A Good Read by John Creasey

Author:John Creasey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: House of Stratus

Chapter Thirteen

Mannering Pays a Visit

Lorna’s hand tightened on Mannering’s arm.

The dog passed the old couple, sniffed at Gloria’s knees, and then stalked towards the cyclists and squatted near them, obviously begging titbits. Mannering couldn’t keep his eyes off the dog. Lorna’s grip relaxed as Gloria looked up and recognised them.

Her eyes lighted up.

“Steady!” said Mannering, as she came hurrying towards them, “we’re just ordinary customers.”

Old White said: “If you’d like to have your supper in the cottage, sir—”

“Good idea.”

The cyclists looked at them curiously, as they went into the cottage by the back doorway. They passed through a tiny scullery-cum-wash-house, into a big white-washed kitchen which was obviously the living-room. The huge table was filled with plates of salad, bowls of tomatoes, small dishes of strawberries, and a bowl of eggs – a sight which made mockery of food shortages. A huge Welsh dresser filled one wall, and the room was stifling because the cooking range was alight, and a big iron kettle simmered over the red-hot coals.

“You’re Mr. Mannering, sir,” said old White. “My boy told us how you’re trying to help her leddyship. It’s an honour to meet you, sir.”

“It’s good of you to look after Lady Gloria,” said Mannering. He turned to Gloria: “Like the new life?”

Gloria said: “I’m hopeless, but I do try!”

“We’ve been busy this evening,” said old White. “This is the first little lull we’ve had. I didn’t want her leddyship to do this work, sir. It was her own idea, but I’m not happy about it, not happy at all.”

“It’s just right,” said Mannering.

“Of course it is,” said Gloria. Her eyes shone rather too brightly. “What can I get you, sir?”

“Now, m’lady—” mumbled old White.

“That’s enough from you,” said Mrs. White, “if it will help then we’re glad to do it. I’d like to show you Lady Gloria’s room, ma’am, it—”

“It’s charming,” said Gloria. “Lovely!”

Everything was lovely for Gloria, then; so much had come from a little hope. She would pour her whole existence into doing what Mannering wanted, and into enjoying this new sense of freedom from care.

But what if the walls of doubt imprisoned her again?

What would happen, if she were wrong? Or even if this first wild rush of confidence receded?

Mannering pushed the thought away, and wondered about the dog.

They went upstairs, inspected a tiny bedroom, its chairs, bed and windows adorned with flowered chintz, slightly faded but all matching. Gloria’s few oddments were set out on a little, kidney-shaped dressing-table. A small window overlooked the front garden, the fields on the other side of the road, and a copse which crowned a distant hill. The window could be seen from the road; Gadden’s man would be able to watch the room closely.

They went downstairs when a bell rang, announcing more customers. The dog came in, and Gloria fondled its head, then hurried out into the garden, where another party of four had arrived. Mannering and Lorna were served by the old couple, old White very fussy and on edge, his wife philosophical, a fount of common sense.

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