Little Girl Lost

Little Girl Lost by Katie Flynn Read Free Book Online Page A

Book: Little Girl Lost by Katie Flynn Read Free Book Online
Authors: Katie Flynn
think of it you could help me ever so much, if you would. But I can’t explain now, it’s too complicated. We’ll talk after the funeral.’
    Brendan attended the funeral as he had promised, scarcely recognising Sylvie at first, with her bright hair covered in a black felt hat and her small figure also shrouded in black. Len, however, was easy to pick out. He was in the front pew with a warder on either side of him, and though the warders were burly Len Dugdale dwarfed them. Brendan had known he must be a big man but thought that inactivity and prison food had probably increased the other’s weight by several stone. Sylvie, in the pew behind, was tiny in comparison with her hulking great husband.
    The church was packed and there were several policemen present, including a sergeant who had once, he told Brendan, walked Brendan’s own beat. ‘The old feller was a very different kettle of fish from the Dugdale that’s in charge now,’ he said nostalgically. ‘If you went to the back door in them days you’d get a mug of porter if the bar was open, or a big cup of tea and a lovely buttered scone if it weren’t. He’d ask you in to sit by the fire for five minutes so’s he could tell you any gossip which might be useful, and you’d go on your way feelin’ that a policeman’s lot weren’t so bad after all.’
    Brendan had listened wistfully. The present landlord of the Ferryman did not encourage police visits, though he was always polite. But at this point in the sergeant’s reminiscences the notes of the organ rang out, and the service began. When it was over, the priest announced that they should vacate the pews one at a time, starting at the front, and Brendan got a really good look at Len Dugdale as he, the two warders and a couple of policemen processed solemnly down the aisle and out into the morning freshness.
    The entire congregation left the church in an orderly manner and followed the six black horses, with their nodding plumes, across the city to Anfield Cemetery. Brendan was devoutly thankful that the heavy rain of the previous night had given way to a clear blue sky, though the wind was brisk, making him glad to turn up his coat collar.
    The grave was already dug and Brendan joined the others as the priest began to intone the words of committal. He was standing directly opposite Len, and as Mr Dugdale moved forward and threw a handful of earth on to the coffin Brendan was astonished to see large tears begin to run down Len’s podgy cheeks. When his father turned to him, however, he knuckled his eyes briskly, then bent to pick up some earth and lobbed it gently down on to the coffin. After that, most of those present followed suit, including Sylvie, and when she stepped forward Len gave a strangled sob and tried to join her. The warders were having none of it. They had stood unobtrusively enough beside him, but when he turned towards his wife both men snatched simultaneously at his wrists and the policeman behind him clapped a hand on his shoulder and leaned forward to mutter something into his ear. It seemed to bring Len to a consciousness of his surroundings for he sighed gustily and bent his head, and presently the gravedigger seized his spade and began to shovel the earth briskly back into place. This was the signal for the landlord of the Ferryman to invite the assembled company back to the pub where refreshments awaited them.
    Immediately people looked more cheerful, and the procession leaving the churchyard strode out briskly, eager to be back within doors out of the knifing wind.
    Brendan saw Sylvie, who had been surrounded by her family, drop behind them for a moment as the crowd manoeuvred its way out of the cemetery, and seized the opportunity to have a quick word. He reached her side and bent his head, keeping his voice down and not so much as glancing at his companion. ‘You all right? I called in to have a look at the rota in the nick on my way here and it looks like my next day off will

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