PREPARING FOR BED, and as often happened, launched on a discussion safe from interruption by Gran.
“Well, I’m very worried about him,” said Lois. “You know our Jamie, he was always very stubborn. Pleasant about it, but whatever advice we gave him, he did exactly as he’d meant to do all along.”
Derek nodded. Lois and Jamie had always been especially close, and he trusted her to get it right. Lois had suggested they consult, and after listening, he said, “I’m sure you’re right, me duck, but he’s a grown man. He doesn’t want his mother rushing about after him. I know you won’t agree, but it sounds to me like a job for the police. And is it really any of our business? The girl is obviously having a bit of a breakdown, and we’d do well to stay out of it. Leave it to Jamie. He’ll calm down, and realise his abduction idea is a load of rubbish.”
“You could be right, I suppose. And that’s why I am going up to talk to him face-to-face, and then leave it alone. I’ll not be rushing about. I shall be cool as a cucumber.”
“So much for consultation,” said Derek sadly. “I might as well go and eat worms. I think you are being absolutely ridiculous, duckie. You’re usually the one with good common sense, and here you are, behaving like a neurotic teenager.”
That did it. Lois was silent for a few minutes, then went over to Derek and put her arms around his neck. “I love you, Derek Meade,” she said. “And you’re quite right. You know I hate to admit being in the wrong, but this time I own up. I’ll stay at home and have a good talk to Cowgill. After all, he’s family now.”
* * *
N EXT MORNING, M RS. T-J WAS PREPARING TO CATCH A TRAIN TO London. Jamie’s odd request about relaying messages to his mother had puzzled her. Something more behind it? She had decided impulsively to go up to see Robert and family, and arrange a meeting with Jamie before she came home. She had every right, she told herself, as a member of the ferretin’ team.
Now, this morning, she was not so sure. She had not slept well, revolving in her mind various approaches she should take with Jamie. Perhaps better not to go at all? But waking early, she decided it was too late to change her plans. Robert would be expecting her, so she might as well go. They had all been pleased to hear she was coming and Robert’s voice had grown noticeably warmer when she had replied that she would be going back to Farnden the same evening.
Once on the train, travelling first class as always, she began to feel the excitement of a journey out of the village. Before her husband died, they had travelled widely, spending weeks at a time in faraway places. He had retired early, and spent a great deal of time managing the hall estate, which he loved. She had filled her own time being a magistrate, chair of the Bench and in the family courts. But they had both made sure of good holidays, and train journeys were the ones Mrs. T-J liked best.
She thought back over countries they had visited, and soon her eyelids drooped and she fell into a light doze, dreaming she was once again in the California Zephyr club car, cocktail in hand, and gazing with wonder at the beauty of the Feather River valley, the Utah desert and a procession of changing landscapes.
“We are now approaching Euston station,” said the anonymous voice, loud in her ear, and she woke feeling refreshed and looking forward to the day.
As she queued up to leave the train, she thought perhaps it would be best to ring Jamie more or less straightaway, and ask when she could call to have a little chat. She had intended to take him by surprise, but now reconsidered. After all, she might turn up later this afternoon and not find him at home. Then her journey would have been wasted. She stepped out on to the platform, found her mobile and dialled his number.
Jamie was at home, still in his pyjamas and ready to take a shower. “Hello? Oh yes, Mrs. Tollervey-Jones?
“Well, I’m very worried about him,” said Lois. “You know our Jamie, he was always very stubborn. Pleasant about it, but whatever advice we gave him, he did exactly as he’d meant to do all along.”
Derek nodded. Lois and Jamie had always been especially close, and he trusted her to get it right. Lois had suggested they consult, and after listening, he said, “I’m sure you’re right, me duck, but he’s a grown man. He doesn’t want his mother rushing about after him. I know you won’t agree, but it sounds to me like a job for the police. And is it really any of our business? The girl is obviously having a bit of a breakdown, and we’d do well to stay out of it. Leave it to Jamie. He’ll calm down, and realise his abduction idea is a load of rubbish.”
“You could be right, I suppose. And that’s why I am going up to talk to him face-to-face, and then leave it alone. I’ll not be rushing about. I shall be cool as a cucumber.”
“So much for consultation,” said Derek sadly. “I might as well go and eat worms. I think you are being absolutely ridiculous, duckie. You’re usually the one with good common sense, and here you are, behaving like a neurotic teenager.”
That did it. Lois was silent for a few minutes, then went over to Derek and put her arms around his neck. “I love you, Derek Meade,” she said. “And you’re quite right. You know I hate to admit being in the wrong, but this time I own up. I’ll stay at home and have a good talk to Cowgill. After all, he’s family now.”
* * *
N EXT MORNING, M RS. T-J WAS PREPARING TO CATCH A TRAIN TO London. Jamie’s odd request about relaying messages to his mother had puzzled her. Something more behind it? She had decided impulsively to go up to see Robert and family, and arrange a meeting with Jamie before she came home. She had every right, she told herself, as a member of the ferretin’ team.
Now, this morning, she was not so sure. She had not slept well, revolving in her mind various approaches she should take with Jamie. Perhaps better not to go at all? But waking early, she decided it was too late to change her plans. Robert would be expecting her, so she might as well go. They had all been pleased to hear she was coming and Robert’s voice had grown noticeably warmer when she had replied that she would be going back to Farnden the same evening.
Once on the train, travelling first class as always, she began to feel the excitement of a journey out of the village. Before her husband died, they had travelled widely, spending weeks at a time in faraway places. He had retired early, and spent a great deal of time managing the hall estate, which he loved. She had filled her own time being a magistrate, chair of the Bench and in the family courts. But they had both made sure of good holidays, and train journeys were the ones Mrs. T-J liked best.
She thought back over countries they had visited, and soon her eyelids drooped and she fell into a light doze, dreaming she was once again in the California Zephyr club car, cocktail in hand, and gazing with wonder at the beauty of the Feather River valley, the Utah desert and a procession of changing landscapes.
“We are now approaching Euston station,” said the anonymous voice, loud in her ear, and she woke feeling refreshed and looking forward to the day.
As she queued up to leave the train, she thought perhaps it would be best to ring Jamie more or less straightaway, and ask when she could call to have a little chat. She had intended to take him by surprise, but now reconsidered. After all, she might turn up later this afternoon and not find him at home. Then her journey would have been wasted. She stepped out on to the platform, found her mobile and dialled his number.
Jamie was at home, still in his pyjamas and ready to take a shower. “Hello? Oh yes, Mrs. Tollervey-Jones?
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