Ann Purser - Threats At Three

His sister burst out into raucous laughter. “You? Fresh air? A likely story! The only fresh air you’re likely to get is in a high-walled exercise yard. You had a good job gardening in the fresh air, anyway, and you made a mess o’ that. Now, what d’you want to eat? I got bacon and eggs. Black pudden? Then I’m off out. It’s my morning in the Oxfam shop. Me and Mrs. Wilson do Friday mornings.”

She brought in a fragrant plateful, and turned to go. Then she said, “Oh, have they found that missing kid? Here, let’s have a look at the paper before I go.”

“Yeah, he’s back home. No details. I bet he just went absent without leave for fun. Kids these days don’t think of nothing but themselves.”

After his sister had gone, he looked again to make sure there were no hints of abduction or foul play. The kid was home again, and should be left in peace with his mother in Long Farnden.

So the little sod had said nothing, or made up some story to satisfy the police. Not such a bad kid after all, then. But then, he’d been told what would happen if he blabbed, and even though his father had deserted him, he must have some feeling for the man who’d sired him. He wouldn’t want him hurt, would he? It was a blinding nuisance that everything had gone wrong, but the outcome could have been worse. All right, so he hadn’t been able to find Hickson and demand what he supposed would have been called a ransom. More of a deal, he reckoned. You pay up, and you can have your son back. If not… Well, it hadn’t worked out. He hadn’t reckoned on the kid being such a slippery little bastard. And Hickson would have been witless with worry. That would have to be enough, for the moment.

The fry-up was good, and he licked the plate clean. Nobody would be looking for him, luckily, and he had work to do, people to see, connections to make.

FARNDEN HAD QUIETENED DOWN, ALTHOUGH THERE WERE still one or two unfamiliar cars parked near the Hickson house. Josie came out of the shop to bring in the buckets of flowers that had not been sold. Only two bunches left. That was good. Maybe Mum would like a bunch, and one for Gran. She had still made a profit.

“Evening, Josie!” A fresh-faced policeman approached, and Josie grinned.

“Hi, Matthew!” she said. “You’re still on duty I see. Busy day in Farnden for your lot. Still, it’s good news, isn’t it. Young Jack home safe again. We’ll all sleep easier tonight.”

“What are you doing later? I’m finished here now, and just have to go home and change. Fancy a meal at the pub in Waltonby? New management, apparently, and the food is really good. What do you say?”

Josie beamed. “Wonderful idea,” she said. “I think we all need a bit of a treat, after the last forty-eight hours. I hope Paula Hickson is able to relax, poor soul.”

“Your mother’s just gone in to see her. We had instructions from Hunter… special permission…” His smile was knowing, and Josie looked crossly at him. “That’s quite enough of that, PC Vickers,” she said. “Go away and forget you’re a policeman, and I’ll be ready in an hour. Oh, and love you, as the kids say.”

LOIS HAD FELT CONSPICUOUS AS SHE MADE HER WAY UP PAULA’S garden path. Those unfamiliar cars were not casual callers. They were on the watch. She supposed Cowgill was expecting Jack’s father to show up sooner or later, though she did not agree. Surely he would stay well out of the way? Unless, of course, it had not been him who’d taken Jack.

“Mrs. M! Come on in. Am I glad to see you! It’s been such a day, and we’re all at sixes and sevens. I apologise for the mess and muddle…”

“Don’t be silly, Paula. Here, let me give you a hand. Two New Brooms should make quick work of this lot!”

Frankie was duly tucked up into his cot, and the twins were bathed and sat like angels in their pajamas drinking hot milk. Jack Jr. was nowhere to be seen, and Lois did not ask. She would find out soon enough.

“He’s asleep again,” Paula said, without being asked. “After talking to that nice policewoman, he was really tired. Not eating anything yet. So I thought the best thing was to let him sleep.”

“Quite right,” said Lois. “He’ll get his appetite back soon enough. Did he talk to you at all, after the policewoman had gone?”

Paula shook her head. “No, not really. But…” She hesitated, frowning.

“But what?”

“Well, I’m not sure, Mrs. M, that what he told the policewoman was the truth. I know I shouldn’t doubt my own son, but you know what he’s like. It all came out smooth and pat, like he’d rehearsed it. I’ve got to know over the years when he’s lying.”

“And you think he was lying this time?”

Paula nodded, her lips clamped together. Lois saw that she was again on the verge of tears, and changed the subject.

“Oh, by the way, Gran sends her love,” she said. “Wants to know if there’s anything she can do. She can be a nice old thing, sympathetic and not too nosy. That is, if she really tries!” She chuckled, and Paula’s pale face broke into a smile. “It feels like the first time I’ve laughed for months,” she said. The sound of footsteps coming downstairs caused her expression to change. She turned to the door, where Jack Jr. stood yawning. “Ah, here he is,” she said. “I hope we didn’t wake you, luvvie. Would you like something to eat now?”

He didn’t answer for a few seconds, but stared at Lois. Then he said perhaps he’d try a sandwich.

“Ham?” said Paula. Jack shook his head.

“Chocolate spread?” said Lois, and there was a glimmer of a smile.

“Cor, yeah. We got any, Mum?” he said.

Paula went into the kitchen to prepare the sandwich, and Lois suggested Jack should sit down and chat for a minute or two. He looked at her suspiciously, but perched on the edge of the sofa.

“I got a rocket from Derek,” Lois said casually. “For not locking my van. Still, it was a good job I didn’t. You were completely knackered.”

“I could’ve managed,” he answered. “Plenty of traffic along that road.”

“Glad you feel so grateful,” said Lois with raised eyebrows. “Come on, Jack, give a little.”

The chocolate sandwich arrived, and Jack began to eat, nibbling at first, but then wolfing it down. “Can I have another, Mum,” he said.

“Please,” said Lois, automatically.

Jack stood up, upsetting his plate. “Shut up!” he shouted. “You’re not my mum, nor anything to do with me. You got no right to come in here asking me questions about what happened!”

Lois gazed at him calmly. “I haven’t asked you a single question about that,” she said. “Anyway, I haven’t time to waste. I must be going, Paula. Let me know if you need anything. Shall I tell Gran you’ll be in touch?”

Paula frowned. “Sorry about-well-you know… Thanks a lot for coming round, and for everything. I’ll be back at work very soon, I hope.”

ON HER WAY HOME, LOIS SAW THE ADSTONE CAR GO BY AT SPEED, and realised there were meetings happening all round the village, organising last minute details for the soap box grand prix. It was going ahead now, with only one week to go, and there was great relief that it would not be overshadowed by a missing child from the village. Should she be at one of these meetings? Ah, well, if there was a WI one, they could do without her. The soap box was finished, and now parked up at the hall being test driven by Mrs. T-J. She hoped the old girl wouldn’t crash too many times. After all, a jar of jam is vulnerable.

“How were they?” Gran said, as she came into the kitchen.