Peggy pushed the grey-green door open and was rewarded with a blast of warm, fragrant air. Once they were inside, Carole and Cookie indulged in a simultaneous shake to rid themselves of the fat raindrops that clung to them. Peggy grunted a greeting at Sarah and continued into the second room.
They all said their hellos as Peggy doffed her coat and hung it on one of the hooks behind Baz. She accepted Carole’s coat from her and hung it up next to the others.
Baz looked up from her embroidery. ‘You’re lucky you only caught a few seconds of that.’
Peggy grunted as she took her seat.
The bell chimed as the door opened again. Peggy groaned when a now-familiar face appeared.
Paul folded his umbrella and unzipped his raincoat, revealing a colourful bow tie. ‘Morning, ladies. I’ll just pop to the front and grab a cuppa before I stop for a chat.’ He frowned. ‘Er, can I get anyone anything?’ He put his coat on the back of a chair, which he dragged over next to Baz’s – the presumptuous git.
Baz winced as she stabbed herself with her needle. ‘Oh, that’s very kind. Thank you, Paul. Our drinks are on their way already.’ She held her hand in an awkward position – apparently endeavouring to simultaneously avoid dripping blood on her handiwork and hide the injury from Paul. She failed on both counts – judging both by his look of horror and Baz’s frantic dabbing at the embroidery once he’d left.
There was something off about the man; why did he keep showing up? Why was he so interested in the case? He didn’t seem to be particularly close to Eddie.
Judging by how jittery Baz got whenever he was around, Peggy wasn’t the only one who mistrusted him. She considered the matter as she opened her bag and pulled out her laptop. Trying not to re-read the words she’d written last night, she flexed her fingers a few times before resting them on the keyboard.
Will crossed his arms over himself. ‘Don’t try to deny it, Kitty. I saw you. I saw you with him with my own two eyes.’
Kit touched a finger to Will’s chest. ‘Me? With Ben Jonson? Surely you jest, Will! I’d sooner eat my own shoes. You know how I detest him. Surely you’ve mistaken me for someone else.’ A cheeky grin spread across his face. ‘Maybe you’ve tripped and fallen into one of your own plays.’
A few minutes later, Paul walked through the open doorway into the café’s second room, bearing a tray heavily laden with teapots and cups. ‘All righty. Sarah sent me through with your drinks. Let’s see what we’ve got here.’ He set his burden down and picked up a ceramic teapot. ‘These two are both breakfast tea. One for you, my lovely.’ He placed the pot in front of Baz with a coy smile and then picked up the identical pot. ‘And one for Carole.’
Peggy waved him away impatiently. ‘We’re perfectly capable of sorting ourselves out.’ She snapped up her espresso. As she gave it a quick stir, she breathed in the aromas: dark chocolate and caramel being the dominant ones.
When they’d all settled themselves and fixed their beverages to their liking, Peggy leant back in her chair. ‘Paul, why are you here?’
Paul plucked a speck off his knee and dropped it to the floor, where it was promptly inspected by Cookie. ‘Right. Of course. I should be respectful of your time. This is mainly a social call. But of course I also wanted to see if there’s been any progress in the case. The … er, the missing people. I, er…’
Peggy’s teeth were starting to grind.
Madge pulled her glasses down her nose and peered at Paul. ‘You’ve taken a great deal of interest in this case.’
‘Oh, yes, absolutely.’ Paul clapped. ‘I mean, these poor people had no one to look after them. Nothing’s being done – not by the police at any rate. What a shame – so sad.’
Madge breathed slowly. ‘Yes, yes. We know all that. What I mean is … we’ve spoken to quite a few people over the past few weeks. People who know Eddie, Wilson, Fifi, and the others. You – as near as I can tell – don’t really know any of them.’
‘Oh, I knew Eddie.’ Paul nodded vigorously. ‘And I’m sure I saw Fifi perform a time or two. I’m not sure I knew her to say hello in the street but—’
The door chime jangled and two familiar figures walked in. Paul didn’t seem to notice and kept blithering. One of the newcomers headed to the front counter, but the other ducked his head and came to join the women. At this rate, they’d never have a chance to discuss what progress they’d each made the night before.
‘Morning—’ Alas, Peter didn’t get any further than that.
Paul glanced up and then several things happened all at once. He released a shrill squeal before clambering out of his chair with no grace or dignity, knocking it over. His tea spilt. Baz’s croissant fell to the floor. Thankfully, the plate didn’t break – but the croissant disappeared under the table in suspicious circumstances. ‘Sorry, I just remembered … a thing … I have to…’ Paul ran out the door, crying.
Peggy cast a glance at Madge. That wasn’t suspicious at all.
‘Well.’ Peter bent to pick the plate and coffee mug up off the floor. ‘Was it something I said?’
‘I…’ Baz began. But then her voice trailed off. She scratched her head.
Peggy shrugged. ‘I’ve no idea what just happened but I think this is the best thing that’s ever happened to Cookie.’ The dog had finished his unexpected treat and emerged from under the table, where he licked up the remnants of Paul’s tea.
Madge pulled her glasses off and let them hang from the beaded chain around her neck. She looked up at her grandson. ‘Good morning, Peter.’
Uh oh. Peter was in trouble now. Madge subscribed to the view that the person arriving owed the people already present greetings and not the other way around.
Peter shook his head like he was trying to clear it. ‘Sorry, sorry. Good morning, Granny. Good morning, Aunties.’
Peggy grunted at the young man. Ever since he’d joined the Met, Carole mostly refused to acknowledge Peter.
Baz’s good knee bounced as she said hello. Peggy assumed she was worried about the instruction to stop investigating the case.
Peter smoothed his short dark curls. ‘Listen, about the other day. I’m really sorry. My sergeant asked me to have a chat with you off the record. It wasn’t my idea. Actually, I, er, I begged her to send someone else instead… But she said it had to be me or else it would have to be on the record.’
Madge reached out and patted Peter. ‘You’re a good boy, Peter. I know you’d never disrespect your elders like that unless someone forced your hand.’ She put her glasses back on.
He looked at Madge. ‘You’re not playing investigator anymore, right? You stopped like … they asked, yeah?’
Madge put on her most solemn expression and nodded. ‘Of course, Peter.’
Baz coughed and Peggy shot her a look. ‘I hope you’re not coming down with something, Baz.’
Madge pulled a pack of throat lozenges from her bag. ‘Pass these to Ms Spencer, would you please?’
Baz accepted the cough sweets from Peter without looking at him. ‘Thank you.’ She studied her fingers carefully as she unwrapped one.
‘Now.’ Madge set her bag back down. ‘To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit this morning?’
Peter chuckled. ‘Oh, nothing really. Keeley’s a bit of a coffee snob. She says you’ve got the best coffee in all of Lewisham. I think she’ll be dragging us in here pretty much every shift.’
Madge’s eyebrows arched. ‘While the young woman is undoubtedly correct, you shouldn’t need her to give you a reason to come see your granny.’
Peter looked like he wasn’t sure what to say, but just then his partner appeared at his side and offered him a reusable cup. ‘Morning, ladies. How’s everyone doing?’
‘We’re all fine, thank you,’ said Madge. ‘Keeley, right?’ When the officer nodded, Madge continued. ‘I hear I have you to thank for this Monday morning visit from my grandson.’
‘Well…’ Keeley smiled a dimply smile. ‘Training’s been rough. PC Ibeh’s a great teacher and all … but it feels like I’m constantly running to keep up with him. He makes everything look so easy. So when I saw how much he squirmed last week when he had to warn you off an active investigation… What can I say?’
After a quick glance at Peter, Keeley cleared her throat and raised her coffee mug. ‘Er, that is, Sarah makes a fine cup of coffee. I think you’ll be seeing more of us in here.’
‘Thank you,’ said Madge. ‘We use an award-winning local roastery. But the barista’s techniques and the equipment make a significant difference.’
Keeley tilted her head and bit her lip.
Peter looked at her and rolled his eyes. ‘Oh, didn’t they tell you? This isn’t just my grandmother’s favourite café, it’s a family affair. Granny and her friends co-own it.’ He waved in the direction of the main room laconically. ‘And that’s my auntie Sarah at the front counter.’
Keeley tossed her hands in the air. ‘Even better. We’re not just supporting an independent local business – we’re supporting your family. Win-win!’ She punched him in the arm, then turned back to the women, flashing a high-wattage grin. ‘With that, I think we’ll take our leave and get back on the streets, where we belong.’
Madge looked at her friends. ‘Well now, what in heaven’s name was that all about? With Paul, I mean.’
‘It was bizarre.’ Peggy frowned. ‘What an odd little man.’ An idea had been flitting around in her brain – but just out of her reach. It was so close, she could feel it.
Madge shook her head. ‘Very much so. And why is Paul so interested in what happened to these missing people? At every step of our investigation, he’s—’
Baz slapped her embroidery down into her lap. ‘I cannot believe the pair of you.’
Peggy exchanged a glance with Madge. ‘Baz, what on earth are you talking about?’
Baz drew in a breath but her face was getting redder by the second. ‘You, Madge. Not five minutes ago you promised that lovely young man that we wouldn’t interfere with an ongoing investigation. You looked him right in the eye and swore to him that we were no longer looking into the missing persons cases.’
Madge kissed her teeth and looked away.
Peggy bit her lip to keep from chuckling but Baz rounded on her. ‘And you, Peggy. How dare you! That man has been unfailingly kind to us. He’s been nothing but lovely since the moment we met him. You have been rude and abrupt and sarcastic. And why? Because he’s taking an interest in the disappearance of some vulnerable people caught up in suspicious circumstances? That’s all it takes to make you suspicious?’
Peggy inhaled sharply as the idea finally snapped into place.
Madge cocked her head. ‘What’s that?’
‘I’ve just realised something.’ Peggy tapped her chin. ‘Paul. Something about his manner has always struck me as odd. I’ve finally figured it out. It’s not only that he keeps wanting to worm his way into our investigation despite not knowing any of the victims very well, he’s also the only one who consistently refers to all the missing people in the past tense.’
Madge looked at the ceiling. ‘Hmm. That is odd.’
The four women sat in silence for a few minutes. Peggy had to admit, the signs were starting to point the same way. She watched out the corner of her eye as the flush slowly drained from Baz’s face.
Eventually Baz pinched her lips together. ‘Why was Paul so afraid of the police?’
‘Mmm hmm.’ Madge carried on knitting.
Baz swallowed. ‘And if Paul’s so concerned with the welfare of the missing people – as he claims… Then why hasn’t he reported their disappearances to the police?’ Her hand was trembling.
Peggy was warmed by the pride she felt as Baz started asking the important questions. ‘Why indeed?’
Madge looked up and frowned. ‘I think it’s time we pay a visit to Paul.’
Baz’s cup rattled as she poured herself more tea. ‘Erm.’ She took a breath. ‘I trust we’ve all learnt our lesson about accusing someone without hard evidence? You know … last time?’
Peggy paused. ‘We will go prepared for any outcome. But, yes, Baz.’ She nodded at her friend. ‘We will ferret out the truth before we … take action. I promise.’