Lois shook her head. "A tramp, maybe? We've got no gypsies to blame this time, have we? No, I should think it's a cunning old tramp. That's how they survive, though there's not many around now. Welfare State, an' all that."

Cowgill stood up. "Well, thanks, Lois. Can't say you've been a great help, but thanks anyway. We shall be around the village for a while, calling on parents who have children at the Tresham school. We don't want to spread alarm, but it could be serious. We have a list of these children, but if you think of anything that might help, you know how to findme ."

"Before you go, and speaking of being a great help," Lois said acidly, "is there anything new on the corpse in the ca.n.a.l?"

"Oh, yes," said Chris. "He was one of the homeless lot, mostly drunk on anything he could get. Nothing to do with any of our investigations. His brother turned up finally and identified him. At least he'll get a decent burial.

"Well, thanks for letting me know, Inspector," snapped Lois.

Sod it, thought Lois, after they'd gone. Now she had to move quickly, to find Paula before they did. She looked at her watch. Paula would be at the hall now, and there'd be n.o.body at home in the Hickson house.

"Mum! Something's come up, and I have to go out. Shan't be long. If Floss gets here before I'm back, ask her to wait. Thanks."

Gran tut-tutted. Lois would never change. Good thing she had an iron stomach, always rushing hither and thither, not giving herself time to digest. There'd been a pile of biscuits on the tray of coffee she'd taken in, and now the plate was empty.

"Take care!" she shouted to the retreating New Brooms van, and reflected that she might just as well save her breath.

AS SHE DROVE INTO THE STABLE YARD, LOIS SAW A FAMILIAR FIGURE disappearing into the kitchen garden. Tall, thin, but a lot smartened up from when she saw him last, holed up in a derelict cottage in a rainstorm. She wondered how Paula was coping with this situation, and was even more determined to soften the impact of the visiting police investigators if she could.

Mrs. T-J was in the kitchen and answered the door. "Mrs. Hickson? Yes, she's here. Working upstairs," she added, with emphasis on "working."

"I wondered if I could have a quick word with her," Lois said firmly. "It is urgent, otherwise I wouldn't bother you." At that moment Paula came into the kitchen, carrying her cleaning things.

"Excuse me," she said. "I'll just get a fresh floor cloth. Sorry to interrupt."

"It's you Mrs. Meade has come to see," Mrs. T-J said crossly. "I'll leave you together, but I'm expecting the police soon. We've had a theft from our storeroom. Perhaps you could tell me when you go, Mrs. Meade."

"Old bag," whispered Paula, then apologised. "Is it about Jack, husband Jack?" she said. "He's here now, in the garden, if you want a word. I don't have anything to do with him, but he tries to sweeten me up. It's probably him what took the food."

Lois shook her head. "No," she said, "it's about Jack Jr."

Paula groaned. "Oh, no, not in trouble again. I tell you honestly, Mrs. M, I don't know what to do with that boy. What's he done this time?"

Lois explained as briefly as she could about the man at the school gates, and said she knew young Jack was scared. She told Paula about Hazel giving him a lift, and then said the police were in the village, following up complaints from other parents, as well as investigating the theft. "They'll have Jack Jr.'s name on a list of children in Farnden who go to that school, so they'll be wanting to talk to you. I hoped to give you time to think before they found you. You may have to tell them about your husband an' that."

"Oh, my G.o.d," said Paula. "So there is somebody pushing drugs. That's the last thing my son Jack needs. Poor kid. It's all that sodding gardener out there's fault! Maybe I'll put them on to him."

"You'd better get back to work now. But think carefully, Paula. I shouldn't be telling you to keep things from the police, but your first concern is young Jack, isn't it? I'm off now, but keep me posted. Bye."

After she had called to Mrs T-J that she was leaving, she drove off out of the stable yard and saw Jack Hickson standing by the gate, staring at her. It was not a friendly stare.

LOIS FOUND FLOSS WAITING FOR HER WHEN SHE GOT BACK. "SORRY I'm late," she said. "Had to have a quick word with Paula."

"That's fine," Floss said. "I've got a couple of hours before I go over to Fletching. Nothing bad happened, I hope? Mrs. Weedon said you'd had to rush out unexpectedly. I saw the police in the High Street, outside the shop. I wondered if anything had happened to Josie."

Lois shook her head. "Probably quizzing her," she said grimly. "Village shopkeeper knows everything. You know the kind of thing. It's about the school in Tresham. There's been a dealer trying to sell to the kids, apparently. Parents have complained, and the police are going around talking to families who have kids at the school."

Floss looked at her sharply. "Hicksons?" she said. "Hazel told me about giving Jack Jr. a lift, and him telling her how he was scared of this man."

"Right," said Lois. "Well, that saves me telling you. Yes, Jack's been approached. But I wasn't sure that his mother knew, and I had to get to her before the police."

Floss nodded sympathetically. "Poor old Paula. She's got more than enough on her plate, without a kid on drugs," she said. "Did you find her?"

"Yes. I only hope she has time to think things out before the police catch up with her."

"Why shouldn't she tell them straight that she knew nothing about it? After all, she's got nothing to hide."

Lois took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then she brushed a hand over her eyes wearily. "She suspected. But no, that's right," she said, "she's got nothing to hide."

IT WAS AFTER TWO O'CLOCK WHEN COWGILL AND CHRIS FINALLY caught up with Paula Hickson. She had had an hour to herself before collecting little Frankie from nursery, and then the twins from school, and had been frantically turning over in her mind what Mrs. M had told her. She wouldn't admit it to anyone, but she had suspected for a while that Jack Jr. had been experimenting with something. Once or twice he had been very shaky in the mornings and had cried off school, saying he felt sick. His violent mood swings were suspicious, too.

She remembered sadly what a nice little boy he had been before all the trouble with his father. A real charmer, people had said. She had taken him as a baby back to the development company where she'd worked to show him off to her friends, and the Dutch boss had come in and been so nice about him. Quite soppy, he had been. Funny, she thought now, she could have sworn she saw him staring at the village hall from his car the other day. It was probably someone else, but he'd smiled at her in that rather smarmy way the girls had reason to mistrust.

She dragged her thoughts back to Jack Jr. What should she tell the police? She lit a forbidden cigarette and stood out in the garden, staring out at the road as if she could will the police to pa.s.s her by.

So who was trying to persuade children to take drugs? And why hadn't the police taken him off the streets? She supposed those kids who knew only too well why he was hanging about were probably hooked already, and would be too scared to tell on him. But now parents had banded together and called in the police.

The chances were they would not ask her about her husband. Why should they? As far as she knew, Jack Sr. had not been in trouble with the law. There had been that sc.r.a.p with his workmate. Well, it had been more than a sc.r.a.p, apparently. She'd been told he had had to go to hospital and they found a broken rib. But again, she had not heard that Jack had been reported.

She saw a car cruising slowly along the street, with a man and woman peering out from side to side. Police, for sure. She stubbed out her cigarette under her shoe and returned rapidly to the house. She knew now what she would say to them. Nothing much. There would be no point. They were sure to find out who the dealer was from one of the other parents, and the police would make sure the man was put away, well away from corrupting innocent children. If she told them of her suspicions about Jack Jr., they would question him, and however gentle they were, and with her alongside, it still might tip the poor kid over the edge. No, she would be vague and willing, but not much help. That would be best. After all, Mrs. M had more or less advised her to do this.

THIRTY-THREE.

GAVIN ADSTONE HAD RECEIVED A CALL TO HIS MOBILE AS HE walked to his car. The signal wasn't very good, but Tim Froot's guttural voice was unmistakeable.

"I'll give you until tomorrow to tell me your plan," he said. "No more mucking about, Gavin. I need to have a positive plan of action. You have a meeting tonight. Well, that should concentrate your mind. Either you convince me that your shack will be demolished and a builder-this builder-given a contract to develop, or our deal is off. No more time allowed. Pay me back, or else. I have a couple of ideas how to guarantee you'll find the money. Did Kate tell you I called? Good."

Tim Froot had signed off, giving Gavin no time to reply, no time to prevaricate, no time to tell the monster that if he touched his wife, or even threatened her, he would kill him.

Gavin had had a plan for the village hall, in the beginning. Invited on to the parish council soap box subcommittee, he had seen his chance. He would scupper their feeble efforts at fund-raising, ostensibly helping but actually making sure it would be a dismal failure. As things were going, it would not be difficult. He was pretty sure that if he told the police about the many ways the grand prix would flout regulations, the parish council would be loaded down with so many safety measures that whatever profit there was would be eaten up in putting them into place. A total loss from what was intended to be the big event, the grand fund-raiser, should dishearten the parish council sufficiently for the demolish-and-rebuild lobby to triumph. Grants would be forthcoming, especially if there was emphasis on the hall as a sporting facility. And, of course, Froot was known to be adept at securing contracts from local authorities, promising extra facilities alongside his rows of new houses.

So then Gavin would be in the clear and Kate would be safe. They would pay back the loan in installments, and have nothing to do with the monster in future. This, then, was his original plan. But now things were different, Gavin said to himself as he plodded down the road to the village hall for tonight's meeting. For one thing, he was rapidly coming to the conclusion that he couldn't sabotage the grand prix. How could he face Tony Dibson and his nice, brave wife? And good old Derek, wise and patient. He had been a good choice for chairman, and Gavin was beginning to see his worth, and respect it. Then there were Hazel and Floss, both of whom had been so nice to Kate. John Thornbull, a bluff farmer with his head firmly screwed on, who had clearly not liked the look of Gavin but was giving him a chance. No, he couldn't do it.

"Evenin', Gavin," Tony said, as they met at the door of the hall. "How's your Kate? And that lovely Cecilia? She's made quite a conquest of my Irene. Dear little soul doesn't seem a bit scared of the wheelchair, like some of the bigger kids."

"Ready to start?" Derek called from inside the hall. Gavin and Tony were the last to arrive, and hurried to their seats. "Shall we have the minutes of the last meeting?" Derek said.

"Apologiesfirst," Hazel said. "Anybody not here?" She looked around. "Father Rodney is missing. Anybody seen him?"

n.o.body had, though John Thornbull said the vicar had made his usual lightning visit to the pub last evening. "We tried to get him to play dominoes, but he wouldn't. Looked a bit tempted though, so we shall try again. I'm pretty sure he said he'd be here tonight."

"May have been delayed," Derek said. "We'll make a start, Hazel."

They listened to the minutes, then had a progress report from committee members. There was some hilarity on hearing that Mrs. T-J would be driving a jar of jam. Derek protested that they shouldn't mock too much. "That woman could be a fiend at the wheel," he said. "And if any of you men have seen the WI in action at the Albert Hall for their AGM, well! Remember how they cut the PM down to size? The famous charm failed completely. Never underestimate a group of women, that's what a lifetime married to my Lois and her mother has taught me!"

There was a murmur of agreement from the men, and sympathetic looks for Derek.

"I still say the old trout will end up in the ditch," Tony Dibson said, chuckling. "It'll be a big moment for the whole village."

"So how's the Youth Club entry getting on?" Derek asked Floss.

"John knows more about that than me," Floss said. "He's deeply involved now. Got the kids really going. Including the newcomer, Jack Hickson Jr. He's a bit of loner, and we're really glad he's joined. Clever, too. Apparently his father could turn his hand to anything."

"Is the father dead?" Tony said bluntly.

Floss shook her head. "Left the family. Not been seen since, so Mrs. Hickson is bringing up the kids on her own. She's working for New Brooms, as Hazel knows."

"I knew a chap called Hickson," Tony said slowly. "Nice bloke. Worked for the Parks and Gardens Department in the town where my brother lives. He was a friend of my nephew. Met him once or twice. I don't suppose it's the same man."

Derek felt they were getting off the main subject, and asked Gavin how he was doing with entries and publicity. "Low-key publicity, Gavin. You've remembered that, I hope," he said.

"I'm thinking in terms of it being a village event," Gavin replied. "Spreading the net no wider than surrounding villages. The way the entries are coming in, we shall have to close the list soon, anyway!"

"How long to go?" said Tony Dibson, counting on his fingers. "There's one, two, three full weeks, then it's the following Sat.u.r.day. Most of the course is planned anyway."

"I've got the straw bales ready on a trailer," John said. "And the ramp is done. Gavin's getting the races sorted out. Four soap boxes at a time, we reckon, will be safe enough. Then we'll have the final."

"We need somebody to check the vehicles at the start," Derek said. "I can do that, if you like. The main thing is to make sure they've all got brakes, and the wheels are secure. That should cover it."

"There's some real work being done with the entries," Gavin said. "I've seen lights burning late in several garages round the villages! I reckon it's going to be a lot of fun."

"How's the rest of it coming along?" Derek said.

Hazel looked at her notes. "We've got a lot going on in the playing field," she said. "The big marquee is full now. Craft stalls, gardening and plants, homemade cakes and stuff, rugs and harness for ponies, and lots more. The school has got a stall, showing the extension they're planning, and we've got a nice display of work to be done on the Shed, with a mock-up of how it will look when it's finished. Oh yes, and the school is happy to select the soap box queen. Not necessarily the prettiest, said the head, but the one who is all-round hardest worker."

"Sounds good," said Derek. "I can tell you a bit more about Jam & Jerusalem. That's what they're calling the WI entry. They're planning to have a player blasting out *Jerusalem' as Mrs. T-J goes first past the post."

"I hope somebody's filming it," said Gavin. "I could get my mother-in-law to come over and look after Cecilia, then Kate can have our cine-camera and make a film record. What d'you think?"

"Wonderful," said John. "Good lad, Gavin."

The door opened, and Father Rodney rushed in looking fl.u.s.tered. "So sorry, everybody! I was called away to give the last rites. Poor soul in the nursing home over at Waltonby. At least, they all thought she was a poor soul, but when I got there she was sitting up in bed drinking brandy and insulting the nurses. Dear me, I should have been pleased for her, but all I could think was that I was about to call on the Almighty for nothing. Still, I am sure he's all forgiving."

"As we are," said Derek. "Sit down, Vicar. Hazel will fill you in quickly with what's been decided. I'm glad to say everything's going brilliantly, and all we shall need the Almighty for is to send us a fine day."

"I shall do my best to intercede," said Father Rodney, and smiled benignly round the rest.

"That'll be a big help," muttered Tony.

"Ssh!" said Floss, who was sitting next to him. "He's doing his best."

Tony grunted. His Irene was still a devout believer, but sometimes, his heart breaking as he watched her struggling to get into her clothes without bothering him, he had begun to doubt. But then he put it to the back of his mind. No point in wondering why, he had decided that long ago.

"Well, if there's no other business, I shall close the meeting for tonight."

"And reopen it in the pub, shall we?" said Gavin.

"That's my boy," said Tony Dibson.

THIRTY-FOUR.

GRAN SAT AT THE KITCHEN TABLE, WATCHING THE GOLD-FINCHES sitting neatly on the feeder in the garden, scarlet, black and white flashing brightly now as they flew away, startled by a large pigeon landing on the gra.s.s.

They don't look British, she thought, more like something escaped from an exotic aviary. Now a group of chattering, quarrelling sparrows flew in. That was more like it! A football crowd at a big match. She laughed aloud and got up, taking her empty mug to the sink. Lois and Derek had both gone out, and she had a free morning for once. She looked again out of the window. It was a beautiful morning, and Jeems was standing by the door, looking hopefully at her lead.

"Right, dog," she said. "We'll go for a healthy walk. Up to the hall and back over the meadows. Will that do?" Jeems's tail wagged ferociously, and in a couple of minutes they were off, heading along the road towards the hall.

Only two cars pa.s.sed her, causing her to jump on to the verge, dragging Jeems up after her. For some reason, the dog hated walking on the verge, preferring the middle of the tarmac road. Lois said it was good for her claws. It saves having them cut at the vets, she'd said. The second car had been Paula Hickson's old banger, and she saw it turn up the long drive to the hall. The woman was a good worker, so Lois reported. But Gran had overheard one or two conversations, and had come to the conclusion that the children were suffering from lack of a father. Certainly the eldest, young Jack, was not right, not right at all. There was trouble there, Gran was certain.

As she approached the big, wrought iron gates, operated automatically, she saw at the far end of the drive a figure on a bicycle. She stopped, pretending to adjust Jeems's lead. It was a man, and he was going at quite a speed. Gran wondered if the gates would open up to a bicycle.

They didn't, and the man dismounted, hauled his bike round the edge of the gates, and came towards her. He was neatly dressed in gardener's overalls, and smiled at her. She thought he had a nice face, but reckoned he was too thin to be doing hard physical work. Didn't look well. His hand, as he bent down to stroke Jeems, was bony and she could see the blue veins standing out.

His voice was cheerful as he wished her a good morning. "Just the morning for a walk," he said. "And a nice little dog to keep you company. I might get myself a dog. What make is she?"

"Cairn crossed with farm terrier," Gran said. "My son-in-law got her for my daughter. She's thoroughly spoiled," she added. "That's what happens when children grow up. The parents get a dog instead. We all need something small to love, don't we?" What am I rattling on about? she thought, and then was horrified to see the man wipe his eyes. For G.o.d's sake, what had she said?

"I must get on," the man said. "Just going to the shop to get a sandwich for my break."

"I should've thought your wife would make you a sandwich," Gran said sourly. Another of these working wives too busy to look after their husbands properly.

"Ah, if only," said the man, and, mounting his bicycle, he rode off towards the village.

Gran walked on, past the farm where the farmer's wife had started a small herd of llamas. More foreigners, thought Gran. They don't look right in our fields, silly fluffy things. What's wrong with sheep, anyway, if you want good wool for knitting? She'd seen some alpaca wool garments in the new fancy shop over at Waltonby. The farmer there had developed his old barns, now too small for huge modern machinery, into retail units, and one of them had this fine, hairy wool. Gran had looked at the price tickets and nearly exploded in front of a party of visiting tourists.

"Just as well we can still buy proper lamb's wool at a decent price," she said to Jeems, and added that even so, it would probably vanish from the shops soon, since no young folk these days knew how to knit.

She had taken off Jeems's lead, as the road was quiet and the dog would come to heel obediently. At least, she usually did, but when a rabbit shot across the road and through the hedge into a field, Jeems followed. Gran called until she was hoa.r.s.e, but with no response.

d.a.m.n! Just when she was enjoying the morning, this had to happen. Gran walked on until she came to a gate into the field, opened it and looked around. No sign of Jeems. At the far side of the field, the woods began, and if she had followed the rabbit in there, it would be impossible to find her. Lois would never forgive her!

Gran stepped out across the gra.s.s, fortunately grazed close by cattle, who were still in the field. Hoping there wasn't a bull amongst them, she took the quickest route and reached a ditch dividing the wood from the field. Finding a rotten-looking plank stretching across the ditch, she stepped gingerly on to it and was quickly inside the trees, thanking her lucky stars she had found the footpath that led back to the village.

"Jeems! Jeems!" she yelled, but her voice had nearly given out, and she hoped to see the little white dog somewhere in the murky darkness of the trees. It was very quiet, until a sudden squawk from a frightened blackbird caused her to stop and look carefully into the undergrowth. There she was! Almost disguised by the surrounding thicket, Jeems's wagging tail showed up clearly. Gran forced her way through, scratching her hands and legs and cursing all dogs, until she could grab the tail and haul Jeems out of the rabbit hole.

"Come here, you little devil!" she said, and stood still to catch her breath. Then she peered more closely across the thicket. What was that over there? "Looks like a poachers' lair," she said to Jeems, and began to work her way towards it.