Threats at Three by Ann Purser Read Free Book Online

seat. “He’s smiling, bless him.”
    “Probably dreaming of walking in space,” Douglas said.
    They were silent for a while, and then Lois said, “Hey, Derek, isn’t that Gavin Adstone and family?”
    A large black car with darkened windows sped past them. “Idiot driver going too fast to be sure. Must be doing at least a hundred,” said Derek.
    “And with a child aboard! And if you don’t mind my mentioning it, Doug, you’re doing eighty yourself,” said Susie.
    “Could you see two men?” persisted Lois.
    “Give it a rest, Sherlock,” said Derek, and settling himself comfortably, he closed his eyes.

EIGHT

    M ONDAY MORNING, AND JOSIE STOOD AT THE SHOP WINDOW, looking up and down the street, wondering if any customers were likely to appear. She opened up every morning at eight o’clock, though she had to be on duty much earlier to take in and sort the post. This morning, apart from one or two early birds who came in for a newspaper, she had sold nothing.
    It was half term, of course, and there wouldn’t be the usual kids who came in for unhealthy snacks before the school bus came along. In spite of their daily fix of chocolate bars and cans of sweet drinks, they all looked rosy-cheeked and healthy to her. The only one who was pale-faced and had a persistent cough was a girl from Blackberry Gardens whose parents were strict vegetarians. Josie hoped she was able to stuff herself with sausages at school dinners.
    A woman came hurrying out of the house opposite. Josie retreated behind the counter, and saw it was Paula Hickson from across the road. “Morning!” she said. “Children all at home this week, I suppose?” She thought the woman looked even more harassed than usual, poor thing.
    “Well, the twins and little Frankie are at home,” Paula said. “Only one missing is Jack Jr. Staying over with a friend in Tresham. Rang me this morning.”
    “That’s nice,” Josie said. “He’s quite a big lad, your Jack. I expect he misses living in town with all his friends.”
    Paula nodded. “I worry about him, though,” she said. “I’ve got no idea who his friends are, or where they live. If anything happened . . .” She trailed off, and took a packet of biscuits off the shelf. “Better get back,” she said. “I left the twins minding Frankie. Not legal, I know, but I can see the house from here.”
    Josie handed over her change and frowned. “You can always give me a ring and I’ll pop over with whatever you need,” she said.
    “Thanks,” Paula said. She started towards the door, then stopped and turned back. “You don’t know anybody wanting cleaning done, do you? I’ve got to get some extra money, what with Jack Sr. not contributing. He’s disappeared off the face of the earth.”
    “Oh, my goodness,” Josie said. “But how would you manage with the baby still so young?”
    “I was told the local nursery would take him two days a week. I’d get help from Social Services for that. Then with the twins staying for dinner at school, I could do quite a few hours. Anyway, if you hear of anybody . . .” She looked anxiously at her house over the road and began to open the door.
    “Just a minute,” Josie said quickly. “My mum might be able to help. She runs New Brooms, the cleaning business. Shall I ask her?”
    Paula’s face cleared. “Could you? It’d be ever so good of you. I’m a good worker, you can tell her. Got references, an’ all. Paula Hickson’s the name. Better get back, an’ thanks.” She ran across the road and into her house. As she opened the door, Josie could hear screams, and hoped the twins hadn’t thumped the baby.
    Were children really such a good idea? Josie was well aware she had a pleasant, well-organised life, devoted to her shop and able to manage her own time as she liked. Matthew was certainly more attentive than ever, and she had the feeling that any minute now the question might be popped. Well, perhaps it would be best to give Mum a ring about a