The Body at Rookery Barn by Kate Hardy

Author:Kate Hardy [Hardy, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781805080831
Published: 2023-10-23T16:00:00+00:00

The college porter – a burly man in his thirties dressed formally in a dark suit, white shirt and college tie – glanced up as Sybbie and Jodie walked into the reception area. ‘Good morning,’ he said cheerfully. ‘Can I help you?’

‘We’d like to take a look around the college, please,’ Sybbie said.

‘Do you have an appointment?’ Though he smiled to make it clear he was asking to be helpful rather than obstructive.

‘No,’ Sybbie said. ‘But we were having a look round the city, and thought we’d drop in on the off-chance. My goddaughter was thinking of applying here in September, you see,’ she said, indicating Jodie, who’d hung back.

‘We’re always happy to let prospective students look round the grounds, outside exam season,’ the porter said, ‘and we have a self-guided tour. We only ask that you keep your voices down, because people will be working and studying, even though teaching doesn’t officially start until tomorrow.’

‘Of course – with finals coming up,’ Sybbie said with a smile. ‘But we were hoping we might be able to have just a tiny peek into the college library.’

‘I’m afraid we don’t allow access to the buildings,’ the porter said, shaking his head regretfully.

‘How terribly disappointing.’ Sybbie gave a heartfelt sigh.

‘There are some student-led tours – they’re usually booked up well in advance, but I can see if anyone’s dropped out of today’s, if you like.’

‘That would be lovely,’ Sybbie said.

The porter checked his computer. ‘I’m sorry. It looks like they’re all full.’

‘There’s no chance you can just squeeze the two of us in?’ Sybbie asked. ‘Jojo was terribly keen to come here – St Bene’t’s has such an amazing reputation for classics. Dr Garnett’s your main teacher here, isn’t he?’ She crossed her fingers that the police hadn’t yet been in touch with the college, or at least hadn’t spoken to the porter.

An expression of dislike flickered across the porter’s face, quickly hidden. ‘Yes.’

‘Oh. Is he a bit… difficult?’ Sybbie asked.

‘He was an academic,’ the porter said.

Meaning, Sybbie guessed, that Garnett ignored anyone at the college who didn’t teach or wasn’t a student. He’d been the sort who’d snap his fingers at someone in the college buttery; and no doubt he treated the porters as if they were a lower form of life instead of being the people who were the first contact point for visitors, acting as the face of the college. ‘Thank you for the warning,’ she said. ‘If we could do the self-guided tour, then that would be wonderful. Is there anything in particular we should look out for?’

‘This time of year, definitely check out the Fellows’ Garden. It’s full of gorgeous spring flowers,’ the porter said. ‘If you wanted to see where Garnett’s rooms are – where your goddaughter might have tutorials – they’re in Middle Court.’ He gave her a laminated card. ‘If you could let us have this back, when you’ve had your look-round?’

‘We will. Thank you.’ Sybbie smiled. ‘And if you could recommend somewhere nearby with good coffee, I’d be very grateful.

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