Death at St Jude’s (The Isle of Wight Killings) by Mary Grand

Author:Mary Grand [Grand, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Published: 2024-02-10T00:00:00+00:00

Early that evening, Susan started to get ready to go to choir. She was surprised at how nervous she felt. She was sure Ross was right when he said that they needed to get back to normal but was also aware of how difficult some people might find it. She collected the music folders, sorted them out and left the house.

As she approached St Jude’s, Susan was also thinking about her visit to the gym later with Jessie and knew she was quietly dreading it. She had none of the fancy outfits she knew people would be wearing. She was unfit, and was sure she’d be a few decades older than most of the people there.

Once inside the church, she sensed a subdued atmosphere. One young girl let out a loud laugh and it echoed around the church, leaving people looking irritated, so that she lowered her voice.

Over to one side she saw Ross and Hazel deep in conversation. Hazel was handing Ross a piece of paper and they continued talking. Susan was reading though her music when she heard a quiet sob that bounced off the stone walls. Glancing over at Ross and Hazel, she could see that Hazel was clearly becoming very distressed and Ross was awkwardly trying to comfort her. She then saw Fiona approach them, put her arm gently around Hazel’s shoulders. They sat together quietly while Ross prepared for the rehearsal.

Susan realised Cerys had come to sit next to her. ‘How are you? How’s the foot?’

‘Still hurting.’ Her voice was flat. There was no sparkle in her eyes.

‘Are you okay?’

‘You know how it is. School is a nightmare. I never thought I’d dread going to work⁠—’

‘It must have been difficult for everyone losing Lawrence.’

‘That’s awful, of course, but there are other things now. Has Fiona said anything to you?’

‘Well, yes⁠—’

‘So, you do know. It seems to me to be getting blown all out of proportion. It’s not like there is any proof, just some grumpy parent, and yet Fiona is taking it so seriously. I’m scared she might even think of leaving. I owe her so much. She has looked after me. I couldn’t bear to see her go.’

‘Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.’

‘I hope not. She is so together, she makes me feel safe.’ Cerys turned to Susan. ‘I saw Alice, your friend, at the nursing home. Ross and I are going to sing there some time.’

‘What a lovely thing to do. I hope you and Alice had a good chat?’

‘We did, but I talked too much. I was rabbiting on, and then I realised she was listening. She’s all there, isn’t she, even though she is so old? I can see why Jacob is so with it. Bright family.’

Susan saw Hazel approaching her. She looked very pale and anxious, her hands clenched together.

At that moment, Ross called them all together.

‘Thank you. Now, I’d better explain where we stand. I’m to remain in post for another year, after which my job will be reappraised.

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