Somebody Stop Ivy Pocket by Caleb Krisp

Author:Caleb Krisp [Krisp, Caleb]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781408858684
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2016-03-22T04:00:00+00:00

Mrs Dickens was attacking the drawing room rug with great enthusiasm when I entered the back garden.

I picked up a paddle from the chair and joined her by the almond tree. The housekeeper stopped beating the carpet for a moment and wiped her damp brow. ‘Where have you been, lass?’

‘Here and there,’ I said. ‘Let me help.’

I drew back my arm and began thrashing the carpet as if it were a wayward son who had just lost the family estate, and quite possibly his pants, in a rather thrilling game of checkers. Between poundings, I broached the subject that was uppermost in my mind.

‘What do you know of a girl called Anastasia Radcliff?’

Mrs Dickens responded with a coughing fit. Then she said, ‘Who’s that then?’

‘You tell me, dear.’ I gave the carpet another whack or two. ‘After all, you recommended her for a job as a nurse to Sebastian Dumbleby.’

‘Did I now?’ She chuckled but I wasn’t convinced. ‘Well, as you pointed out, my mind’s not what it used to be.’

‘Stuff and nonsense. I also believe Anastasia was a lodger in this house until she and Sebastian mysteriously disappeared.’

‘What a story!’ But I could see the flicker of panic dancing in the housekeeper’s eyes. ‘Who’s been filling your head with such things?’

‘Sebastian’s sister. She’s convinced that Anastasia Radcliff was a most wicked sort of girl. A girl who killed the man she was supposed to love and then ran away, never to be seen again.’

‘That girl wouldn’t harm a fly!’ declared Mrs Dickens with great force. ‘She loved Sebastian more than her own life and he felt the same way.’

I wanted to kiss the chunky fool. How easily I had outwitted her. ‘I thought you had never heard of Anastasia Radcliff?’

Mrs Dickens looked crestfallen. ‘It was a long time ago,’ she said, wiping her brow again and taking a seat. ‘What you are asking goes awful deep and way back. Some things are beyond understanding … I don’t reckon I understand them myself.’

‘Perhaps I should speak to Mother Snagsby about it,’ I said next.

The housekeeper leapt up. ‘You mustn’t.’

‘Why? Why mustn’t I?’ Something urgent, a deep kind of unease, had stirred inside me. I couldn’t explain it, as this little drama had nothing to do with me, but it was there. ‘Who was Anastasia Radcliff, Mrs Dickens? And why are you so terrified to talk about her?’

‘Perhaps I can enlighten you,’ came a voice from behind us.

‘Lord have mercy,’ muttered Mrs Dickens.

Mother Snagsby was standing by the back gate, a stone’s throw from the almond tree. She had her eyes trained on me. They were cold but calm.

‘It seems you are searching for answers – I believe I can be of assistance.’ She swept past us and headed towards the house. ‘Please join me in my office.’

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