Iain arrived back early, swinging Ginger round in his arms before she could say a word and then kissing her soundly. ‘Traffic was a dream, for once.’
‘Good. I can get tea ready in a few minutes if you’re hungry because I made a casserole in my trusty crockpot this morning.’ The gadget was well used, one of her favourite ways of cooking when she was facing a busy day, and also providing extra portions to put in her freezer.
‘Let’s have a drink first while I unwind. Wine or beer? I brought both.’
‘Wine, please.’
He began opening the bottle. ‘My uncle sends his congratulations and is very pleased that I’ve found someone. I’ve promised we’ll FaceTime him in a day or two so that I can introduce you. I’ll have to phone first to check that he’s got his tablet switched on, though. He’s like me, prefers real people to images.’
He poured two glasses of wine then fumbled in his pocket. ‘Nearly forgot. He sent this, says it’s a little engagement present for you to buy something for the house.’
The envelope had her name scrawled on it in shaky handwriting and when she opened it she found a voucher for so much money she could only gasp and look at Iain in shock. ‘It’s too much.’
‘He’s not short of a few pennies. I’ll take you down to meet him next time I go. He’s eighty-six and doing very well for his age.’
‘He’ll be the second of your relatives I’ll be meeting. I wish—’ She didn’t finish her sentence and when he gave her hand a squeeze she knew he understood she was thinking of her son. For all the good that did.
After a couple more sips, he said, ‘I’d better warn you now: there will be plenty more meetings with my relatives. I’ve got all sorts of cousins scattered around the south-west and we keep in touch.’
He set his glass down and took hold of her hand again, such a loving look on his face that she was sure her heart really did skip a few beats.
‘How long do you want to be engaged for, Ginger? I’ll wait till you’re ready to marry, of course I will, but for me, the sooner we’re properly together the better. I shall be proud to call you my wife.’
Tears of joy welled in her eyes. ‘We’d better decide on a date and do the deed, then, though let’s have a quiet wedding, eh, not a big fuss?’ She was glad he’d brought it up first.
‘Good girl. I don’t care how we get married as long as we do the deed.’ He raised his glass at her and winked, then kissed away a happy tear that had escaped her control.
After the meal, he said, ‘Look, I’ll bring more plants tomorrow evening, two for each house, to replace those that have been killed, even for Cutler’s house. That’ll flummox him, because if it’s me doing it, he won’t be sure whether it’s at Angus’s bidding or not.’
‘That’d be great.’
‘But I don’t at all like the idea of someone prowling around when I’m away. Will you please promise me you’ll go and sleep at my house if I have to stay overnight anywhere in future?’
She nodded. When you didn’t know what you were facing, it was better to play safe. But it upset her that this had blown up just as she was settling in.
‘And if you don’t mind, we’ll sleep at my house tomorrow night, because I want to show you a few things and discuss any changes you might like to make.’
‘What things?’
He grinned. ‘Wait and see.’
The outside lights came on suddenly around one o’clock in the morning and Iain woke as the light shone through the window into his eyes. He sat up in bed, glad he’d drawn the curtains back in case this happened as well as annoyed at being disturbed.
‘Oh, hell. Can’t a man have one night in peace?’ he muttered.
He didn’t switch the bedroom light on but looked out of the window and scanned the back garden. Nothing to be seen.
He slipped through into the shop and keeping to one side, stared out of the window at the front of the houses. There was a figure edging past. Surely it was … yes, Cutler. What was he doing out at this hour? Was he the prowler?
Iain watched as their neighbour moved past. He waited as the scrawny little weasel stood watching something. He looked in that direction too. Was it his imagination or could he see another figure in the shadows of the little grove at the end of the street?
No, it wasn’t his imagination. There was definitely a figure there, moving away now, slipping from one dark shadow to another, but in places moonlight fell on some part of his body so it was possible to tell he was there, moving. Well, Iain assumed it was a fellow, but you couldn’t tell for sure at that distance.
He waited till there were no more signs of the figure. Whoever it was must have left now.
As Cutler came back, Iain moved even deeper into the shadows at the side of the big room.
‘Who was it?’ Ginger whispered from behind him.
‘That was Cutler, but I saw another fellow too. Cutler seemed to be watching him.’
‘Were they together?’
‘I didn’t see them together or even signalling to one another. I don’t think the one in the distance knew he was being followed.’
‘Let’s go back to bed. I don’t know if I can get to sleep, though.’
But she did, cuddled in his arms.
In the morning someone knocked on the front door of the gallery and Iain went to answer it.
‘Cutler, isn’t it?’
‘Yes. I thought I saw movement near the end house. Did you see the security lights go on last night?’
‘Yes. And I saw you creeping down the street.’
‘That’s because there was a prowler. Fine caretaker Ginger is. She should have been on to that.’
‘She isn’t the caretaker, as you’ve been told before, and I don’t like your tone. If you speak about my future wife like that again in my hearing, I’ll take great offence.’ He raised one clenched fist and slapped it into his other hand for emphasis, letting that unspoken threat sink in before continuing, ‘But since I was here, I came out of the flat to see what was going on. All I saw was you creeping around, then going back into your house, and another figure in the distance.’
‘The other figure was the prowler. I happen to live here. And if she has no responsibility for this sort of thing, I’m calling Denning about it. He should have better security set up for us than this. The carvings I produce are valuable.’
‘Why didn’t you call Angus last night?’
‘The prowler went away. I stayed up to check, but he didn’t come back.’ Cutler’s scowl deepened. ‘Have you moved in with her permanently? Does Denning know? I thought this place was for artists, not gardeners!’
Without waiting for an answer he went back inside his house.
Nasty little oik, Iain thought, using his old uncle’s favourite word for a person he disliked and distrusted.
He’d make sure Ginger spent tonight with him at his house. She’d looked tired yesterday and now she’d had another broken night. It wouldn’t do. He’d tell Angus himself that she needed a rest and someone else should be found to keep watch on Saffron Lane, if he felt it was needed.
In fact, he’d do it straight away.
Angus answered the phone and listened to what Iain said. He agreed to look into it and try to do something about the problem permanently.
When the call was over, Angus was about to explain what had happened to Nell but another call came in. This time it was Cutler, telling him the same thing as Iain in a much less polite way, and complaining about the lack of security, as if he expected his every wish to be granted.
Angus had heard people refer to this as ‘the entitled generation’. He wasn’t sure he agreed for everyone, but the description certainly fitted Cutler.
After he’d tried to reassure the fellow and failed, Cutler put the phone down with a bang. Damn him! Could he not even be polite?
After a few moments’ thought, Angus decided to discuss the situation with Emil, because he could only think it must be something about the secret room that was attracting attention. What else could it be? He phoned him to explain what had happened, invited Kinnaird to drop in for a coffee to discuss what they could do, and went to warn Nell that a visitor was on the way.
It took Emil only ten minutes to get there. He frowned when Angus explained in more detail about the prowler. ‘We can’t have that. Apart from anything else, I’d hate to see anything happen to Ginger. I really like her.’
‘We do, too,’ Nell said. ‘So what are we going to do about this? Set a trap?’
Emil said at once, ‘Well, we can’t let this person continue to upset her. We or the police do have to catch him at it.’
‘And the police are not going to waste officers on the mere possibility of such a minor incident,’ Nell said.
‘Exactly.’ Angus eyed Emil in an assessing way. ‘You look as if you could stand up for yourself in a fight.’
‘Ah. Well, I could before I had this health problem and I will be able to again. But at the moment—’
Emil saw them looking puzzled and knew he couldn’t hide his reasons if he was to retain their respect. ‘I’m just recovering from major surgery.’ It was hard to say the word, because he didn’t like telling people, but he forced it out. ‘Cancer. They think they caught it all, but I have to take things a bit easy physically for a few months.’
‘Then of course we won’t involve you in anything dangerous. I’ll ask Iain to keep watch with me. He’s a strong fellow and he’ll want to make sure Ginger is safe.’
‘I could help with the watching, at least. I could occupy Ginger’s flat, if she doesn’t mind, and keep watch at the back while you watch the front.’ Emil nodded decisively. ‘Yes, I could at least do that.’
‘And you’re not leaving me out of this, Angus Denning,’ Nell put in.
‘Look, love—’
‘I mean it.’
He gave her a quick hug. ‘OK. I’ll contact Iain and ask him to come round for a chat, see if he’d like to be involved. I’m not having whoever it is upsetting my tenants.’
That afternoon Ginger worked hard with Nell to finish setting out and stocking the café. There were still some things to buy, but they were getting there.
She had been going to raise the matter of the prowler with Nell, but they got engrossed in what they were doing and what other supplies they’d need to think about, so she didn’t get round to it.
Nell had originally suggested using interesting old chairs and tables for the café, but Ginger had managed to persuade her that they’d be too hard for staff to lug around. Thank goodness for that. It seemed obvious to her that they might want to use this space for gallery overflow when serving refreshments at events, or even for small groups to meet. This was another reason for having modern light furniture they could stack easily. And they could also use the chairs for audience seating at talks in the gallery.
‘You were right about the furnishings,’ Nell said studying the room. ‘You certainly know your stuff about cafés. These chairs and tables are easy to move and they look good.’
Ginger tried not to smile smugly but knew she’d failed. ‘Matching furniture always looks better, believe me.’
‘Did Iain tell you he’s meeting me here this afternoon to measure up and give me a quote for installing a patio with roof?’
‘Yes, he did mention it.’ He’d also told Ginger to pack an overnight bag so that he could take her back to his place afterwards. For once he hadn’t asked, he’d insisted, said he was worried about her safety and wanted to get a good night’s sleep.
Nell went to stroll up and down in the back garden, studying the corner formed by the L-shape of Number 1. ‘He doesn’t think it’ll be all that expensive to do a simple patio roof and it’ll certainly add to our seating area. Even in winter, some people like to sit outside. I can just imagine how it’ll look.’
She hesitated as they studied the café, then the outside area. ‘What do you think about allowing smoking out here?’
Ginger was comfortable enough with Nell to say, ‘Oh, please, no! Apart from it being a hazard to people’s health, it makes for a lot of clearing up and the smell lingers, whatever you do, which upsets the non-smokers. I think the stink it leaves behind would affect my flat, too, and it’d waft into the gallery and affect the soft toys and embroideries.’
‘I never thought of that. I should have done, but we’ve been busy and anyway, you know so much more about cafés than I do, I’ve been happy to leave some things to you. Um … has Angus spoken to you about tonight yet? He was going to phone.’
‘No. Is something wrong?’
‘He wants to set a trap for the prowler, and wondered if you’d let Emil keep watch from your flat. And he’s going to ask Iain to join him in the nearby grounds.’
‘Of course Emil can use my flat to keep watch, but why do they need Iain’s help? There was only one prowler.’
‘We have to keep Emil out of things, in case there’s any fighting and—’ She broke off as Iain came into the café to join them.
‘What’s that about fighting?’ he asked at once.
‘Hasn’t Angus spoken to you yet?’
‘No. He phoned and I’ve arranged to nip up to see him once I’ve finished here. He didn’t say exactly what he wanted.’
‘Well, don’t tell anyone but Angus wants to try to catch the prowler, only Emil is recovering from an operation and he hasn’t got to do anything strenuous, let alone get into fights. So Angus needs backup from someone else.’
Iain said at once, ‘I’m happy to help catch the prowler. I don’t like someone upsetting my Ginger.’
The two women exchanged long-suffering glances. ‘And you want to keep us both out of it because we’re such delicate blossoms?’ Ginger asked with an edge to her voice.
‘Are you any good in a fight, love?’
‘Not exactly, but—’
‘No buts, lass.’ He looked at Nell. ‘Ginger here is a slip of a thing, and you’re not a power figure, either.’
‘I suppose you’re right. But how about we both camp out at the big house tonight?’ Nell suggested. ‘Then we can feed our heroes after they’ve caught the prowler. OK with you, Ginger?’
‘Fine by me.’
They left Iain to measure up outside and Nell said in a low voice, ‘What’s the betting no one turns up tonight down here?’
‘They have done the last two nights.’
‘But they didn’t try to break in, did they? I bet you five pounds they won’t even turn up.’
‘I don’t normally gamble money, but I will bet you a box of chocolates on it.’
‘You’re on. Mind you, Angus will be disappointed if nothing happens, but I hope it doesn’t because I don’t want him risking himself. There’s such a possessive streak in him about Dennings, talk about being prepared to defend his own. Anyway, it’s settled. You and I will have a girls’ night up at the big house.’
She frowned then added, ‘How about we invite Elise and Stacy as well? That’ll get them out of the way in case things turn nasty.’
‘Great idea. They’re good company, anyway.’
‘The men are going to get in place before dark.’
‘They could be seen going there if it’s still light.’
‘No. Angus says they’ll use the tunnel entrance at Number 6 to get in. It leads to Number 1 via the secret room. He unlocked the door to the tunnel today.’
‘It’s like something in a crime novel. I can’t believe it’s happening. Surely it’s just vandals?’
‘I hope so. Angus is very angry underneath it all at someone daring to target his houses for any reason. Heaven help them if they do turn up. He says he’ll make sure they don’t want to try it again.’
‘He can get a very determined look on his face.’
‘Oh my, yes! Anyway, we’ll be ready to tend any wounded if something does happen.’
‘You’ve had experience of tending the wounded?’ Ginger asked with a grin.
‘After raising three sons? What do you think? My three got into scraps at the drop of a hat, especially when they were in their mid teens. Talk about needing to prove their manhood.’
‘I only have one son and he’s been in a few scraps in his time so I’ve had some practice, but probably not as much as you.’
She’d give Iain a good talking-to, though, about not asking for trouble and calling in the police if trouble turned up. She was glad he’d have Angus with him.
And Emil, too, and since he had to be careful, surely he’d be a calming influence?
When she’d first come to Saffron Lane, she’d expected it to be so peaceful here. But now, who could tell what was going to happen? All she knew was that she’d made friends with people who stood by one another, and it felt so very different to face things with such support.
The man kept watch on the houses from behind a fallen tree near the gate to the Denning estate. He didn’t intend to take any risks about this.
There was a car parked outside Number 1. He’d seen Mrs Denning get out and go into the gallery earlier. By using his binoculars he’d managed to catch glimpses through the connecting doorway of the two women setting things out in the back room, then walking all round the place, gesturing. So her presence didn’t seem anything to worry about, just normal work on the new café.
When he saw the van arrive, however, he stiffened. If that gardener fellow was going to stay the night with the woman who lived in the flat, things could become a little more difficult.
Mrs Denning came out and drove away. Good. One down.
Now what about the gardener and the woman who lived there?
But to his relief, when they came out some time later, the woman was carrying what looked like an overnight bag. As he watched them get into the van and drive off, he thumped his fist down on the soft earth in triumph. Yeah! That was one problem solved.
He’d continue to keep watch, though, to make sure no one came back to Number 1. And he’d keep an eye on the occupants of the other houses in the street, as well. The two female artists seemed to be early to bed types, but the guy at Number 4 could be a problem. The stupid fellow was up working at all hours of the day and night, or at least he had been the past two nights.
As afternoon turned into evening, the two women came out of the other houses. They seemed to be going out together because they both got into the younger one’s car and she drove off. Women didn’t usually stay out all that late, so it’d probably be better to do the job before they got back, or at least get in position ready to go for it.
He took out his phone and let the person who’d hired him know they were going to start earlier than planned.
‘Come and meet me in about an hour,’ he suggested.
‘Wouldn’t it be better to do this after it’s fully dark?’
‘No, it damned well wouldn’t. They’re all out now, except for that little twerp who carves wooden animals, and if necessary, I’ll deal with him.’ And he was fed up of lying here behind the fallen tree trunk, not to mention damp and stiff.
‘Ah. Well, remember, I don’t want anyone hurt.’
‘I know. You’ve said that several times already. I do understand English. Now, are we going to do the job or not?’
‘Um … yes. I must have that information.’
‘Then don’t forget to bring some cash. I want payment in advance and we’re not talking about bank transfers here.’
‘I won’t forget.’
‘See that you get here without being noticed. Pretend you’re using your phone as you walk, wear a scruffy hat and keep your head down.’
‘No need to repeat yourself. You already suggested that.’
‘I’ll be waiting for you where we agreed in an hour, then. Remember to stop and check that there’s no one around before you go into that area.’
‘Yeah, yeah!’
‘Get back to me if you see anything – anything at all – to suggest you’re being followed or observed.’
He scowled as he switched his phone to vibrate. He hated working with amateurs!