The Body in the Ditch (DI Tremayne Thriller Series Book 8) by Phillip Strang

Author:Phillip Strang [Strang, Phillip]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-22T22:00:00+00:00

***

Clare walked over to the pub. Inside, although it was early, Maria was busy.

‘Someone’s got to keep it open,’ she said as she worked in the kitchen.

‘The foreclosure?’

‘I had someone out here from the bank the other day. He’s given the place another three months.’

‘Generous?’

‘Nothing of the sort.’ Maria was a woman who, Clare knew, had good commonsense, someone who could have made something of the pub if she had the money, which she didn’t.

Her husband was on a basic wage in Salisbury as a bus driver, and they had two children to look after. Clare had met the husband on a couple of occasions, and whereas he was affable and devoted to his wife, he wasn’t a go-getter, content to drift along, with his loving wife and two well-behaved and smartly turned out children.

‘What is it?’

‘Public relations, the young man they sent out admitted to it. The village has got a reputation – two murders, a publican who commits suicide due to the bank's pressure. How do you think it’ll read in the local newspaper, on the television, if the media got to hear that the man had taken his own life, his dead body sprawled over the bank’s ultimatum?’

‘Is that what he said?’

‘I gave him a few pointers, something to take back to his manager.’

‘You’re a sharp woman, Maria. Plumpton must have loved having you here.’

‘He was a good man, I liked him. But he was like my husband, well-meaning, a pushover. That’s my lot, falling for good men.’

‘As long as they make you happy.’

‘I’ll tell you, Sergeant…’

‘Clare.’

‘Clare, it is. If I didn’t have Joe, and thankful that I do, then I would have taken Wally, made something of this place.’

‘Of him?’

‘I wouldn’t have changed him one bit, other than to have kept him away from drugs. A few too many drinks occasionally don’t do much harm, but I’ve got a sister who became addicted.’

‘Where is she now?’

‘At home with my parents, and they’re too old to be nursemaiding an adult woman. They try, and I’d have her here with me if I could, but the children are too young. Maybe, in time.’

‘Did you feel affection for Wally?’

‘I’m committed to my husband. I was only telling you what a good man Wally was.’

‘Your plans?’

‘I let the bank know, subtly, let them think it’s their idea, that if they gave me six months, no repayments, I could turn the place around, make a small profit, pay off some of the debt.’

‘Wally’s family?’

‘Wally had no money, even if this place had been sold, and I’ve asked his ex-wife and his children if they’d be interested.’

‘You’re planning on keeping the pub open,’ Clare said.

‘Boutique beers, a gourmet restaurant, the possibilities are endless. It can work, but not as a staid English pub.’

‘The bank, do you reckon they’ll go for your idea?’

‘I can be quite persuasive if I need to be, and adverse publicity to the bank would be damaging.’

‘Especially if you were on the television, in the newspapers, on social media,

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