Leo, Mab and Harry stood stock still, gazing at the forms that Mr Collingsworth was brandishing happily.Harry was the first one to recover his voice.
‘Rats?Cockroaches?You’ve got to be kidding, man.We’ve cleaned this place to within an inch of its life.You could eat your dinner off the floors, and as for rats out at the back, I’d like to see them try!’
Mr Collingsworth gave a nervous laugh.
‘That’s as may be, Mr… er…’
‘Lamb… Lamb senior.I’d ask you to call me Harry but I’ve a feeling we’re not going to become friends.’
‘Oh, I’m sure we can sort all this out amicably, Mr Lamb, it’s just a matter of making sure that no trading is undertaken until an inspection has taken place.’
‘No trading?’gasped Leo, suddenly very clear about what was happening.‘But where did this report come from?Who says we’ve got rats?Whoever they are, they’re lying.And you can’t stop us opening just because of a ridiculous rumour!’
‘I can assure you that we can and will, Mr Lamb.No establishment should be allowed to endanger the health and safety of the general public, let us be absolutely clear on that point.’
Mab stepped forward, and Mr Collingsworth seemed to notice her for the first time.He took in her flushed cheeks, wild hair and bright, angry gaze and took a step backwards.
‘I think you’ve failed to answer Mr Lamb’s question, Mr Collingsworth, and I’m sure that must have been unintentional.Who has reported us to the council for having vermin on our premises?’Mab spoke loudly and clearly, fixing the little man with a stare that chilled him to the bone.Leo looked at her admiringly.Why had he not realised how beautiful she was until today?And Mab was a real woman, one that you would be proud to have by your side for life.She was brave, intelligent and feisty.Thoughts of Sophie were far from his mind as he said, ‘Ms Millington has made a very good point, Mr Collingsworth.’It was odd how they had all fallen into this formal way of speaking, thought Leo, they were beginning to sound like the cast of a cheesy costume drama.
Leo shook himself and continued, ‘And it is a point that I would also like clarified.I believe we have a right to know who has made such dreadful accusations about our business.’
Mr Collingsworth coughed again.He seemed rather less confident now, with three pairs of eyes boring into him, but he squared his shoulders and answered.
‘I’m afraid that is where you are mistaken, Mr Lamb.Our first responsibility is to our clients, and confidentiality is essential in these cases.’
‘Are you trying to tell me that someone can make a libellous report about me, and that I am not allowed to know who it was?’asked Leo, incredulously.
‘That is, unfortunately for you, the case.’
There was a short silence, as the three of them tried to work out where to go next.Finally, Mab said, ‘So… what happens now?’She sounded tired and vulnerable, and Leo noticed how pale she was now that the angry flush had died down.He moved to stand beside her, and she glanced up at him gratefully, leaning against his arm.He could feel her shaking slightly, and he gently pushed her into a chair, placing his hands on her shoulders in what he hoped was a comforting way.This rat business must have shocked her to the core.Leo knew how Sophie felt about rats.Sophie would have been out of the building and up the street by now, and as for cockroaches… But who could have said such a thing about them?With a shock, Leo suddenly remembered the angry episode with Edward Crabtree.Aha!He pounced.
‘Mr Collingsworth, if I ask you a question, can you at least give me a yes or no answer?’
‘I can’t promise anything, Mr Lamb.’
‘Well, let’s give it a try anyway.Was the person who reported us named Crabtree, by any chance?’
Mab gasped, and Harry looked shocked, but neither spoke.Mr Collingsworth shook his head.
‘Oh, Mr Lamb, you know I couldn’t possibly answer that question.It’s more than my job’s worth.’
Leo grinned.So people really did say that?Then he remembered the seriousness of the situation and his heart sank.Harry said sternly, ‘Again, a question hasn’t been answered, Mr Collingsworth.What happens next?’
‘Ahem… well, nothing happens for a while, Mr Lamb.’
‘Nothing?We can’t accept that, Mr Collingsworth.We have a business to run here, and our opening day is imminent.’
‘When I say nothing happens, I mean that no trading happens, of course.We will commence investigations immediately, and report our findings to you at the first possible opportunity.’
Mab stood up, shakily.Her face had a clammy, grey tinge, and she seemed to be taking deep breaths to steady herself.Leo moved closer and their hands touched, his fingers closing around hers, warm and comforting.
‘So, you’re telling us that we have no rights at all here?’said Mab.‘We’re going to have to just sit around and wait for you to finish these “investigations” of yours, and we’re not even going to be told who has ruined our opening day and put a stop to our business?’
Mr Collingsworth gulped.This lady was a force to be reckoned with.
‘Oh, come, Ms… Middleton…’
‘Millington!’corrected Mab, Harry and Leo simultaneously, all moving a step nearer to the council official, who looked swiftly over his shoulder, as if checking the exits.
