Agatha Raisin Kissing Christmas Goodbye

'I will take you there.'

Such as Agatha and Mrs Bloxby seemed old to the youthful Toni, but Mrs Wilson seemed as old as an Egyptian mummy. Despite the heat of the day, she was wrapped in shawls. Her face was criss-crossed with deep wrinkles and her scalp showed through her thin grey hair. Mrs Bloxby introduced Toni and left. Mrs Wilson turned milky eyes on Toni. 'That book there,' she ordered. 'Begin at the beginning.'

Toni picked it up. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

She began to read, reflecting that it was a good thing the old lady still had her hearing and she didn't have to shout. She had never been much of a reader, but she became so involved in the story that she only realized after an hour that Mrs Wilson had fallen asleep.

Toni put the book down and let herself out. Mrs Wilson's cottage was at the top of the village. Toni walked down under a green arch of trees and called in at the general stores to ask for directions to Agatha's house because she had forgotten the road. The villagers in the shop were obviously trying not to stare too hard at her black eye.

In the afternoon, Patrick returned. He said that the locals hadn't been very forthcoming at first, until he had stood them a round of drinks. It was then they had begun to talk. 'They're really bitter,' he said. 'Turns out that Mrs Tamworthy's got building permission for some of her land. It's agricultural land, so they feel she must have bribed someone. They say when she sells, the new owner can put up houses and they'll be expensive houses that no one in the village can afford. They are planning a protest march to the council offices. The ringleader appears to be the publican, called Paul Chambers. He says that Mrs Tamworthy would be better off dead. He says none of her family would sell the place.'

Phil came into the office. 'I didn't get very far with Jimmy Tamworthy, but he's a quiet, gentlemanly type. I got the idea that he might consider working in a shop beneath him.'

'I don't suppose we can do much more until I get out there for the weekend,' said Agatha. 'Let's get back to the more mundane cases.'

Toni was just wondering whether she should go back to the general stores and perhaps buy something to prepare a dinner for the evening when she heard a key turning in the lock. Agatha must be home early. 'I'm in the kitchen,' she called.

Charles Fraith walked in.

'Have you come to stay?' asked Toni. 'I mean, Agatha has only one spare bedroom.'

'I may sleep on the sofa or I may go home. It doesn't matter. You still look as if you've been in the wars. Do you have a car?'

'No, I can't drive yet.'

'Like a driving lesson?'

Toni's eyes shone. 'I'd love that.'

When she was with Agatha or Charles, Toni spoke in carefully precise English, unlike the voice she used at home or with her friends. She could hear inside her head, as she spoke, that other, coarser accent struggling to get out. Charles proved to be a good and patient teacher. He took her up on to the quiet back country roads.

By the time they got back to Agatha's cottage, Charles said, 'You're a good pupil. You'll be driving in no time at all.'

Agatha had arrived home. She looked up as they both came into the kitchen. Toni's eyes were shining and Charles looked amused.

'What have you been up to?' asked Agatha. 'I've been giving Toni driving lessons'

'Good for you. Sit down, Toni. I've got your contract. Read it carefully and sign it at the places I've marked with a cross. Charles, Roy was going to come with me on Saturday to Mrs Tamworthy's birthday party.'

'Who's Mrs Tamworthy?'

Agatha told him. When she had finished, Charles said, 'It all sounds very odd. I'm curious. I'll come with you.'

'Thanks. I think the old lady might just be bonkers, but I wasn't going to enjoy being on my own.'

'I've finished,' said Toni. 'It's a generous wage.'

'You'll not only be earning it,' said Agatha, 'you'll soon be paying me rent, so you'll need it. I'm buying a little flat round the corner from the office. You should be able to move in after a fortnight.' She raised a hand to cut off a volley of excited thanks from Toni. 'As I said, you'll be earning it. Charles, are you staying?'

'May as well. I'll sleep on the sofa.'

'You've got a perfectly good bedroom in that mansion of yours,' Agatha pointed out, 'and it's only half an hour's drive away.'

'My aunt is having friends round this evening.'

Charles lived with his aunt. 'It'll be like a geriatric convention. Much more fun here. Tell you what, I'll take you both out for dinner'

'I haven't the right clothes to wear,' said Toni, imagining a grand restaurant.

'You'll do as you are,' said Agatha. 'I'll bet dear Charles here means to take us to the pub'

'You are so right, Aggie.'

'Got your wallet?'

'Don't be nasty.'

Toni loved the Red Lion with its oak beams, stone floor and little mullioned windows. Agatha was chatting to Charles about the forthcoming weekend. Toni studied her uneasily. She was very grateful to Agatha for all her generosity but was frightened it was merely a whim and Agatha would soon grow tired of playing the Lady Bountiful, not knowing that a good part of Agatha's generosity was prompted by shrewd business acumen. Agatha saw a promising detective, a young detective who would not leave her to go to university as Harry had done. Charles was also a puzzle. He was light and amusing, but Toni wondered what he really thought about things, not knowing that Agatha, who had known him a long time, often worried about the same thing.

They all ate ham, egg and chips. Agatha and Charles had a glass of wine each and Toni had an orange juice.

When they got back to the cottage, Toni suddenly felt awkward. Were Charles and Agatha having an affair? Charles seemed a bit younger than Agatha. Agatha, despite her stocky figure and small eyes, exuded an air of sexiness of which she seemed totally unaware.

Toni decided to plead an early night. 'Have you a copy of A Christmas Carol?' she asked.

'Don't think so.'

'It's just that your friend, Mrs Bloxby, came round. She got me to read to this old lady and that was the book. I keep wondering what happens.'

Charles laughed. 'You've led a charmed life if you don't know. There have been so many films and plays based on that book.'

'Never mind,' said Agatha. 'There's a box of detective stories in the kitchen. Help yourself.'

Toni selected a copy of The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey. It was the first detective story she had ever read. She read on into the night, until her eyelids drooped and she fell asleep.

In the next two days, Agatha found she was engaged to find evidence in two more divorce cases. Toni, who had returned to work on Wednesday, had done well retrieving two cats and one dog, having taken Mrs Freedman's advice and gone to the animal shelter.

Agatha turned to her. 'I think I'll put you on the Horrington case, Toni,' she said. 'Here is the file. Study it. It's quite simple. Mrs Horrington thinks her husband is playing around and wants proof. Phil will give you the camera and lens. You haven't seen your new flat yet. We'll go along after work and you can actually move in tomorrow. I'm paying rent for it until the sale goes through.'

Toni was worried. Agatha was paying her a good salary. Agatha had found her a flat. She felt the weight of gratitude and obligation. She hoped against hope she would prove lucky with this divorce case.

Mr Horrington worked as sales director of a shoe company out on the industrial estate. Toni cycled out to the