
‘He’s popped the question,’ announced Joan with a broad wink.
‘No! That is a wond—’
‘And she’s said yes!’
‘Of course she ‘as,’ insisted Sylvia.
‘What?’ asked Dennis.
‘He’s offered our Amanda a job helping him solve crimes,’ Joan explained.
‘Oh yes, she’s very good, you know, Inspector,’ Sylvia said, taking his arm.
‘And she knows all about around here,’ added Jim.
‘She’ll do you proud, Inspector,’ stated Joan.
‘Mind you take care of our Amanda now,’ Sylvia adjured him. ‘We don’t want her in no shoot-outs!’
‘With Uzis and such,’ Jim put in.
‘Or Beretta 9000’s!’ called Sylvia.
‘Automatic is that?’ inquired Jim.
‘No, it’s only semi-automatic,’ corrected Miss Armstrong-Witworth mildly, joining the throng.
‘Yes, I’m sure it was on Crimewatch,’ contributed Mrs Sharma.
‘Of course. Well, we don’t want none of them pointing at our Amanda, anyway,’ Joan stated.
‘No flintlocks or blunderbusses either!’ chimed in Dennis heartily.
‘You’ll be wanting somewhere to stay,’ Joan pointed out to Trelawney.
‘What about Marble Halls up on —’ Jim began to suggest.
‘No, much too big!’ protested Sandy of The Big Tease.
‘Plenty of space for offices though,’ Alex countered.
‘Wait,’ commanded Gordon French in his best headmaster’s voice. ‘Irene has a suggestion.’ With a wave of his hand, a path opened before Mrs James.
‘Inspector,’ she said diffidently, ‘if you would consider renting for the time being, I would give you an excellent rate at The Elms. Jessica and I would do anything for Amanda, and now you’re partners …’
‘And you’ll be not just honorary Village; you’ll be Village!’ cried Gordon. At which, the enthusiastic little crowd broke into applause.
‘As you know,’ continued Irene, ‘The Elms is very large, and I rent out accommodation there. There’s a one-bedroom self-contained flat on the ground floor. You would be able to come and go as you pleased only …’
‘The last one left it in a bit of a state,’ supplied Joan. She turned to Irene. ‘I did caution you about that Gladys Gadding’s daughter. No better than she should be, tha—’
‘I’m sure,’ intervened Irene firmly, ‘that the state of the flat can be remedied, however.’
‘The other residents are very nice,’ Neeta Patel assured him.
‘Of course,’ admitted Irene, ‘Gabriella can get a bit Italian when she’s on the phone, but she’s a dear soul.’
‘We think she and Robert will make a match of it. Heaven knows he’s nutty on her,’ Joan expounded.
‘Yes, well, Inspector, Robert would certainly help you or do all of the work for a consideration. And … oh!’
The crowd was all eyes on Irene.
‘I’ve just had a thought. The room beside it is empty. What about putting a door through to it and you could use that as your office!’
‘Bryan Branscombe’s your man for that. ‘E’s a lovely builder,’ Sylvia informed Trelawney.
‘It sounds ideal!’ Irma Uberhausfest approved.
‘What do you think, Inspector?’ asked Alex.
‘You’d have to see it first, of course,’ Irene said supportively. ‘That is, if the idea appeals to you.’
‘Inspector,’ Miss Armstrong-Witworth said gently, looking up at him. ‘I do think it might suit. Until you establish yourself with something of a more permanent nature.’
There was a pause while they awaited Thomas’s response.
