Corpse Path Cottage by Margaret Scutt

Author:Margaret Scutt [Scutt, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781789313802
Publisher: JOFFE BOOKS crime and cosy mysteries
Published: 2020-04-05T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XIV

‘FIVE WICKS,’ SAID MRS COSSETT gloomily, ‘and what to do wi’ you all that time I do not know.’

‘If we lived in Lake—’ began Johnny, morosely giving utterance to his theme song.

‘Well, we don’t, so for God’s sake stop kippin’ on about it,’ snapped his mother. She spoke with unwonted asperity, for, dearly as she loved her son, to have him under her feet for the five weeks of the summer holiday was a severe test of her devotion. Johnny absent during the day made the heart grow fonder than Johnny on the spot — or than Johnny released from school and wandering free to find the mischief ever present for his idle hands to do.

‘What school teachers want wi’ these ’ere dratted long hollerdays beats me,’ said Mrs Cossett, peevishly voicing the classic grievance of those who do not teach. ‘Taint as if they worked — not to call it work — while they be in school. And for how long? Five hours a day! — and that’s what we pay rates for.’

Johnny remained unmoved. He had no desire to take up the cudgels on behalf of his pastors and masters, but on the other hand he did not himself feel that a holiday of five weeks was a day too long. The holiday itself might not be all enjoyment, but its close meant a return to school, and this he anticipated without enthusiasm.

‘Be you going to Miss Marlowe?’ he asked.

‘Course I be. ’Tis Thursday, bain’t it?’

‘Ah.’ A gleam of pleasure lit Johnny’s ruffianly countenance. ‘Gimme sixpence.’

‘What for?’

‘Ice cream,’ replied her son briefly.

Mrs Cossett opened her purse and found the sum required.

Johnny dispensed with thanks, placed it in his pocket, and lurched towards the door.

‘And where do you think you’re going?’ demanded Mrs Cossett. ‘Ice cream van won’t be ’ere, not afore eleven. Taint no more than ten to nine now.’

‘I know that, don’t I? So what? I’m going round to Ken Marsh. Maybe,’ said Johnny, sneering, ‘him an’ me can do somethin’ to liven up this joint.’

‘Don’t you get up to no nonsense,’ said his mother warningly, ‘else yer dad will leather the lights out o’ you.’

‘Oh yeah? Him an’ who else?’

The door closed behind him. Mrs Cossett shook her head.

‘Five wicks!’ she murmured.

Putting on her coat, she set off for Killarney and her morning’s work.

* * *

Johnny proceeded through the serene streets of the joint he proposed to enliven. At the bus stop on the corner, two figures were waiting, those of Jimmy Fairfax and his housekeeper. The housekeeper was carrying a small case and wore a black coat and hat. Mr Fairfax was in his everyday clothes, topped by a greasy and aged cap. As Johnny came up, the bus, punctual to the minute, arrived. He observed Mrs Shergold and her case board the vehicle, leaving Mr Fairfax behind. The bus clattered away and disappeared on its journey to Lake. A moment later the figure of Mrs Hale, hot and breathless, hove into view. Mr Fairfax turned to regard her with benevolent interest as she galloped up.

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