J a y n e - Ma r i e Ba r k e r

B E N E A T H T H E D A I S I E S
AUSTIN MACAULEY
Copyright Jayne-Marie Barker
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ISBN 978 1 84963 073 3
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Thank you to 'y fa'i$y, they 'ake up 'y wor$d and ) ne%er
wish to be without the'# 2pecia$ thanks to 'y dad for he$ping
'e take the first step:
) wish to thank Dennis Barker for his %a$uab$e career ad%ice
o%er the years of 'y apprenticeship:
specia$ thank you to $e; 5%ans and e%erybody at Pi;'oor
Junior 2choo$ in *etchworth 7arden City for affording 'e
their ti'e, and showing 'e what $ife as a pri'ary schoo$
teacher is rea$$y $ike:
Thank you to Chris Brabrook and <ikki Dugid-&ewe$$ who
were both so he$pfu$ to 'e during 'y research = if there are
any inaccuracies ) assure you they>re 'y 'istakes and not
theirs:
n e;tra specia$ thanks to 'y friend Char$otte Di;on for a$$
her he$p proofreading:
Proo!"e
&o%e'ber !"?1
The rain was hea%y, pe$ting down in sheets, drop$ets the si(e of
hai$ stones thu'ping at the windowpanes# The ear$y &o%e'ber
wind grow$ed %ociferous$y $ike a predator at $arge# The c$ock
struck ten, its chi'e resonating through her heart $ike a dru'#
8atie Bass had @ust heard the head$ines of the e%ening news#
Aer husband was $istening to it on the wire$ess# 2$ight$y
shaking and fee$ing pecu$iar she had 'ounted the stairs of their
se'i-detached house, and now stood in the back bedroo' by
the window# 2he stood a$one, in the dark#
The b$ack star$ess night $oo'ed in at her 'enacing$y
through the sing$e p$ate g$ass window# The 'oon was who$e,
bo$d, a shine of 'ist coating it protecti%e$y# 2he eyed it
sceptica$$y as it shi''ered o%er the gardens $ike a spot$ight,
partic$es of dust suspended in the air $ike trapped ice# dart of
'o%e'ent 'ade her f$inch# cat probab$y, or a s3uirre$, she
to$d herse$f stern$y# 2he took a deep breath and c$osed her
eyes# &o, no, no, a si$ent screa'#
8atie $ooked around her roo', anything to take her 'ind
e$sewhere# )t was fair$y s'a$$, neat, $ined with she$%es and
storage cupboards and in keeping with the $atest 'ini'a$ist
sty$e# The c$utter of the pre%ious century was now considered
B<ictorianC and 8atie, $ike 'ost housewi%es, stri%ed to
'aintain her ho'e to the best of her abi$ity within the confines
of argu'ent the housekeeper afforded her# The inco'e fro'
her husband>s fa'i$y business in 'erica had dwind$ed each
yearD she had strugg$ed to 'aintain the standards of $i%ing they
had set out with# Eegrettab$y they were now down to a staff of
three but they 'anaged# t $east she and her husband were
deep$y happy, unti$ today# 8atie had a horrib$e fee$ing that
things were ne%er going to be the sa'e again# &ow she
cou$dn>t i'agine being happy e%er again#
)t was as if the afternoon>s e%ents had c$ouded her $ife
fore%er# $$ she saw when she c$osed her eyes was the sharp
knife, the b$ade sinking in# The c$arity of it was e;cruciating$y
rea$# 5%erything e$se was 'isty as if she were $ooking through
a tight-knit fog# There was no way out of it# The afternoon had
suffocated her, strang$ed e%ery f$ake of hope unti$ she stood,
beyond a$$ he$p, her faith in hu'an kind desecrated#
8atie conte'p$ated taking out her e'broidery but her
body fe$t fidgety and her 'ind disturbed# Aer ar's sti$$
throbbed %io$ent$y each ti'e she 'o%ed# The encounter had
cost her weak $i'bs a high price# +ortunate$y it had been the
staffs afternoon offD her housekeeper had been out taking tea
with her sister and the two par$our 'aids had gone to the f$icks
with their gent$e'an friends# Perhaps it wou$d ha%e been
easier if they had a$$ been ho'e, they too wou$d ha%e heard the
petrifying screa's#
The i'ages f$icked through her 'ind defiant$y, $ike a stuck
ticker tape# 2he tired to b$ot the atrocious pictures out, c$osing
her eyes and s3uinting tight# )t was no useD her eye$ids cou$d
not shie$d the %iew# 2he wondered @ust how $ong she wou$d
ha%e to suffer this for#
8atie went to the window, her footsteps padding si$ent$y
across the threadbare beige carpet# The so$id curtain of rain
was co'ing down in stair rods and the wind was growing
stronger, gathering its strength with each whip of annihi$ation#
The new$y p$anted conifer trees at the end of ne;t door>s
garden were fata$ities of the wind, prope$$ed around sa%age$y#
The canes didn>t $ook ha$f strong enough to ho$d the' steady#
2he wondered about ringing +rederick to te$$ hi', but then
decided not to# )t wasn>t a good enough e;cuse to ring anyway#
2he had racked her brains for a decent e;cuse to ring up since
four o>c$ock but nothing so$id had co'e her way# There was
nothing she cou$d do to he$p hi' now# )t was a$$ 'uch too $ate,
far too $ate#
8atie watched the baby trees dancing in the windsD were
their short $i%es to end a$readyF )t wasn>t the first she had
witnessed today# Aer ar's did hurt# 2he f$inched as she 'o%ed
the', wrapping the' around herse$f so she rese'b$ed a strait
@acket# 5ntrapped into her situation, si$enced and under
so'eone e$se>s contro$# Ges, a strait @acket de'onstrated it
perfect$y# Prisons didn>t a$ways ha%e to ha%e wa$$s and bars in
order to e;ist#
+rederick>s back door s$apped back against the brickwork#
2he @u'ped, heard it snap $ike a broken bone, and cast her
ga(e out o%er her neighbour>s garden# 9ut ca'e +rederick, a
$arge bund$e in his ar'sHa bund$e wrapped in a thick brown
c$oth# The kind of c$oth used in packing trunks at the turn of
the century#
8atie he$d her breath as he rested the bund$e carefu$$y on
the ground# )t fe$$ $i'p as he re$in3uished his ho$d# )t was $ong,
a $one foot e;posed to the e$e'ents at one end# 8atie>s breath
caught in her throat# 2he had e;pected the sirens of the
a'bu$ance or the po$ice, waited for the', watched for the' in
case they had arri%ed in si$ence, it being c$ear$y too $ate to sa%e
the innocent $i%es, but when they hadn>t co'e she had
wondered e%en 'ore# 2he had no idea what +rederick wou$d
do, but she had ne%er e;pected this drastic action# 2ure$y he
wasn>t @ust going toH no, no, he cou$dn>t:
8atie s3uinted through the stor', her %iew distorted by the
re$ent$ess rain# Aer head began to ache# 2he fe$t her pu$se
3uicken with the an;iety# The brightness of the g$istening red
sanda$ on the e$egant wo'an>s foot spoke out to her in the
dark wet night# )t was co$d# 2he shi%ered# 2he c$osed her eyes
and opened the' againD the 'otion night'are was sti$$ there,
right in front of her# The heating hadn>t kicked into $ife yet#
2he wrapped her ar's around herse$f e%en tighter# Aer body
te'perature dropped sudden$y, whether it was fro' the sight
or the coo$ness in the roo' she cou$dn>t be certain# The shoe
f$ashed an unp$easant 'e'ory across her 'ind# 2he tre'b$ed
fierce$y, fe$t the goose pi'p$es on her ar's and her heart
a$'ost stop with fright#
4here was C$arissaF 4here were the housekeeper and the
cookF 2ure$y they had returned by nowH8atie c$osed her eyes
and inha$ed deep$y# 4hen she opened the' again +rederick
had %anished# Ae was sto'ping back towards the house# 2he
cou$d a$'ost hear the s$ushy noise as his hea%y waterproof
boot-c$ad feet sp$ashed into the 'uddy grass# Ae wasn>t going
to $ea%e the wo'an there, a$one, $ying he$p$ess$y on the $awn,
was heF co$d sweat crept o%er 8atie>s pa$'s and her
sto'ach $urched o%er in protest# 2he took a deep breath,
resisting the urge to %o'it# 2he hadn>t had an appetite and had
picked at her e%ening 'ea$# $bert had noticed of course but so
far she had 'anaged to get away with I)>' not fee$ing too
we$$, )>$$ be a$$ right in the 'orning#> That wasn>t going to
wash once dawn broke#
+rederick 'arched back out of the house ne;t door, his
footsteps s3ue$ching down the $awn with another bund$e# This
ti'e 'uch $arger, he was strugg$ing under the weight of it, the
c$othed bund$e 'uch bu$kier than the first# 4ith a thud 8atie
cou$d on$y i'agine the bund$e was put down ne;t to the
wo'an with the red sanda$# The second bund$e was hand$ed
with considerab$y $ess care# &o surprise rea$$y, she thought#
8atie rea$ised she was sti$$ ho$ding her breath, her hands
c$asped together as if in prayer# )t wou$d be decent after a$$, to
say a few words# 2he watched in horror as +rederick %anished
again, into the shed at the base of the garden, seconds $ater
returning with a $arge sho%e$#
+rederick>s 'usc$es worked 3uick$y, the si$%er spade
ref$ecting the 'oon>s rays as he thrust it into the ground, his
hee$ sinking it sti$$ further deep# 2he watched his 'usc$es
f$e;ing unceasing$y with the e;ertion# 2he watched hi' $aunch
the soi$ up in the air, o%er his shou$der# The 'ountain of 'ud
behind hi' grew steadi$y# 9%er an hour $ater she sti$$ stood
there, watching intent$y#
I8atieF> it was $bert# Ae crept up behind her so soft$y,
her concentration so$e$y on +rederick# Aer si$houette spread
out on the carpet before her husband>s feet, captured by the
$ight fro' the now open door onto the $anding#
IBert:> she was start$ed, atte'pted to 'o%e towards hi',
away fro' the window# )t was for his own protection he didn>t
see +rederick>s $abours# Ae cou$d testify to nothing then,
nothing at a$$# Co'p$ete innocent# 2he en%ied hi' that 'uch,
and that a$one# IBert, no:> she cried as he headed towards the
window# Ais gasp was $oud and raspy# Ais 'outh was $eft in a
perfect 9 shape, the i'pression stuck on his face $ike a 'ask#
IBert,> she said again, a softer %oice, co'ing up beside hi'
and watching as +rederick began to $ift the $arger bu$kier
bund$e up#
I9h 'y 7od:> Bert said, Iare theyH> 8atie nodded her
head in si$ent respect as the pair of the' watched +rederick
p$acing the body in the ho$e# $bert pu$$ed 8atie c$oser to hi',
his ar's wrapped around her waist# 2he c$ung to hi'# Much
better than the strait @acket, sti$$ she knew her prison wa$$s
were ne%er co'ing down# The night'are wou$d ne%er end#
The rain was fi$$ing +redericks ho$e $ike a deter'ined $ake,
the 'uddy rainwater oo(ing out fro' the 'ountain behind
hi'# Ae worked hasti$y, p$acing the s'a$$er body, the wo'an,
in the ho$e as we$$# +e%erish$y he pi$ed the s$oppy wet 'ud
back into the ho$e, the rain o%erf$owing the gra%e as he fought
hard against the e$e'ents# Just twenty 'inutes $ater +rederick
was $e%e$$ing the ground# Ae returned the 'ucky sho%e$ to the
shed and stood on the $awn by the fresh gra%e#
+or the first ti'e he $ooked up towards their window# They
stood sti$$, their eyes $ocking into +rederick# 8atie cou$d see
the water dripping down +rederick>s face $ike a wa$$ of tears#
Ais grief c$oaked hi', his body ob$i%ious to the near free(ing
te'perature and the angry how$ of wind that threatened
destruction with a sing$e swipe# )t was o%er now#
4hether or not he saw the' they cou$dn>t say, but any
'o%e'ent wou$d certain$y ha%e gi%en the' away# 8atie he$d
her breath, her chest hea%ed inwards with the fear of 'o%ing
e%en the s$ightest bit# +rederick $ooked down at the ground, the
rain sti$$ pouring down his face $ike a fountain# fter a coup$e
of 'inutes of staring at the 'uddy $awn +rederick turned, his
head hung $ow, and wa$ked back towards the house, the door
s$a''ing behind hi'#
#$a%&er 'ne
March -.."
2ophie was busy unpacking a bo; of utensi$s, saucepans and
p$ates in the kitchen when the front door be$$ rang# )t wou$d be
Mr Tay$or, she thought, we$$ his ti'ing was good# 2he $owered
her ar'fu$ back into the bo; with a 'inor c$atter, rubbed her
hands on her @ean-c$ad thighs and padded soft$y towards the
front door in her stripy socks#
The sky $ooked 'o'entari$y de%oid of sunshine but the
b$ueness was breaking through in $arge patches# n
une;pected burst of sunshine f$ashed into her eyes as she
swung the door open and her breath caught in her throat as she
$ooked at hi' for the first ti'e# Ae starred back at her with
eyes the co$our of stardust#
ndrew Tay$or s'i$ed at his new c$ient, a broad s'i$e that
'ade his eyes spark$e and her knees wane# 2o it wasn>t a
c$ichJD she thought f$eeting$y, this type of instant infusion of
e'otions did e;ist# 'o'ent passed and neither said a word#
The s'i$es e;tended, dangerous$y heading towards a fu$$
'inute before he spoke#
IMiss AarrisF> his %oice was thick and soft $ike go$den
syrup# 2he found herse$f $ost for words#
IG###yes,> she whispered#
Indrew Tay$or,> he offered, e;tending his hand, Iyou can
ca$$ 'e ndy#>
I2ophie#> The war'th of his fingers around hers was
'aking her 'ind fu((y#
I4here do you want 'e to start 2ophieF> he asked, his
b$ue eyes s'i$ing at her# Aearing hi' say her na'e distracted
her again# Get a grip she to$d herse$f# Ais hand was sti$$ in
hers, the cri'son shade fi$$ing her as she re$eased hi'#
IK', u', the garden,> she said without thinking# 9f course
it wou$d be better to start with the decorating but it was too $ate
now#
IEight, ok, sha$$ ) go around the side with the too$sF> he
offered, indicating the gate to his $eft that $ed to the back
garden#
IGes p$ease,> she said, I)>$$ 'eet you in the garden#> 2he
shut the door with gustoD $eant hea%i$y against it and rea$ised
she had been ho$ding her breath# Pull yourself together Sophie
she chastised herse$f# Just pull yourself together.
Luick$y she ran to the back door, pu$$ed on so'e shoes
and hopped out into the garden# ndy was un$oading an array
of gardening too$s into the 'idd$e of the $awn# The sun was
ref$ecting off his tanned ar's creating a shine# Ae $ooked $ike
a god and she fe$t sudden$y weak again# Twitching$y she
fidd$ed with the knot at the nape of her open white b$ouse o%er
the f$i'sy ca'i top beneath#
I4hat wou$d you $ike doing out here thenF> he asked,
sensing her arri%a$ and unwitting$y s$icing into her daydrea'#
IK', wou$d you $ike so'e teaF> she offered, s'i$ing and
hoping for an affir'ati%e to a$$ow herse$f so'e ti'e a$one#
C$ear$y the first $ecture she had paid herse$f had a$ready fa$$en
by the wayside#
IGeah, that>d be nice, thanks,> he f$ashed her another wide
s'i$e fro' his stance bent o%er the too$s on the $awn# I2ha$$ )
get startedF> 2he nodded at hi' in si$ence# I4hereF>
I) was hoping for a pond,> she to$d hi', the words
tu'b$ing out hurried$y, Iabout here,> she pointed to the $awn#
IEight ok, we$$ )>$$ start on that then#>
IThanks# )>$$ @ust go, and, go and 'ake the tea,> she
breathed and skipped back into the house# The day was
unusua$$y war' for the ti'e of year, or was it @ust herF 2he
cou$dn>t decide which# Aer eyes f$icked to hi' through the
kitchen window $ike a 'agnet#
2ophie c$icked on the kett$e, took out two 'ugs and
dropped Tet$ey tea bags into the' absent-'inded$y# 2he was
being ridicu$ous, si$$y, it was @ust a 'o'ent# )t wou$d pass# 2he
wou$d probab$y go back out there with the 'ugs of tea and
wonder what a$$ the fuss was about# Ges, she wou$d be fine,
@ust fine# Con%inced by her own assertions she poured the hot
water o%er the tea bags# )t was ti'e to face the 'usic#
IDo you actua$$y know what you>re doingF> she asked as
she bought the 'ugs of tea out into the back garden# ndy was
beginning to break out into a $abour induced sweat# Beads of
sweat a$ong his ar's g$istened in the $ight# si(eab$e ho$e was
a$ready underway#
I9f course,> ndy s'i$ed, I)>' a professiona$, re'e'berF>
he $aughed, his b$ue eyes spark$ing at her with interest#
I2orry, yes of course you are, ) didn>t 'ean to, er, toH>
2he cou$d fee$ the scar$et shade rising fro' so'ewhere in the
pit of her sto'ach# 4ith a$ar'ing rapidity it reached her face
and spread out $ike a f$a'e#
IAey, ) was @oking, re$a;:> ndy took a $arge gu$p of his
tea and rested the 'ug down on an upturned recyc$ing crate
that had pre%ious$y housed his too$s# 2ophie drank 3uick$y,
a$'ost burning the top of her 'outh and trying desperate$y not
to $ook at ndy>s tanned biceps f$e;ing with the strain# IAow
big do you want this to be thenF> he asked her, grabbing the
sho%e$ again#
As big as you like she b$ushed to herse$f# Get a grip.
Ibout to here,> she gestured, pointing her toes# Aer heart
fe$t as if it had $eapt into her 'outh# Ae sank the sho%e$ back
into the soft earth# 2ophie watched the sun dance off his dark
b$ond hair with interest, her pu$se 3uickening# 2he fe$t odd$y
faint# fren(ied nu'bness took o%er her $egs#
I) te$$ you, it>s getting s'a$$er the 'ore ) ha%e to dig:> he
reached for his tea and paused, the sho%e$ dug upright into the
ho$e in the ground# IThanks,> he said, indicating the now
e'pty purp$e 'ug# 2ophie f$ashed a s'i$e at hi', wiped a
stray strand of her choco$ate brown hair aside and hopped
ner%ous$y onto the other foot# Knsure what to say ne;t, she
$ooked up at the sun and fo$$owed a bird f$ying across the roof,
shie$ding her eyes with her ar', anything to keep fro' staring
at the 'ost gorgeous 'an she had e%er seen#
4hy did he ha%e to be so fabu$ousF )t wasn>t fair#
Mo'ents before he had arri%ed she hadn>t noticed the thread
bare 'ateria$ in her b$ouse, or the fact that her @eans were
faded and torn at the knees# 2he was dressed for unpacking
dusty bo;es, painting wa$$s, hea%ing furniture around the
$ounge, certain$y not fit for what cou$d turn out to be the 'ost
i'portant first i'pression of her $ife#
I2o,> he said, tunne$$ing into her drea's again, Iwhen did
you 'o%e inF>
I)s it that ob%iousF> she asked, surprised#
I4e$$, you ha%e bo;es in the window,> he s'i$ed at her#
IGou get used to the signs in 'y $ine of work,> he 'used#
I&ice road this, hope you>$$ be happy here#>
IThank you#>
I)>%e done a fair bit of work in this area, nice peop$e#> Ae
continued to dig as he spoke, deep effort$ess-$ooking p$unges
into the earth# 2ophie g$anced at the growing ho$e, the soft
earth cru'b$ing at his co''and#
I9h good, a$ways nice to know,> she said, 'es'erised by
the speed with which he progressed deep into the ground#
IEecent$y thenF>
IJust yesterday,> she whispered, I'y grand'other died and
she $eft the house to 'e#> Aer own %oice sounded distant to
her, odd$y 3uiet# )t was as if so'eone were p$aying it back to
her fro' a recording ridd$ed with echoes#
I9h, )>' sorry,> he $ooked at her, their eyes $ocking in a
heartbeat#
I)t>s a$right, she had a great $ife#> 2ophie>s hair bounced
with her affir'ati%e nod#
2i$ence pre%ai$ed for about thirty seconds# 4orry $ines
creased 2ophie>s browD she hadn>t 'eant to te$$ hi' = a perfect
stranger = about her grand'other>s death# 5%en though he was
3uite $itera$$y a perfect stranger#
I4ow, you didn>t waste 'uch ti'e in ca$$ing 'e out, not
that )>' co'p$aining you understand,> he s'i$ed again# Ais
teeth were rea$$y white she thought, and his 'outh was so
in%iting# 2he 'enta$$y pu$$ed herse$f together#
I4e$$ ) wanted to er, to get things 'o%ing,> she
sta''ered, Iyou know, so 'uch to do, so $itt$e ti'e and a$$H
can ) he$p you at a$$F>
IProbab$y not,> he said honest$y, Ibesides, you>%e hired 'e
to do it so no point in your getting a$$ 'ucky too#> ndy threw
the sho%e$ down into the earth again, a $oud c$ink stunting his
efforts# IGou>%e got buried treasure,> he said with a $augh,
straightening hi'se$f and $eaping down into the ho$e to
in%estigate#
2ophie picked up the two 'ugs and conte'p$ated going
back inside# 2he fe$t 'agnetica$$y drawn to hi' but there was
on$y so 'uch she cou$d think of to say, besides what she
wanted to ask hi' $ike are you married? Have you got any
children? o you love me? !h my God" you#ve got the most
beautiful body" any chance you $ant to spend the rest of your
life $ith me?
+ro' so'ewhere another c$ink of the sho%e$ roused her
attention# 2he watched the co$our drain fro' ndy>s face in an
instant# Ae see'ed transfi;ed by the ho$e in the ground#
I4hatF> she ha$f ye$$ed# I4hat are you g$aring atH> the 'ugs
fe$$ fro' her hands and crashed to the ground as she stepped
towards the ho$e# &oHnoHit cou$dn>t beH
ndy $ooked at her, resting the sho%e$ down on the
undisturbed $awn and ca'e towards her side# 2he he$d onto
hi' tight$y as if it 'ight $eap up and attack the'# 2udden$y it
didn>t 'atter that they were re$ati%e strangers# )t was @ust
necessary to fee$ the $i%ingHndy wrapped her into his ar's
and gent$y but fir'$y turned her to face away fro' the ho$e#
I)t can>t beH> Ais eyes 'o%ed fro' her face to the ho$e,
back to her face and then, s$ow$y, he $et her a$one and 'o%ed
towards the ho$e# IDon>t $ook,> he warned#
I&o, don>t touch it:> she cried# coo$ bree(e snaked its
way through the garden# The sun s$id dubious$y behind a c$oud
as if in hiding# 2ophie tugged on ndy>s shirt# I*ea%e it# Just
co%er it a$$ up and )>$$ ring the po$ice, p$ease:> she begged#
I*ea%e it a$one# )f it>s what we think it is we can>t touch it#>
ndy 'o%ed back towards her side# Ae hugged her 3uick$y
and ga%e her a gent$e sho%e back towards the house#
I7o put so'ething stronger in these,> he co''anded,
proffering the e'pty 'ugs fro' the grass# 2he ran towards the
back door into the kitchen, in search of whisky#
s she watched ndy sho%e$ the soi$ back into the ho$e she
dia$$ed the $oca$ po$ice station# Aer fingers fe$t fro(en but on
the third atte'pt she 'anaged the correct nu'ber and $istened
i'patient$y to the dia$$ing tone#
IAe$$o, 2uffo$k Po$ice, how can ) he$p youF> a kind %oice
answered#
I) thinkH) thinkH> her breath wou$dn>t co'e easi$y# 2he
cou$d fee$ herse$f hyper%enti$ating#
IJust ca$' down Miss, breathe s$ow$y and te$$ 'e c$ear$y
what see's to be the 'atter#> The operator>s %oice was coo$
and co$$ected# 2ophie inha$ed deep$y and c$osed her eyes#
I4e$$Hwe were @ust digging in the gardenHandHwe saw
a bone, ) thought it 'ight ha%e been a dog>s bone or
so'ethingHbutHthen we saw a sku$$# ) think it>s a hu'an
sku$$: )>' not sure what to do:> her %oice rose steadi$y#
ITake a deep breath Miss,> the operator said# I2$ow down#
Te$$ 'e s$ow$yH>
IThere>s a dead body buried in 'y garden:> she wai$ed,
beginning to $ose contro$ a$$ too 3uick$y# ICan you p$easeH>
9utside ndy was sti$$ sho%e$$ing the dirt back into the
ho$e, co%ering their buried friend# 2ophie twisted to see hi'
through the window, the te$ephone cord cur$ing around her
fingers and cutting the circu$ation#
I)>$$ send an officer around i''ediate$y,> the kind %oice
to$d her down the $ine# IDon>t worry now# Can you te$$ 'e
your addressF> nother deep breath and 2ophie re$ayed the
detai$s#
9utside ndy was starring down at the grass, disbe$ief
spread o%er his face, his sho%e$ abandoned at his feet#
+ro' the 3uietness of the kitchen 2ophie $ooked out o%er
her garden# Aer father wou$d be furious if he knew# 2he
debated te$$ing hi' but didn>t fee$ up to it# )t wou$d wait, the
bones weren>t going anywhere by the $ooks of things#
2ophie>s hands shook as the dark brown $i3uid s$opped
into g$asses noisi$y# ndy took the bott$e fro' her and
rep$aced the cap and pu$$ed out a chair for her# 2he fo$$owed
his $ead and fe$$ hea%i$y into the wooden kitchen chair, rested
her head on her hands and took a deep breath#
co'panionab$e si$ence surrounded the' $ike a b$anket#
ndy 'o%ed to the kitchen sink to wash his hands and sat
down at the tab$e in si$ence, $ooking around the kitchen# The
o%en, hob and e;traction hood were so we$$ hidden he had to
$ook twice @ust to $ocate the'# There wasn>t e%en any point in
guessing where the fridge and free(er hid# $arge white but$er
sink occupied the work surface beneath the window
o%er$ooking the garden# Ae sho%ed the bo; of utensi$s s$ight$y
away and shifted his chair c$oser towards her#
Ire you a$$ rightF> his %oice was soft and despite the
shock of the find she found herse$f 'anaging to f$ash a ha$f
s'i$e at hi'#
IGes ) think so,> she said, gesturing towards the whisky
and taking a $arge sip of her own# Ire youF>
IGeah, you don>t ha%e to worry about 'e, you>d be
surprised at the things peop$e bury in their gardens,> he
atte'pted a ha$f-hearted chuck$e and rather uncon%incing$y
drained his g$ass in one# 2o it had shaken hi' she thought, but
he was far fro' ad'itting as 'uch to her#
IEea$$y, $ike whatF> she asked, fee$ing better a$ready#
IDon>t te$$ 'e this isn>t the first set of hu'an re'ains you>%e
unearthedF>
s if it knew the sun was 'asked by a thick c$oud and a
shadow 3uick$y spread o%er their cosy encounter at the kitchen
tab$e# 2ophie finished her whisky and re-fi$$ed both their
g$asses# )t was pure$y shock she to$d herse$f, not usua$$y being
a big drinker at a$$, $et a$one strong whisky in the 'idd$e of the
day#
I&o, not 3uite, but peop$e do odd things# Co'e across a
fair few pets in 'y ti'e, 3uite a few things peop$e @ust wanted
to get rid of# This isn>t the first ti'e po$ice ha%e been ca$$ed, so
don>t worry ) know the dri$$# They>$$ turn up, put up one of
those white tents 'ost probab$y, and gather it a$$ up in p$astic
bags# That>$$ be it for today, you can re$a;, we>%e done a$$ we
can for now# They>$$ probab$y ban you fro' entering the
garden for a whi$e, nothing drastic though#>
2ophie sighed hea%i$y#
IGes, ) e;pect you>re right,> she said fina$$y# I2ti$$, it>s
horrib$e# This house has been in 'y fa'i$y for decades#
Chances are those ske$etons areH>
I2shHDon>t say it,> he interrupted her, co%ering her
'outh with his hand# IGou don>t know that# 2ha$$ we ta$k
about so'ething e$seF> Ais body war'th 'ade her fee$ giddy#
2he nodded her head in agree'ent as he retrie%ed his hand#
4hat was wrong with her, why, e%en after the horrib$e find,
did she sti$$ want to rip the c$othes off this gorgeous 'an who
sat inches away fro' her at the kitchen tab$eF
I4hy don>t you te$$ 'e about yourse$f,> she asked,
Idistract 'e,> she breathed, resting her chin on her hands# The
whisky was 3uite strong# ndy took another gu$p and $eant
forward towards her# 2ophie fe$t his war' breath on her face,
his $ips inches fro' hers, and sudden$y the ske$etons were
forgotten, at $east te'porari$y#
I$$ right, what do you want to knowF> he asked her, his
eyes searching hers and finding on$y intrigued 'ystery#
I5%erything,> she whispered#
I9k, where to start,> he 'used, Iwhen ) $eft schoo$ )
worked for *$oyds &ursery# They had a gardening tea', you
know $ike you hire the' out, $ike you>%e hired 'e# bit $ike
groundforce but without $an Titch'arsh,> he bea'ed# 2he
s'i$ed encouraging$y#
Inyway, one day ) was asked to he$p with so'e
p$anting,> he continued# I)t was good and ) thought )>d $ike to
gi%e it a shot# )t was better than hea%ing around the orna'ents
and bags of ferti$iser a$$ day# 2o when a %acancy ca'e up for
an apprenticeship ) app$ied and they ga%e it to 'e#> ndy
s'i$ed at her, paused#
I7o on,> she urged#
I)t was a two year course# ) worked for the' for a whi$e
after ) finished the course and ) was sent out with so'e of the
other guys on @obs# )t was fun 'ost of the ti'e, hard work but
a good $augh# Ibout si; 'onths back a friend of the fa'i$y
asked if )>d do a pri%ate @ob for hi'# Paid rea$$y we$$# Didn>t
think 'uch about it unti$ the week after# Ae>d reco''ended
'e to this guy he worked with and ) got another pri%ate @ob# )t
sort of sprung off 3uick$y and ) thought )>d gi%e it a go at
going fu$$ ti'e on 'y own# Bit scary at first 'ind,> he s'i$ed
at her again# IDidn>t know if ) was being a co'p$ete idiot but
so far so good# ) $eft *$oyds coup$e of 'onths ago and )>%e
been run off 'y feet with work e%er since#>
I2ounds $ike you know what you want,> her %oice was
3uiet, e%en 3uieter than she rea$ised# Ais eyes spark$ed at her#
I) a$ways know what ) want,> he to$d her, Iand ) usua$$y get
it,> he pro'ised, the static growing#
IGou don>t say,> she teased and he s'i$ed bright$y# IGou
'ust be %ery successfu$> she 'ur'ured#
I) don>t know if it>$$ $ast but at the 'o'ent things are
good#>
I4hat about in the winterF> she 3ui((ed# Ais eyes were so
c$ose to hers now she cou$d bare$y drag her ga(e away#
IThere>$$ be consu$tation work,> he said 3uiet$y# Ind )>%e
done the first ter' of interior decoration at co$$ege so
hopefu$$y )>$$ get 'ore decorating and handy @obs in the co$der
'onths#>
IK',> 2ophie hu''ed, Isounds $ike a good p$an to 'e#>
IAope so,> he said#
I4hat happens ne;tF> she asked
I)n rea$ity or in a perfect wor$dF> he teased her# 2he
gigg$ed $ight$y#
I)n rea$ity,> she whispered with re$uctance# I4e>$$ co'e to
the perfect wor$d $ater,> she pro'ised with a s'i$e# I4hat wi$$
you do if the business takes off, wi$$ you take on e;tra staffF>
IGeah, ) think so,> he breathed, the war'th 'erging with
her own, I)>' a$ready trying to e;pand, sow the seeds as it
were# )>%e taken on Bi$$ as an assistant# Ae>s retired rea$$y, he>s
M6, so he co'es cheap,> he chuck$ed, Ia$though he knows the
score so ) don>t need to spend 'uch ti'e training hi'#>
I) see,> she whispered#
I4hen he fina$$y retires for good )>$$ get a fu$$ ti'er )
think, younger chap, schoo$ $ea%er 'aybe# 2o'eone ) canH>
he thought for a 'inute for the right word IH'ou$d#>
IMou$d heyF>
IGeah, ) $ike things to be @ust so,> he teased her, his finger
tips tracing her ar'# ting$ing sprinted through her body#
IThere>s a new contract out for tender and )>' going for that
too,> he continued#
I'bitious,> she agreed, Ithat>s a$ways a good sign,> she
whispered#
IEea$$y, )>' g$ad to hear it,> his fingertips created $itt$e
circ$es on her ar', their war'th heating her fro' within# I)t>$$
be hard work if ) get it but, you know, be worth it in the end#
2o'e things are worth working for#> Ais s'i$e wou$d ha%e
f$oored her if she were standing, as it was she fe$t her who$e
being 'e$t at wi$$#
I2ha$$ ) show you around the houseF> she offered, a$'ost
not wanting to 'o%e# I4e cou$d $ook at the decorating first
instead#> Aer %oice was bare$y audib$e#
IThat>s a good idea,> he agreed, $eaning further towards
her# IDo you want every roo' decoratedF>
2ophie nodded s$ow$y#
Ibso$ute$y e%ery roo', it>$$ take you a whi$e ) i'agine,>
she said 3uiet$y#
I)>' not in a rush,> he s'i$ed at her# Ais $ips were ha$f a
breath away fro' hers when the doorbe$$ chi'ed and they
sprang apart $ike fire-crackers#
I9h,> 2ophie said, her face f$ushed pink, Ithat 'ust be the
pH sorry,> she sta''ered, I)>d better get the door#>
ndy sat back in his chair, watched her beautifu$ fra'e
wa$k fro' the kitchen door into the open ha$$way past the
staircase and towards the front door# Ae downed the rest of his
whisky and s'i$ed# Despite the unfortunate find in the garden
he had a good fee$ing about this particu$ar @ob#
I)t>s this way,> 2ophie $ed the po$ice'an and his crew
through the house into the garden# ndy got up fro' the tab$e
and began to wash the whisky g$asses in the sink# The po$ice
were in the garden for 3uite so'e ti'e, digging up the sa'e
spot and asking 2ophie 3uestions# 2he stood on the basic patio
area, the conser%atory to her $eft, spanning the width of the
$i%ing roo'# ndy $ooked at the perfect $ine of her back#
Behind her were the kitchen window and the back door in the
'idd$e of the house, a$'ost in $ine with the front# ndy saw
her gesture for hi' to co'e out and e;ited the house %ia the
back door#
I2o 2ir, you were digging here,> 2ergeant 4e$$s pointed to
the spot where his co$$eagues were carefu$$y se$ecting the
bones# Ae was a short and fair$y p$u'p 'an with a pink round
face and 'ousy hair that cur$ed at his ears# Ais unifor' was
crisp, the si$%er buck$es g$inting in the sun$ight# 2ophie turned
away and ndy reached for her hand, drew her into his
e'brace#
IGes,> he said o%er 2ophie>s shou$der# I) got that far and
then we co%ered it back o%er and rang you#> Ae shie$ded his
eyes fro' the sun with his free hand#
I9k, there>s not 'uch e$se we can ask at this ti'e# 4e>$$
be as 3uick as we can# 4e>$$ be treating this garden as a cri'e
scene Miss Aarris,> 2ergeant 4e$$s to$d her# I4e>$$ need to
tape it off so no-one can conta'inate the area# )>' sorry but
you>$$ ha%e to stay out the garden for the ti'e being#>
IThat>s a$right officer,> 2ophie sta''ered# I) don>t think )
want to go into the garden for a whi$e#> ndy had been right,
she thought, c$e%er as we$$ as handso'e# There had to be
catchH
I9ur 29C $ads are @ust taking any D& testing and prints
they can# 4e>re waiting for the doctor then we can 'o%e
the',> 2ergeant 4e$$s indicated the ho$e with a nod# tea' of
fi%e were erecting a white tent o%er the ho$e and ushered the'
further out the way# Ae pushed her gent$y towards the house,
his hand on the s'a$$ of her back# ndy took his $ead and
pu$$ed 2ophie c$oser towards hi'#
IThe doctorF> she 3ueried#
I) know it see's strange Miss but we ha%e to ha%e the
doctor confir' that $ife is e;tinct before we can 'o%e the'#
Ae shou$d be a$ong in a 'inute#>
I2ir:> one of the white-coated 'en produced a red shoe out
the ground $ike a f$ag# They hudd$ed together $ike chi$dren in a
p$ayground# 2ophie c$ung to ndy, trying not to watch#
I5;cuse 'e,> 2ergeant 4e$$s 'u'b$ed and sprinted the
coup$e of feet towards the a$'ost erected tent# $adies red
shoe and a torn si$k neck scarf, both co%ered in 'ud# 2ophie
shi%ered and ndy he$d her tighter#
IThe'F> she whispered into ndy>s shou$der# IDid he say
the', as in 'ore than oneF
The officer returned, the shoe and scarf in hand# Ais
shadow cast out behind hi' $ike a c$oak o%er the horrid scene#
IDo you recognise these MissF>
I&o, )>' sorry,> 2ophie said 3uiet$y# I)>%e ne%er seen the'
before#>
I9k, you can take the young $ady back inside if you $ike
2ir,> 4e$$s to$d ndy with a ha$f nod before turning back
towards his tea'#
IThank you,> ndy said, $eading 2ophie back into the
house#
I*et>s get this show on the road,> they heard the officer
ca$$ing# I4here>s the da'n doctorF nd who is our MC2F>
I) a' of course, son,> a new %oice %entured, Iwho did you
e;pectF> ta$$ thin inspector with a cigarette in his 'outh and
a brown checked hat turned the corner fro' the gate, @ust as
2ophie and ndy opened the back door in order to escape into
to the sanity of the house#
IAe$$o,> the inspector s'i$ed at the', $ifting his hat brief$y#
I7ood 'orning, fine day isn>t itF )>' inspector $$en,> he
e;tended his hand# 2he took it $i'p$y# I2o, has the 2ergeant
taken down your particu$arsF>
IGes inspector,> 2ophie to$d hi'#
IEighto,> he bea'ed# I)>$$ ha%e a word,> he infor'ed her,
his fingers toying his grey 'oustache as he wa$t(ed towards
his sergeant, a few giant strides away#
2ophie now stood at the kitchen window watching# Peop$e
of %arious si(es and shapes co%ered in white paper-$ooking
suits 'arched about the garden# *itt$e p$astic bags and what
$ooked to 2ophie $ike a pastry brush were being passed around
$ike a chi$dren>s party ga'e# Did it rea$$y need to take this
$ongF They were %ery studious with their face'asks and
p$astic g$o%es# 2he wou$d be hard pushed to distinguish
between the 'en and the wo'en, they a$$ $ooked identica$#
$ien a$'ost# 9ne of the' sto'ped around with a c$ipboard
'arking down si$ent acknow$edge'ents fro' %arious
co$$eagues# The unifor'ed officers stood guard around the
edges to the gate and to the front of the house# 5%entua$$y a
'an in a grey woo$$en o%ercoat arri%ed carrying a b$ack $eather
doctors> bag# Ae stood o%er the ho$e and g$anced 3uick$y into
it# Ae spoke brief$y to the inspector and sauntered off again#
The house stood proud and ta$$, a brick se'i bui$t in the
nineteenth century, its chi'ney rising up into the b$ue tinted
sky# Aer fa'i$y had occupied the house for years# The
dri%eway was gra%e$$ed and took o%er 'ost of what wou$d
once ha%e been a front garden#
The ha$$way ran fro' the front door to the kitchen# The
staircase ran up the right hand side and beneath that an a$co%e
that 2ophie re'e'bered once ha%ing she$%es in when her
grand'other had been a$i%e# The she$%es 'ust ha%e been
re'o%ed since she had $ast %isited# 2ophie $ed ndy up the
stairs, the handrai$ was f$akingD white specks of paint fa$$ing
$ike confetti#
I2ha$$ weH> 2ophie indicated the stairs# I) want to do
so'ething# ) can>t @ust sit here id$y#>
I9f course,> he said# I4e>d better see to that hadn>t weF>
ndy said, indicating the handrai$, his fingers brushing
a$ongside hers# Ting$es fi$tered through her $ike cha'pagne
bubb$es and she fe$t s$ight$y f$ushed#
IGes ) guess so,> she agreed# IThank you,> she said#
I+or whatF> he $ooked surprised as they ca'e to pause on
the botto' few steps# 2ophie $ooked into his eyes, the
'o'ents stretched out $ike a 'otion picture#
ITrying to $ook after 'e, to distract 'e, for not running
away,> she said# Ae afforded her another one of his winning
s'i$es as she $ed the way up the stairs#
The bathroo' was opposite the top of the staircase# )t was
decorated in o$d <ictorian b$ack and white ti$esD si'i$ar effect
to those used in the kitchen and c$ear$y needed no work
whatsoe%er#
The cei$ing in the s'a$$est of the four bedroo's was white,
a s'a$$ f$ake stor' brewing but nothing a spot of paint
cou$dn>t fi;# Decorati%e 'ou$ding of the cei$ing had de%e$oped
into a work of art# n entire ring of ange$s and cat-$ike
creatures f$uttered around the tops of the wa$$s#
ICan you fi; thatF> she en3uired and he nodded at her#
I7i%e so'e thought to the co$ours in these roo's so we can
purchase the' in bu$k supp$y# )t>$$ sa%e a $ot of 'oney#> 2he
s'i$ed at hi' and a%oided the %iew fro' the window where
the erected white tent was a$ready co%ering a good ha$f of her
$awn#
ndy 'o%ed her on, his hands on her waist# The ne;t two
roo's stood e'pty with s'a$$ windows, bare bu$bs dang$ing
$i'p$y and shadows stained into the wa$$s#
I2o'e %ery c$e%er $ighting 'ust ha%e contro$$ed the 'ood
in these roo's,> 2ophie 'used# The $a'ps had $ong since
%anished, $ea%ing on$y their grubby ghost 'arks on the wa$$s#
2o'e of the p$aster around the ho$es was %isib$e# ndy ran a
finger o%er it and rubbed his hand on his trousers $eg#
IGes, we$$ ) can he$p you choose $ights if you $ike#> ndy
to$d her# IThese are fine, nothing to worry about,> he said#
IThey were taken out,> she e;p$ained# I4e thought the
house wou$d ha%e to be so$d to pay for nursing care but then
sheH> ndy nodded# I)t wasn>t e;pected 3uite so soon#>
IDon>t worry, it>$$ get better than this, gi%e it ti'e,> ndy
soothed, taking her hand again and $eading her into the $ast
roo', the 'aster bedroo', which o%er$ooked the front of the
house# $arge roo' greeted the'# 2ophie>s doub$e bed was
co%ered in an in%iting paste$ pink du%et# $arge wooden
wardrobe stood to the side wa$$ and dressing tab$e by the
window# 2uitcases of unpacked c$othes $ined the f$oor# The
roo' had a pretty bay window with a seat# I2o @ust easy
painting up here then,> he su''arised stepping o%er the
suitcases and $ooking a her, Iun$ess you>d prefer wa$$paperF>
I&o, ) hate wa$$paper,> she shook her head 'ost
%igorous$y# ndy chuck$ed# IPaint wi$$ be fine# 4e>$$ pick out
co$ours as soon as possib$e,> she affir'ed with another nod#
I&ice curtains,> he co''ented sarcastica$$y#
I<ery dro$$,> she 3uipped $ooking at her te'porary bed
sheets that acted as curtains for her first night in the new
house# Inother thing ) need to get around to today#> They
$ooked out the window at the po$ice $oading bags into the boot
of the car# )t sat on the street $ike a beacon# I) sure ha%e 'ade
an entrance in the street ha%en>t ):> she said sad$y# ndy
s3uee(ed her hand#
IDon>t worry about it# 4e>d better go downstairs,> he said
re$uctant$y, Iin case the po$ice need to get going# *ooks $ike
they>%e a$'ost finished out there#> 2he nodded s$ow$y# IGou
can show 'e the $ounge,> he s'i$ed at her as she descended
the stairs#
IThat>s the $argest roo',> she said, Ido you think we
shou$d start thereF>
I)f you $ike, it>s up to you#>
To the $eft of the front door and base of the staircase was
the $ounge# )t was a $arge roo', stretching fro' the front bay
window, again with a seat, back towards the +rench doors
where the house origina$$y stopped# The +rench doors $ooked
o$d, their fra'es in need of a new %arnish# Beyond the doors
was the conser%atory that present$y sat e'pty, its $arge waist
height g$ass pane$s and cei$ing in dire need of a wash and
po$ish# 2ophie inspected it spanning fro' the far wa$$
ad@oining the neighbour>s house to the edge of the $i%ing roo'D
it was certain$y i'pressi%e#
Pieces of furniture sat in the 'idd$e of the roo' $ike
odd'ents# The carpet was dark and co%ered the entire roo'
and the ha$$way b$ending up the staircase to the $anding abo%e#
round the window seat in the bay at the front of the house
so'e cushions had been $eft o%er by the c$earance 'en# 2ophie
took a seat in the window and $ooked out into the gra%e$
dri%eway where her car sat contented$y#
I5r, Miss,> the po$ice sergeant>s %oice carried $oud$y fro'
the ha$$way#
IGes,> she said, popping out into the ha$$way and fee$ing
'uch better# The whisky 'ust ha%e kicked in#
I)>%e so'e bad news for you )>' afraid#>
I9ther than the hu'an re'ains in 'y gardenF> her
eyebrows arched in 'ock surprise# I2urprise 'e, don>t te$$ 'e
you>%e found so'e other gris$y thing out thereF>
I&ot 3uite Miss, but ) ha%e to te$$ you it $ooks $ike the
re'ains of two peop$e, not one# 'a$e and a fe'a$e we think
but we>$$ know 'ore once our $ab has had a chance to go o%er
the re'ains#>
2ophie fe$t faint and 'ade a 'o%e for the botto' stair#
I)t>$$ be a few days Miss but we>$$ get back to you soon as
we can# )n the 'eanti'e, p$ease try not to go into the garden,
@ust in case we need to dig o%er any'ore># 2ophie nodded at
hi' word$ess$yD it was the $ast p$ace she wanted to go# Dig
so'e 'ore: Did they think it was a 'ass gra%e or so'ethingF
I4e>$$ be ca$$ing on a forensic archaeo$ogist for this one )
reckon,> the sergeant assured her bo$d$y# I) wou$dn>t be
surprised if they pu$$ed out a$$ the stops#>
I4hyF> ndy asked
I4e$$ the shoe and the scarf we found date back to the
twenties or ear$y thirties# *ooks $ike whoe%er they were,
they>%e been there for 3uite a whi$e,> he e;p$ained# IThere are
a few other frag'ents of c$othes we can go on too# Don>t
worry though, we>$$ be taking e%erything away with us now
but p$ease $ike ) said, don>t go into the garden#>
IEight, yes of course,> she 'anaged to sigh# IThank you,
sergeant#>
IB$i'ey, )>' dreading the paperwork ) can te$$ youD @ust
think how 'any 'issing persons they>$$ be dating a$$ that
da'ned way back:>
I)ndeed,> 2ophie said sarcastica$$y# I) e;pect you>$$
'anage,> she sighed# Thick skinned she thought, straight o%er
his head#
I9h one $ast thing, Miss,> the officer spun back around,
ha$f way out the front door# IGou>%e no idea who they 'ight
be ) supposeF>
-.
th
March -.." )ssue &o !8-!
AT(''D #H)'NI#*E
Bodies Beneath The *awn:
2ke$etons ha%e been unearthed fro' beneath the $awn of a
$oca$ property# *oca$ po$ice ha%e kept the new owner of the
property out of the garden now for near$y a week#
The ske$etons are said to ha%e been buried at $east fifty-
fi%e years pre%ious$y, $ong before the current owner of the
property was in residence#
The ske$etons are yet to be identified as 'a$e or fe'a$e but
it is thought that one is 'ost certain$y a young 'a$e# t present
po$ice are treating the deaths as suspicious a$though suspects
are a $ong way off, according to a $oca$ source who wished to
re'ain anony'ous# BThe re'ains ha%e yet to be attached to
anybody registered as 'issing so the cause of death is not a
priority at the 'o'ent, a$though it wi$$ ob%ious$y be
in%estigated thorough$y in ti'e# The first thing to do is
estab$ish who these peop$e were:C
2pokeswo'an for the $oca$ po$ice constabu$ary, 4PC
C$arke, c$ai's that the ske$etons are of great i'portance to the
understanding of $oca$ history# B4hen peop$e go 'issing it is
often their re$ati%es or c$ose friends who report their absence,
but there are peop$e out there without anybody who wou$d
'iss the' i''ediate$y, and that>s where these sorts of finds
can he$p# 9ften these indi%idua$s are reported 'issing when it
is 'uch too $ate for po$ice to act in an effecti%e way#C
)f you can he$p with the in%estigation in any way contact
your $oca$ po$ice station, good $uck to our di$igent po$ice force#
They certain$y ha%e their work cut out with this one: