Secrets on Saturday by Ann Purser Read Free Book Online Page B

“Not looking where you were going. I could book you for a traffic offence!”
    “S-s-sorry.” Lois was nonplussed for a moment, and Cowgill jumped in while she rapidly collected her thoughts.
    “Got time for a coffee?” he said, and a small smile flickered across his face. Lois hesitated. Probably a bad idea for them to be seen together, if she was to go on working for him. On the other hand, it would seem churlish and hard-hearted to refuse. He read her thoughts. “I know a nice little café, dark corners and private. Mind you,” he added hastily, “I only mean …”
    “I know what you mean,” Lois said. “And yes, I’d love a coffee. Lead on, and I’ll follow a few paces behind.”
    He led her through the market place and into an alley down by the Gloucester Arms. She waited a few minutes after he’d disappeared into a small café tucked into a corner next to the churchyard, and then went in to join him. In the Stygian gloom, she couldn’t see him at first, but then saw a hand wave from the corner and went quickly to sit down.
    “I’m really sorry. What happened?” she said.
    “Thanks. It was so unfair.” He looked down at his hands. “She was driving along at thirty, coming back from the daughter’s down a narrow lane, and these kids in a stolen car hit her head-on. Drunk, high, God knows what else. Stolen car. They weren’t touched, but she was killed instantly.” He picked up his cup of coffee and his hand shook, so that some spilled on to the table. Lois quickly wiped it up with a paper napkin and put a hand on his arm.
    “Don’t say any more if you don’t want to,” she said.
    “It’s just to be got through,” he replied dully. “Daughter and her family are very good, considering they’re shattered too. We’ve all just got to get through it.”
    They sat in silence for a minute or two, and then Cowgill said, “It’s good to see you, Lois. Thanks for coming here. How’s your family?”
    Lois smiled. “Oh, the usual, you know. Derek’s still struggling to be head of the family, Gran is a tower of strength and a bit of an irritation at the same time, Josie and her bloke are doing as well as can be expected in the shop, and the boys are away and I’ve no idea what they’re up to.”
    “Not much change, then,” said Cowgill, with a touch of envy. “Any news of old Herbert Everitt?”
    Lois looked up in surprise. “Are you sure you want to talk about it?” she said.
    “Yep,” he said. “Keeps my mind off graveyards.”
    Lois shivered, and thought hard. Surely there must be something useful she could tell him? “I still haven’t got hold of Reg Abthorpe,” she said, “but I think I saw him again, driving quickly through the village. I’m certain itwas his old car.” Then she remembered the woman and the terriers, and described what had happened. “She was definitely watching me,” she said. “And those terriers were killers, I reckon. When she came out and dragged them into the house, I caught sight of her, and though she seemed a bit familiar, I couldn’t place her. But Jean Slater …” And then she told him about that, too, and for a few moments he was the old Cowgill, coldly concentrating and registering everything she said. Then he sank into a silent heap, his face closed, and she judged it time to go.
    “Must get to the fish stall before they sell out,” she said. “I’ll go first. And …” She hesitated. “And if there’s anything I can do—even if you just want a chat—you know where I am.” She felt her eyes smart, turned away and made for the door.
    T HE AFTERNOON WAS FINE , AND , SEEING THE SUNLIT garden, Lois decided to take Jeems for a walk. Which way should she go? Down the concrete road and across the stream, then back across a muddy pasture? Or up one bridle path and back down another? Or the same way as she went the other day, and risk confronting the sheepdog? She hadn’t decided when she saw Floss walking by, on her way to meet Sheila