Serpent's Point by Kate Ellis

Author:Kate Ellis [Ellis, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery & Suspense, Historical Mystery, Police Procedural, Fiction & Literature, Crime
ISBN: 9780349425740
Google: gsNREAAAQBAJ
Amazon: 0349425736
Publisher: Piatkus
Published: 2022-08-04T05:00:00+00:00

From the journal of Dr Aldus Claye

May 1921

Phipps supervises our amateur diggers very strictly, making sure that their rough attentions do no harm to the remains that lie beneath the soil. Once the foundations are exposed, he and I take over with our trowels, and now the outline of a set of rooms is quite visible. Low walls tell of chambers and corridors with a central courtyard in the typical style. Phipps speculates that we have found the country retreat of some wealthy official from the legionary fortress of Isca Dumnoniorum, attracted by the beauty of the rich agricultural land around and its stunning position so near to the sea.

We have discovered roof tiles and much pottery and glass, as well as an abundance of painted plaster in a remarkable state of preservation. Then there are the tesserae we’ve dug from the soil, which Phipps claims indicate the presence of elaborate mosaics. Even more exciting was the statue we found in such good condition that it might have been created yesterday. I heard Phipps scold one of the farmer’s men for digging down too deeply with his spade, and the man muttered something I could not make out. I don’t think he has made friends of our native diggers, but if we are to reveal the floor undamaged, we must proceed carefully.

In the morning of the following day, Phipps and I were alone in the field, and I was surprised when Clarabel joined us, wearing an old shirt and a pair of my trousers. The sight shocked me, but Phipps seemed pleased to see her, handing her a trowel and instructing her in the skill of digging. He stood close to her, teaching her how best to scrape away at the soil so that nothing delicate is missed. I saw her rapt attention to his words. I have never seen her paying me such heed.

She joined us for dinner that evening. It appeared that the exertions of the day had not tired her.

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