Simon Brett - The Stabbing in the Stables

The question seemed to take Sonia by surprise. “Yes,” she replied formally. “He’s very fond of them.”

“But, going back to the Pottons’ divorce…”

“I don’t know much about it, really. Just that it’s proving very difficult to everyone involved. And of course they’ll both suffer financially. I mean, before the marriage broke up, there was talk of them buying a pony for Imogen-you know, she’d had riding lessons at Long Bamber, she was very keen…but no chance of that now. Alec-Alec Potton works as a salesman of some kind-fitted kitchens, I think-so they never had much. And with the divorce happening, there’s certainly no spare cash. Which is another reason why I feel I shouldn’t make a fuss about Immy riding Conker, in spite of the way I know Alice and Laura will react and…” Sonia Dalrymple shook her perfectly coiffed blond hair in exasperation. “God, everything’s so bloody complicated.”

“Yes, but surely-”

Jude was silenced by a finger to Sonia’s lips and a nod towards the door from the utility room, where Imogen was just entering.

“Conker all settled, is she?”

“Yes, Mrs. Dalrymple. She wanted me to stay.”

“Well, you must come and ride her another day.”

“Can I come tomorrow?”

Sonia looked flustered. If she wanted to wean Imogen off riding Conker before her daughters’ term finished, the task wouldn’t be an easy one. “I’m not quite sure what I’m doing tomorrow, Imogen.”

“You don’t have to be here. It’s Saturday. I’m off school. And I know where everything is.”

Jude observed the set-to with amusement. Imogen Potton was a very strong-willed young woman, but Sonia Dalrymple’s experience with her daughters had taught her how to stand up to strong-willed young women.

“No, I’m sorry. I’m afraid I can’t allow you to ride Conker when I’m not here.”

“But, Mrs. Dalrymple, you let me when she was up at Long Bamber.”

“That’s different. There are people up there keeping an eye on things. Mr. and Mrs. Fleet…well, Mrs. Fleet now. And her helpers, and other riders. It’s totally different here.”

“Oh, I-”

“Imogen, I’m sorry. You have to obey me on this. You are not to ride Conker unless I am here. If you had a fall, I’d be responsible.”

The words were said with finality, but as Jude had expected, Imogen wasn’t going to be silenced that easily.

“But I won’t have a fall. Conker knows me. She behaves when she’s with me, Mrs. Dalrymple.”

“Imogen, I don’t want to have to say this again. You are not to ride Conker unless I am here. Apart from anything else, you couldn’t get her saddle and tack if the house was closed.”

“But I could borrow some-”

“No. I am telling you you are not to ride her unless I am here! And if I find out you have been disobeying me on that, I will stop you riding her altogether. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Mrs. Dalrymple,” the girl mumbled.

For a moment there was a silence. But Jude was unsurprised when Imogen came back again. “So, what, can I ring you tomorrow lunchtime, see if it’s all right?”

Sonia looked flustered. “Well, er…I’m not sure exactly where I’ll be at lunchtime tomorrow. Maybe it’d be better if you left it a couple of days.”

“I’ll ring you lunchtime tomorrow,” said Imogen firmly, and with satisfaction. She reckoned she’d won the round. Then, remembering her manners, she added, “And thank you very much for letting me ride Conker today.”

“My pleasure. Now, as you see, Jude and I are having some tea and cake. Shall I get you a cup?”

“No, thank you. I’d better get home.”

“But you can’t go home on your own.”

“It’s fine. I walked here. I’m only in Fethering. It’s not far.”

“When you walked here, it wasn’t pitch dark.”

“But, Mrs. Dalrymple-”

“No.” Sonia sighed. “I’ll give you a lift. Just let me finish my cup of tea.”

“I don’t want to be any trouble.”

“Tell you what,” Jude interposed. “I’m walking back to Fethering. I’ll see you home, Imogen.”

The girl didn’t look enthusiastic, but Sonia leapt on the idea with relief. “Yes, that’s a very good solution.”

“Where do you actually live, Imogen?” asked Jude.

“River Road,” came the sulky reply.

“Perfect. It’s on my way. I live in the High Street.”

“Well, Imogen, now that’s settled, will you have a cup of tea?”

“No, thank you, Mrs. Dalrymple. I really should be getting back. Mum worries.”

“She’d worry more if she thought you were walking round on your own in the dark.”

“She wouldn’t care.”

“Oh, I’m sure she would.”

Jude decided it was time to halt the development of another disagreement. Draining her tea and picking up her coat, she announced that she was ready to leave. “Have a look at Chieftain in the morning. Try walking him around a bit. Though I’m afraid you’re unlikely to find much improvement.”

“I’ll live in hope. Now what do I owe you?”

Jude raised a hand to banish the idea. “You can pay me if he gets better. If not, don’t worry.”

“Paying by results? Is that how most healers work?”

“It’s how I work.”

“All right. If you insist.”

“I do. Anyway, many thanks for the tea, and good to see you.”

“Yes. And I’ll give you a call about…” In the presence of Imogen, Sonia Dalrymple was embarrassed about her client status with Jude and didn’t want to discuss the details of her next appointment.

“Yes, fine,” said Jude, understanding immediately. “Well, Imogen, shall we be on our way?”

The television chat show that Carole wouldn’t admit to anyone she watched was beginning to exercise quite a strong hold over her. Though the idea appalled her, she was conscious of beginning to schedule her day around the programme. Oh dear, she was becoming old and set in her ways. Part of the afternoon elderly, target market for all those stairlifts, annuities and walk-in baths they kept advertising in the commercial breaks.

Carole felt little guilt about her secret vice. She enjoyed the programme and there was nothing wrong with that-so long as nobody ever found out she was actually watching it.

But even her favourite chat show could not completely eradicate from her mind the unease planted there by her nonconversation with her daughter-in-law. Stephen and Gaby hadn’t yet been married six months-surely things hadn’t soured that quickly?

Maybe Carole would have to ring Stephen and question him about the situation. It wasn’t a prospect she relished.

Her programme came to an end, and Carole stayed to watch the news. That was an indulgence she could always justify. It was important, as one got older, to keep abreast of current affairs. That night’s offerings weren’t very edifying-more people killed in pointless international wars and intractable civil ones, a minor royal committing yet another gaffe, the government setting up another target destined never to be attained. The mixture as before.

It wasn’t until the local news came on that there was an item to surprise Carole. And the surprise wasn’t a pleasant one. The previous night two mares had been slashed at with knives at a stable yard in West Sussex. The incident had taken place west of Horsham, some way away from Fedborough and Long Bamber Stables, but the news was still unsettling.

Jude had an exceptional knack of getting people to talk to her. Even the most buttoned-up individuals usually succumbed after a few minutes to the easiness of her company. But she made very little headway with Imogen Potton.

As they walked back along the Fether through the gathering dusk, overtures about school, tastes in music and television, even her beloved Conker, were cut short by curt monosyllables. The girl kept just to the right side of rudeness, but she left no doubt that she’d rather be on her own. Her instinct was to run off and leave Jude; only the fear of her behaviour being reported to Sonia Dalrymple and ending her riding rights prevented her from doing so.