‘I’m not worried,’ says Mei, as if she’s not alone in a foreign country in the middle of a pandemic.
After a cheerful farewell from Mei, Nelson turns the postcard over. The picture is of a lopsided black and white house with a cloaked figure standing in front of it.
‘Augustine Steward’s House, Tombland,’ he reads, ‘is haunted by the Grey Lady. This tormented ghost from the sixteenth century hides a terrible secret.’
Chapter 36
‘You shouldn’t be here,’ says Judy.
‘Let’s pretend I’m not,’ says Clough.
They are walking on the beach, keeping the regulation two metres apart. Even so, Judy is meant to be in quarantine, Clough shouldn’t be in Norfolk at all. ‘Go for a walk,’ Maddie had said. ‘You’re safe when you’re in the open air. And it’ll make you feel better. You can take Thing. You’re allowed to go for two walks a day if you have a dog.’ Judy doesn’t know where Maddie gets her scientific facts from but one thing is certain; Maddie is becoming as wise as her father.
‘I’m so pleased to see you,’ says Judy.
‘I thought you would be.’ Clough sounds smug. ‘Your last message sounded a bit. . . a bit like you needed company.’
‘I do,’ says Judy. ‘I mean, I know I’ve got the kids but. . .’
‘But you have to stay strong for them,’ says Clough. ‘You don’t for me.’
They walk along the sand in silence. Thing doubles back to check that they’re still there. His nanny instincts have become more pronounced in Cathbad’s absence. Apart from another dog-walker at the water’s edge, there’s not a soul in sight. The multicoloured beach huts are empty, and the only sound is the hiss and sigh of the waves breaking.
‘I just can’t imagine a world without Cathbad,’ says Judy.
‘Nor can I,’ says Clough. ‘Do you remember when we first met him? Bloody great tempest raging on the Saltmarsh. Thunder and lightning. Cathbad gets out of the car and says to the boss, “I’ll be your guide.” And then they disappear into the night. I honestly thought it would be the last time I saw either of them.’
‘Cathbad says Nelson saved him that night.’
‘Something happened,’ says Clough, ‘that’s for sure.’
‘Cathbad likes you,’ says Judy. ‘He says that you’re a positive life force.’
‘Cassie says that I’m a pain in the neck,’ says Clough. ‘Maybe that means the same thing.’
‘The boss misses you,’ says Judy. ‘Specially now he’s stuck with Tanya and Tony.’
‘Tony’s the new boy, isn’t he? I thought he seemed OK.’
‘He’s great. He’s just very enthusiastic. Tanya’s OK too. She’s sent me some very kind messages.’
‘The boss must be hating lockdown,’ says Clough, ‘especially if it stops him seeing Ruth.’
‘I think he is seeing her,’ says Judy. ‘Michelle’s in Blackpool. I think Nelson’s been staying with Ruth. Or he was until Laura came back home.’
‘He’s taking a risk,’ says Clough. ‘If Super Jo finds out.’
‘Jo hasn’t been into the station since this started. She keeps sending Nelson emails that he ignores. Tanya says that, with Leah off, Nelson doesn’t answer anything from head office.’
‘Leah’s off? Is she sick?’
‘I don’t know. I hope not. Sometimes I think that everyone’s going to get this thing eventually. I mean, if Cathbad can get ill, anyone can.’
‘They’ll find a vaccine,’ says Clough. ‘I was talking to someone at the university the other day. He says that Oxford are near to developing something. And that’s quite something for a Cambridge man to admit.’
‘It’ll be too late for Cathbad,’ says Judy.
‘He’ll pull through,’ says Clough. ‘And you know I’m always right.’
