Threats at Three by Ann Purser Read Free Book Online Page A

job for Paula and let true love take its bumpy course.
     
     
    LOIS WAS IN HER OFFICE WHEN JOSIE PHONED. GRAN HAD JUST brought her a cup of coffee, and she had settled down with her computer. New Brooms team would be meeting here at noon, and she had a morning’s work to do organising schedules and other admin that had piled up during the week.
    “Hello, love. All well?”
    “O’ course. Nothing earthshaking has happened since I saw you twelve hours ago. No, this is a business call. You know that woman who’s moved into Pickerings’ house? Mother with four children. Tearaway teenager, lively twins, newish baby. Needs money.”
    “Yep,” said Lois, checking her emails while she listened. She knew what was coming, anyway. “So have I got a job for her?” she said.
    “Exactly. So have you?”
    “I’ll certainly have a talk to her. She seems a nice woman, with a lot on her plate. I’ll call and see her. I presume she’s worked out some free hours?”
    “When can you go?”
    “Tomorrow afternoon? Say about two o’clock. Will that suit?”
    “Yep. I’ll slip across and tell her. It’s half term, so all the kids will be there. Still, could be a good thing. You’ll see the real Paula!”
    Lois smiled as she went back to her computer. Soft-hearted Josie! Who would’ve thought when she was a troublesome teenager that she would turn out to be a good businesswoman with a heart of gold. She was a captive audience for villagers who wanted a listening ear, and always had some words of advice or comfort, even when she was dog tired. Still, Lois thought as she returned to the week’s cleaning schedules, it was good business sense to be a cheerful, sympathetic village shopkeeper. Few people had the nerve to come in just for a chat. They almost always bought something, and although most of the village did their big weekly shop in Tresham supermarkets, if Josie had a welcoming smile and the right kind of stock, she could just about survive.
    On the dot of twelve, a knock at the door heralded Hazel Thornbull, office manager of New Brooms in Sebastapol Street, Tresham. “How’s the family?” Lois asked. Hazel had been with her a long time, and would be difficult to replace. Only one child so far, and no talk of another.
    “Fine,” Hazel said. “Has Derek told you I’ve been co-opted on to his village hall committee? I must be mad. A poisoned chalice if ever there was one.”
    “What d’you mean?” said Lois.
    “Well, you know these village committees. Most of the time spent arguing and not much achieved. There’s already a split in the ranks, with that Gavin chap trying to take over. Still, your Derek is a match for him. I’ve always thought Derek was a mild man, but apparently not!”
    “Tell me more about Gavin Adstone,” Lois said, but there was another knock, and then all the others came at once and settled down for the meeting.
    After the usual business had been dealt with, and before they got up to leave, Lois said she had something else to discuss with them. “There’s this single mum in the village,” she said, and explained about Paula Hickson. “Anybody know anything about her?”
    They shook their heads and Sheila Stratford, one of the original members of the team, asked where she came from. When Lois told her, she said she supposed she’d be one of those girls who get themselves pregnant to avoid having to work for a living. Lois explained that Paula Hickson had had a husband who had done a bunk, and that with four children she was still keen to earn some money for herself and not rely wholly on the state.
    “Anyway,” Lois added, “I’m going to see her this afternoon, but I’d be glad if you would ask around and see if there’s anything I should know. Thanks a lot. I’ll keep in touch, as usual.”
    They left chattering to each other, but Floss lagged behind. “Mrs. M,” she said. “Have you got a minute?”
    Lois pointed to a chair, and said she always had time for the