And Thereby Hangs a Tale by Jeffrey Archer Read Free Book Online

Now I'm desperate
to know more, but I'll need to hear her speak again if I'm to pick up any
further clues.
    I turned to face her as if I could see her clearly.
'Can you tell me the time?' I asked, just as the clock on the church tower
opposite began to chime.
    She laughed, but didn't reply until the chimes
had stopped. 'If that clock is to be believed,' she said, 'it's exactly ten o'clock.'
The same gentle laugh followed.
    'It's usually a couple of minutes fast,' I
said, staring blankly up at the clock face. 'Although the church's
perpendicular architecture is considered as fine an example of its kind as any
in the West Country, it's not the building itself that people flock to see, but
the Madonna and Child by Barbara Hepworth in the Lady Chapel,' I added,
casually leaning back in my chair.
    'How interesting,' she
volunteered, as Charlie returned and placed a teapot and a small jug of milk on
her table, followed by a cup and saucer. 'I was thinking of attending the
morning service,' she said as she poured herself a cup of tea.
    'Then you're in for a treat. Old Sam, our vicar,
gives an excellent sermon, especially if you've never heard it before.'
    She laughed again before saying, 'I read somewhere
that the Madonna and Child is not at all like Hepworth's usual work.'
    'That's correct,' I replied. 'Barbara would take
a break from her studio most mornings and join me for a coffee,' I said
proudly, 'and the great lady once told me that she created the piece in memory
of her eldest son, who was killed in a plane crash at the age of twenty-four
while serving in the RAF.'
    'How sad,' said the woman, but added no further
comment.
    'Some critics say,' I continued, 'that it's
her finest work, and that you can see Barbara's devotion for her son in the
tears in the Virgin's eyes.'
    The woman picked up her cup and sipped her
tea before she spoke again. 'How wonderful to have actually known her,' she
said.
    'I once attended a talk on the St Ives
School at the Tate, and the lecturer made no mention of the Madonna and Child.'
    'Well, you'll find it tucked away in the Lady
Chapel. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.'
    As she took another sip of tea, I wondered how
many out of ten I'd got so far. Clearly interested in art, probably lives in
London, and certainly hasn't come to St Ives to sit on the beach and sunbathe.
    'So, are you a visitor to these parts?' I
ventured, searching for further clues.
    'Yes. But my aunt is from St Mawes, and she's
hoping to join me for the morning service.'
    I felt a right chump. She must have already seen
the Madonna and Child, and probably knew more about Barbara Hepworth than I did,
but was too polite to embarrass me. Did she also realize I was blind? If so,
those same good manners didn't even hint at it.
    I heard her drain her cup. I can even tell that.
When Charlie returned, she asked him for the bill. He tore off a slip from his
pad and handed it to her. She passed him a bank-note, and he gave her back some
coins.
    'Thank you, madam,' said Charlie effusively.
    It must have been a generous tip.
    'Goodbye,' she said, her voice directed
towards me. 'It was nice to talk to you.'
    I rose from my place, gave her a slight bow and
said, 'I do hope you enjoy the service.'
    'Thank you,' she replied. As she walked away
I heard her say to Charlie, 'What a charming man.' But then, she had no way of
knowing how acute my hearing is.
    And then she was gone.
    I sat waiting impatiently for Charlie to
return. I had so many questions for him. How many of my guesses would turn out
to be correct this time? From the buzz of cheerful chatter in the café, I
guessed there were a lot of customers in that morning, so it was some time
before Charlie was once again standing by my side.
    'Will there be anything else, Mr Trevathan?'
he teased.
    'There most certainly will be, Charlie,' I replied.
'For a start, I want to know all about the woman who was sitting next to me.
Was she tall or short? Fair or dark? Was she slim?
    Good-looking?