Rivals in the City by Y. S. Lee

Author:Y. S. Lee [Lee, Y. S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781406337624
Google: pB1TngEACAAJ
Publisher: Walker Books, Limited
Published: 2014-06-14T16:00:00+00:00

Twelve

One of the few things that seemed clear to Mary was what to do next. After waiting for the hackney to set off, the driver still scowling and muttering about his lost fare, she turned towards St John’s Wood. It was near the supper hour by the time she arrived, and for once she was glad for the delay in her report to Anne. She changed her mud-spattered dress, washed her face and hands and joined the school body for the simple meal: a thick vegetable soup, bread and butter and a wedge of aged Cheddar, intensely salty with its undertone of sweet cream. It was good medicine for the frustration and anxiety that dogged her, and she noticed its similar restorative effect upon Angelica’s thin, tired face at the far end of the long teacher’s table. By the time Mary knocked on Anne’s study door, she was able to present a composed report on her day’s observations.

Anne, as was her habit, listened in perfect silence. When Mary had concluded, Anne rose, stirred the fire and balanced two fresh logs atop the bright embers. “If I understand you correctly,” she said, “there are four main points of attention here. The first is that Angelica has, in fact, been in contact with Mrs Thorold at various points over the past two years. We only have Angelica’s description of the tenor of their relationship, but it is worth considering the possibility that they are working in partnership, and may have been for some time.

“The second point is Angelica’s interest in the British Museum. Was her decision to take you to the museum purely sentimental? Childhood memories of her father, and all that? Or had she an ulterior motive in drawing your attention towards it? If she is, indeed, working in tandem with her mother, her intention would be to divert attention from their planned crime. While we must continue to consider all possibilities, I think it is reasonable to presume either that her visit to the museum was coincidental or else a deliberate attempt to lead us astray. The destination of this afternoon’s hackney carriage intensifies that likelihood.

“The third matter is your definitive – that is not too strong a word? – identification of Mrs Thorold, however brief. It would be much better to know her approximate location, of course, but you did your best.” Mary flinched inwardly at this implied criticism but managed to maintain her external composure. “We must now proceed with the knowledge that she is in town, and active. I hope the police will increase their efforts to locate her as a result of your identification.

“We now come to the fourth point: the Bank of England, and Mrs Thorold’s presence there. Are you inclined to consider it another attempt to confuse and distract?”

Mary shook her head. “If I had followed her into the City, then certainly. But I noticed Mrs Thorold entirely by coincidence and she was in the company of a gentleman who returned to the Bank after seeing her off.

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