Death Comes to Marlow by Robert Thorogood

Author:Robert Thorogood [Thorogood, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
Published: 2022-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

The following morning, Judith rang Becks and asked to meet her at the skatepark at 10 a.m. Judith didn’t phone Suzie, as she decided instead to drop in on her and ask in person. This was because, following her visit to Marlow FM, she wanted to talk to Suzie about her radio career. As far as Judith was concerned, anyone who was that good at their job deserved to be doing it full time – even if it ended up making Suzie more famous, which Judith still believed could prove too heady a brew for her friend.

When she arrived on her bike, Judith was shocked to discover that the front of Suzie’s house was still mostly a building site of scaffolding and ripped tarpaulin. She hadn’t visited her friend since the summer before, but she’d presumed she’d finished her building work.

‘What are you doing here?’ Suzie asked as she opened her front door.

‘Just thought I’d pop round. Can I come in?’

Suzie went back inside, leaving the door open. Judith followed her friend into a linoleum-floored hallway and was met with slobbering joy by Emma.

‘Who’s a good girl!’ Judith said, rubbing Emma’s ears affectionately.

Once they’d agreed that Emma was looking particularly well, and Judith had turned down the offer of a cup of tea, she decided to get down to business.

‘Now, first I need your help with a bit of a mystery. It’s got me flummoxed. Are you free to come to the skatepark with me for 10 a.m.?’

‘Sure. As long as whatever we’re doing is finished in time for my show.’

‘Don’t worry, it should be. But talking about your show, it’s why I wanted to see you.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I saw yesterday how brilliant you are. The way you pushed and pulled all those buttons and levers while talking to people – it’s not something I’d ever be able to do. You have a real rapport with your audience. And I know how important the station is to the local community. The way you chatted to the people who rang in made that as clear as day.’

‘You really think so?’ Suzie said, bursting with pride.

‘But I also know you’re turning down dog-sitting work to do it.’

‘I’m not.’

‘You are.’

‘I’m not.’

‘You literally told me you were.’

‘I did?’

‘When we were up by Hurley Lock.’

‘Oh that’s right, I did. Bit of a give-away. But it’s not a biggie, it’s only in the mornings I can’t look after any dogs. I have to prepare for the show.’

‘Of course. But I was wondering, is there any way you could get paid for your radio work to make up for the dog-sitting work you’re turning down?’

‘That’s not possible. We’re all volunteers.’

‘Then how about you get work at another station? One that pays.’

‘Why would I want to work at a different station? Marlow FM’s where I want to be.’

‘But what are you doing for money?’

‘You think I’m short of money?’ Suzie said, offended.

‘Suzie, the front of your house is still missing.’

As it happened, since she’d cut back on her dog-walking business, Suzie’s bank accounts had indeed all slipped into the red.

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