The Edge of the Fall by Kate Williams

Author:Kate Williams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pegasus Books

TWENTY-ONE

London, May 1920

Louisa

‘I think we should call the police.’ Mrs Merling drew herself up to her full height.

Lucy, Mrs Merling and Louisa were in Mrs Merling’s blue-papered parlour. Louisa had cried so much that there were no more tears. She slept and had woken to Mrs Merling shaking her and demanding to know who was sending her cruel things. That morning a letter had been delivered for Louisa and Mrs Merling had opened it. It was a drawing of a fish, spiky, jagged pen lines. She’d asked Jamieson who had delivered it – just a messenger boy – and then he had confessed the truth about the fish, the spots of blood on the carpet. ‘I have no idea who sent it to me!’ Louisa had tried to sit up. Petra, annoyed by the noise, jumped off the bed, complaining. ‘Jamieson just brought it in.’

Mrs Merling had gazed at her. ‘But who could have sent it? I shall write to Mr Merling immediately. And we must speak to Mr Witt. We will discuss this in the parlour.’

Louisa had crouched down, held Petra to her heart. She heard doors banging. Mary came in to dress her. She shuffled out to the parlour, holding Petra, her heart heavy.

Arthur was already there, his hair even more slicked-back than normal. Mrs Merling talked on about the police and how criminals were brazen these days. ‘I cannot have this happening under my roof!’

Arthur sighed. ‘It’s little more than malicious prank-playing, I expect.’

‘We should call the police!’

‘I shouldn’t think that necessary. One fish sent through the post and a single drawing on a letter? I doubt there is anything much they can do with that. I imagine they’ll say it is a prank. Which I expect it is. Might have been sent to anyone in London.’

Mrs Merling turned to Louisa. ‘Do you know who is doing this?’

She shook her head. ‘Someone who hates me.’ What about Jennifer Redesdale? she wanted to say. Frederick would know.

‘Oh, come now,’ said Arthur. ‘Just pranks. I imagine it will fade away. Now, Mrs Merling, we are very grateful for your concern. But my cousin’s welfare is my responsibility and she is quite safe here. If you feel she is not, then perhaps I should reconsider her position.’

Mrs Merling swallowed, shook her head. ‘I see, Mr Witt. Of course, Miss Deerhurst is quite safe here. I agree, there is nothing to worry about.’

Arthur rose. ‘Quite so. Now, I would like to converse with my cousin alone. I can see she’s been shaken by this.’

‘Oh, of course.’ Mrs Merling bustled out of the room, Lucy behind her. Louisa gazed at the door. She turned, looked at Arthur as he stood and walked to the window.

‘I don’t understand this,’ he said. ‘I really don’t.’ He swung around. ‘Do you know? Do you know, Louisa, what has been happening here?’ Petra jumped off her lap, alarmed by the noise.

She shook her head. ‘No. I have no idea.’ She held out her hands to the cat.

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