Mrs. Pargeter's Pound of Flesh by Simon Brett Read Free Book Online Page B

appealing. And no, the girls were no problem, they loved being looked after by her Mum. So did the poodles.
    Also, of course, the longer Kim stayed at Brotherton Hall, the less time she would have before Thicko's release for backsliding from her regime – and the less traitorous pounds would have an opportunity to infiltrate themselves back on to her body.
    Ankle-Deep Arkwright was less enthusiastic about the extension to their stay when Mrs Pargeter mooted it. The generosity of his initial welcome changed to much whingeing about the availability of rooms and abject reminders that there was a recession on.
    She answered the first objection by checking future bookings at Reception, and the second by insisting that she was happy to pay for the extra days.
    Ankle-Deep Arkwright, realizing that further opposition would raise more suspicions than it might quell, agreed miserably.
    'What's the matter, Ank?' Mrs Pargeter asked gently. 'There's something upsetting you, isn't there?'
    She could see he was torn. Ranked on one side stood his loyalty to the widow of the late Mr Pargeter, and the alluring relief of talking to someone about his problems.
    On the other side stood fear. Though fear of what or of whom Mrs Pargeter could not begin to guess.
    The fear won.
    'All right, Mrs P, go ahead, book the extra days. I can't stop you. But I must tell you that I'm just about to get very busy, so I may not be able to give you quite the personal attention I have up till now.'
    The message to Mrs Pargeter was clear. You're on your own. Keep your nose out of my business.
    CHAPTER 11
    Before the interview finished, Mrs Pargeter asked Ankle-Deep Arkwright whether their disagreement would mean the end of her "Special Treatment" status, and he fell over himself to assure her that she was still welcome to all of the facilities of the 'Allergy Room'. Again, half of him seemed desperate to get rid of her, while the other half still wanted to provide all the cosseting due to the widow of the late Mr Pargeter.
    She got the feeling he was not blocking her progress from any personal animus, but because of pressure from a person or persons unknown. Since Mrs Pargeter had always favoured pulling bushes up by the roots rather than beating about them, she again asked directly what his problem was or who was making his life difficult, but she got nothing back. Ankle-Deep Arkwright clammed up and brought their interview to an abrupt conclusion.
    There was not a lot more she could do that day on the investigation front. She was waiting for more information from Truffler Mason, and her enquiries at Brotherton Hall could not progress further until Lindy Galton returned to work the following day.
    But Mrs Pargeter was not the sort to let this enforced idleness prey on her spirits. She resigned herself philosophically to a day of indulgence. Her exercise programme incorporated an hour in the jacuzzi and another sweet nostalgia-inducing massage session with the ex-baker. And she continued to warm the cockles of Gaston's heart by the relish with which she despatched his Truite aux Amandes Style Paysan complemented by a Sorbet de Cassis at lunchtime, and his Carre d'Agneau Imperiale followed by Tira-mi-su at dinner.
    With the former meal she drank a young Vouvray; with the latter a mature Rioja Gran Reserva as thick and rich as arterial blood.
    There were worse ways of spending a day.
    Tracking down Lindy Galton the following morning proved harder than it should have been. The girl on Reception confirmed that Lindy was back at work, but then became evasively ignorant of precisely which duties she had been allocated. Whether this ignorance was genuine or commanded by Ankle-Deep Arkwright was impossible to know.
    Kim Thurrock proved more helpful. So immersed had she become in the life style of Brotherton Hall that she seemed to know everything that went on there. Kim, whom Mrs Pargeter found on her back in the gym pushing up impossible-looking weights with her feet,