Kerry Tombs - The Malvern Murders

‘You’re a dark fellow Crabb. I was not aware that you were married.’

Crabb smiled, opened the front door of the little cottage and indicated that Ravenscroft should step inside.

‘Ah there you are Jennie my dear. This is Mister Ravenscroft.’

‘Mister Ravenscroft. My Tom has told me all about you. It is a pleasure to meet you sir’. The speaker was a thin rosy cheeked woman, of homely appearance, who curtsied as they entered the tiny room. Ravenscroft estimated her to be around twenty years of age, and knew straight away that he would like her.

‘I said that Mister Ravenscroft would be welcome to share our meal with us, especially as I know that you always cooks more than enough my dear.’

‘My dear Mrs Crabb, this is frightfully unjust of your husband to suddenly impose myself upon you,’ said Ravenscroft shaking her hand.

‘We would be delighted of your company sir. Tom is quite correct when he says I always cook too much. He often chides me, saying that he will be twice the size he is now, by the time he is thirty, if I carries on the same way,’ she laughed. ‘You would be more than welcome sir.’

‘That would be most kind of you,’ replied Ravenscroft.

‘Well sir. If you would like to give me your coat, and then sit at the table, I’ll get us a drink,’ said Crabb.

Ravenscroft looked around the welcoming room, with its neat, tidy furnishings and the warm fire which glowed in the hearth. Jennie disappeared into the kitchen, as Crabb poured out two mugs of ale from an earthenware pitcher. ‘There you are sir. Taste that and tell me what you think.’

‘Uncommonly good, and certainly welcome after all our travels today. Have you been married long?’

‘Just six months sir.’

‘And how did you come to be here at Malvern? I thought you were bought up on a farm near Evesham?’ asked Ravenscroft sitting back in his chair.

‘Indeed I was sir. But our farm did not provide enough work for the two of us, so my elder brother took over the farm when my father died three years ago and he now runs it with my mother. I saw a job going with the Evesham constabulary and applied and worked there for a while. Then I married my Jennie, and they said there was this police cottage here at Malvern Wells, so we moved here just four months ago.’

‘Malvern seems a strange place, full of doctors and water cure patients,’ said Ravenscroft taking another mouthful of his ale.

‘Very stuck in its ways sir, is Malvern. Very conservative it is in all respects, and the same group of people — Pitzer, Touchmore, Sommersby, Gladwyn and their friends seem to run everything. Nothing much seems to happen here, until now of course with this murder. I am only thankful that you were on that train sir, as I don’t think I could have conducted a murder enquiry on my own.’

‘I’m sure you would have managed.’

‘Tis certainly a strange affair, no mistaking it sir. Everyone says that Pitzer didn’t have any enemies, yet our reverend gentleman says that Pitzer had had a disagreement with this Armitage fellow over the accounts.’

‘Now Tom put your police talk on one side, whilst we have our meal.’ said Jennie returning from the kitchen, carrying a large steaming saucepan, which she set down upon the table.

‘You are quite right, Mrs. Crabb, we policemen have a habit of taking our cases home with us. My that smells incredibly good,’ said Ravenscroft leaning forwards.

‘My Jennie makes the best mutton stew in the whole of Malvern,’ said Crabb hastily tucking a napkin under his necktie.

‘Only Malvern! Why Tom Crabb, you said Worcestershire last week,’ laughed Jennie ladling out the food into their bowls.

‘Nay, why stop at Worcestershire, when there is the whole of the county to be fed! Let Mr. Ravenscroft be the judge of your fine dish.’

‘My, that is incredibly good,’ said Ravenscroft tasting the dish, ‘I swear it is the best thing I have eaten since I have been here in Malvern.’

Crabb gave his wife a wink.

‘Mr. Ravenscroft is staying at the Tudor my dear.’

‘Oh, you poor man, you must be quite starved Mister Ravenscroft.’

‘Doctor Mountcourt does not believe in providing generous helpings of food for his guests. He declares the frugal fare to be part of the treatment! The place is quite miserable. What few patients there are, do not seem to be enjoying the experience. But enough of the Tudor, this really is quite excellent Mrs. Crabb.’

‘Then you shall have some more sir,’ said Jennie ladling more of the mixture into Ravenscroft’s bowl.

‘I will certainly not refuse. Tell me, if I am not being impolite, but how did you and Tom meet?’ asked Ravenscroft taking another mouthful of the warming food.

‘Jennie and I lived in the same village. We went to the same school together. I always knew that she was the girl for me, although it took me a while to persuade her to marry me. But I tells you Mister Ravenscroft, I have never regretted it. Not one day have I ever woken up and regretted my choice. She is the finest, most handsome, noblest woman for miles around,’ said Crabb proudly.

‘Stop! Tom, your embarrassing me,’ interrupted Jennie, looking down at her bowl and turning a bright red.

‘I admire your certainty and commitment,’ replied Ravenscroft.

‘And are you married sir?’ asked Jennie.

‘Jennie my love we should not ask our guests such questions,’ said Tom reprimanding his wife.

‘I’m so sorry sir, my inquisitive nature sometimes gets the better of me,’ said Jennie looking crestfallen.

‘I do not mind answering. No. There is no Mrs. Ravenscroft. There was someone some years ago, with whom I formed a close attachment, but she went away before I could decide that I cared for her.’

‘That is very sad,’ said Jennie looking across into Ravenscroft’s eyes.

‘Sometimes we realise that we have failed to make the best of the opportunities that are offered to us, and it is only later — often much later — that we regret our lack of resolve.’

‘And what happened to her, if I may be so bold, as to ask you sir,’ inquired Jennie.

‘She went to Australia, and I never saw her again,’ replied Ravenscroft turning away.

‘Perhaps she will come back one day,’ suggested Jennie.

‘I would doubt it. She is probably married by now and is the mother of ten handsome lively children. You should have children Crabb. Malvern and its hills would be a fine place to bring up children.’

‘Strange you should say that sir — ’ began Crabb, but his wife interrupted him.

‘Tom, please!’

‘I don’t cares if I tells the whole world! My dearest Jennie is expecting our first child in six months’ time,’ said Crabb proudly.

‘That is splendid news. I do congratulate you both. I’m sure you will both make admirable parents,’ said Ravenscroft leaning across the table and shaking the hands of his host and hostess.

‘Thank you sir,’ replied Jennie going a deeper shade of red.

‘Your children will certainly be well fed! This is the best thing that has happened to me in this town since I arrived here. I have never tasted food as good as this, even in London,’ said Ravenscroft emptying his bowl.

‘Stop sir, your embarrassing me again,’ laughed Jennie.

They were suddenly interrupted by a banging on the front door.

‘If you will excuse me sir, I’ll just go and see who that is,’ said Crabb rising from the table.

‘Your husband enjoys his work?’ asked Ravenscroft. He could hear Crabb talking to someone at the front door.

‘Tom enjoys being out and about,’ replied Jennie, ‘And yes, he likes his work sir.’

Crabb returned to the room, studying a piece of paper, and looking very solemn.