Superfluous Women by Carola Dunn Read Free Book Online Page B

They’ll end up wanting his help, I don’t doubt. Now, here’s the key to the room, two of ’em’s all I’ve got.”
    â€œI’m sure they’ll manage.”
    â€œAnd I’ll see the cot’s set up within the hour.”
    â€œThank you very much, Mr. Whitford.”
    The landlord leaned across the counter and lowered his voice confidentially. “Truth is, I wouldn’t do it for just anyone, but my daughter’s boy as wasn’t any too keen on learning his letters, he likes going to school since Miss Leighton’s come.” He nodded and winked.
    Not at all sure what his manner was intended to convey, Daisy smiled in response and returned upstairs.
    Opening the bedroom door, she took a shallow breath as she stepped in, then sniffed. “It’s not half as bad as it was,” she announced.
    â€œI can still smell it,” Vera said unhappily. “I wish I had a change of clothes.”
    â€œI could lend you and Willie frocks, though you’d flounder in them. You’re both much slimmer than I am and Willie’s shorter.”
    â€œIt wouldn’t be fair. Izzy’s too tall to borrow from you.”
    â€œI expect I can persuade Alec to go and pick up some clothes for you when he gets here.”
    â€œWe haven’t even got our handbags,” Willie pointed out, “and I have to have my briefcase for work tomorrow.”
    â€œAlec will sort things out. In the meantime, here’s a couple of keys to your own room. They’re setting up a cot, which the landlord swears is remarkably comfortable.”
    Isabel looked sceptical. “Let’s hope we won’t have to suffer for too long. Daisy, how long will they keep us out?”
    â€œI really don’t know, but I doubt if it will be longer than you’ll want to stay away.”
    â€œI wonder whether Mrs. Hedger will be willing to clean the cellar? We may have to hire—I don’t know what sort of person or company.” Isabel’s domestic mind had already returned to the practicalities of their situation.
    Vera shuddered.
    â€œYou’ll find someone, Iz,” said Willie. “In the meantime, as we’re now officially residents, I’m off to take a bath, even if I have to put the same clothes on again afterwards.”
    â€œWill there be time for all of us to have a bath before the police arrive?” Vera asked.
    â€œIf not, they’ll just have to wait. Come on. We’ll see you in a bit, Daisy.”
    Daisy decided to put her feet up for a few minutes while she pondered the body in the basement. She was certain her three friends, the old and the new, were in no way responsible for the corpse in their cellar. Nonetheless, they were going to find themselves drawn into the police investigation, always an ordeal. Daisy would have to stay in Beaconsfield and do what she could to give them the benefit of her experience.
    She rearranged the pillows, kicked off her shoes, leaned back, and promptly fell asleep.
    *   *   *
    Harris was not happy. So much was evident as soon as the bulky sergeant stepped through the garden gate, wheeling his bicycle, his podgy face under the helmet creased in a scowl.
    Alec wasn’t very happy, either. He had been pacing up and down the path for over thirty minutes. He didn’t see how even an overweight police officer could take half an hour to bicycle three quarters of a mile downhill.
    As Alec strode towards Harris, the sergeant turned his back and wheeled the bike over to a tree, against which he leaned it, his every motion slow and deliberate.
    Refusing to let himself be baited, if that was the man’s game, Alec walked on to the gate. He looked each way along the street before he closed it and turned back to find the sergeant staring at him suspiciously.
    â€œMr. Fletcher?”
    â€œYes. You’re Harris, I take it.”
    â€œWhat was you looking for just