‘Once I’ve got Mary’s things to her, I’ll see if I can go back to the lodge. But I’ll have to make a few calls to rearrange my day first. I need to check if the survey has been done for Nick for one thing.’
Shortly afterwards, Hattie and Rose set off for Mary’s house.
‘You’re quite sure Clive isn’t going to come back and catch us at it?’ asked Rose, not quite so willing to wield a large screwdriver as Hattie appeared to be.
‘I don’t care if he does,’ said Hattie. ‘He kidnapped Mary and put her in a home without her medication.’ She had halted her prowl round the outside of the house by the French doors. ‘In fact, it’s my bounden duty to break in. Although of course I will try not to make our entry visible. And I’ll only take what’s mine and what Mary needs.’
In spite of trying to be careful, there was a certain amount of splintering timber as she eased open the door. In fact, it turned out that the door was fairly rotten. The lock held, but the wood gave way easily. It was all a lot messier than Hattie had intended.
‘It’s a shame that Luke can’t come and repair that for us,’ she said, stepping into the house.
‘Can’t he?’ asked Rose, following her.
Hattie shook her head. ‘He’s away dealing with snagging on a job, and he’s not to know about this.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because he’d come back and fix it and we can manage without him. I don’t want him going to all that trouble. Now, Mary’s things. We’d better find a suitcase.’
‘And another for your things,’ said Rose.
‘Fortunately, I brought a suitcase when I moved in. All my other bits and pieces are in a friend’s stable.’
‘Another reason why you should find a home of your own,’ said Rose. ‘Stables aren’t a safe place really.’
‘True! I share mine with chickens and they do not stick to their half.’
‘No boundaries, chickens. Now, what’s on Mary’s list?’
When they thought they had everything that Mary had asked for, Hattie called her. ‘I’m in the house, Mary.’ She didn’t think Mary needed to know how they got in. She then listed everything she and Rose had got together for her. ‘Is there anything I’ve forgotten?’
‘Did you find my pills? I don’t know what they’re for, but I find myself feeling a little odd without them. They can’t get a local GP to visit for a while, or I could have asked for another prescription.’ She paused. ‘I could contact the chemist who sends them to me but—’
‘I know,’ said Hattie. ‘It’s not simple. But don’t worry, I’ve found them and I’ll pop down with everything later today.’
‘I’m putting you to an awful lot of trouble—’
Hattie interrupted her. ‘Not at all. I’m quite happy to come and see you again.’
‘But it’s so far!’
‘It’ll be fine. Now, is there anything else?’
‘There is one big favour…’
‘Yes?’
‘I want you to take the dresses – you know the ones I mean. I don’t know what Clive has planned but he won’t know the value of them and I don’t want them ending up in a skip.’
‘I can’t bear to think of anything of yours ending up in a skip,’ said Hattie, tears suddenly catching at her throat.
‘Nor can I!’ said Mary. ‘But we must face facts, my dear.’
Hattie didn’t reply. ‘I could arrange to have all the furniture taken away. It could go in…’ She hesitated as she thought of the rustic conditions her own few possessions were kept in. ‘… my lock-up. There’s plenty of space.’
Rose looked horrified. ‘What would Clive say? And you don’t have a lock-up. You have half a stable!’ she said in a stage whisper.
Hattie turned away so she couldn’t see her friend. ‘Would you like me to do that, Mary? Arrange for everything to be taken out before Clive gets back?’
