The Woman Died Thrice by Evelyn James

Author:Evelyn James [James, Evelyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Red Raven Publications
Published: 2016-10-31T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

The tour party turned their attention to the afternoon’s excursion. The driver bustled them back aboard the charabanc just on eleven o’clock in the morning, tapping at his watch and clearly concerned that their diversion might take a considerable length of time. He even risked taking the charabanc to 30mph on the long stretches to get them there sooner.

The passengers were less concerned. They had been supplied with ample lunches in individual baskets and contented themselves on enjoying the contents and remarking on the fine nature of the weather. Once lunch was consumed and there was a risk of boredom setting in, the conductor stood up and, while holding on to the support pole just behind the driver’s seat, he regaled them with a potted history of Furness Abbey.

“While it may be somewhat out of our way, the abbey is worth our attention as one of the great ancient monuments of Britain,” he stated, swaying to the left as the charabanc took a corner. “Furness was established as a monastery in 1123 and passed to the Cistercians in 1147. The ruins are made of sandstone and largely date from the original construction in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. It became one of the richest monasteries in the country, but was sadly destroyed during Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries.

“For those of you partial to folklore, there are legends of a tunnel under the abbey which hides both the Holy Grail and the lost jewels of King John. And, if you are of a sensitive nature, do mind the sandstone arch near the abbey tavern, where the ghost of a headless monk on horseback is said to appear.”

The party gave a suitable chuckle of derision at this conclusion to the otherwise factual history. But the brief talk had served its purpose and gave the passengers something to think about and discuss for the remainder of the journey.

Clara had not sat next to Miss Smythe again. The woman seemed to be positively avoiding her and had wedged herself beside Mrs Crimp. Clara found she was restored to her friends and sat on the long bench at the back of the charabanc next to Annie and Tommy. Annie asked after Clara’s drawing, and Clara produced the book and the half completed image.

“Miss Plante distracted me,” Clara said to excuse her unfinished composition. “She is very curious about this matter.”

“Aren’t we all?” Tommy noted. “There must be an inquest soon. You and Annie will have to give evidence.”

“Oh, tosh!” Annie declared stoutly, being actually utterly appalled by the idea of standing up before a host of strangers and talking. “They won’t need that for a drowning, will they?”

“All unexplained deaths are put before an inquest to determine, by jury, the cause, or whether further measures must be taken,” Clara broke the news to her gently.

Annie pulled a face.

“I shan’t be going to it, in any case,” Annie muttered.

“I’m afraid, old love, you won’t have a choice,” Tommy squeezed her hand and tried to soften the blow.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.