The Secret House of Death by Ruth Rendell Page B

can’t go to sleep, Mummy,’ he said. ‘I don’t like this house any more.’ His voice was small and muffled against her shoulder. ‘Will they catch the man and put him in prison?’
    â€˜He’s dead too, darling.’
    â€˜Are you sure? Roger’s mother said he’d gone away, but she said Mrs North had gone away too. Suppose he isn’t dead and he comes back here?’
    Susan left the light on in his bedroom and the light on on the landing. When she got downstairs again she lit the twentieth cigarette of the day, but the smoke seemed to choke her, starting a long spasm of coughing. It left her shivering with cold. She ground out the cigarette, turned up the central heating and, going to the phone, dialled Julian’s number.
    Tonight, when nothing went right and all things seemed antagonistic, it would have to be Elizabeth who answered.
    â€˜Hallo, Elizabeth. Susan.’
    â€˜Susan . . .’ The echoed name hung in the air. As always, Elizabeth’s gruff schoolgirlish voice held a note of doubt. The impression was that she knew quite ten Susans, all of whom were likely to telephone her and announce themselves without surname or other qualification.
    â€˜Susan Townsend.’ It was grotesque, almost past bearing. ‘May I have a word with Julian?’
    â€˜Sure, if you want. He’s just finishing his mousse.’ How those two harped on food! They had plenty in common; one day, no doubt, they would share obesity. ‘Good thing you rang now. We’re just off for our weekend with Mummy.’
    â€˜Have a good time.’
    â€˜We always have a great time with Mummy. I do think all this killing in Matchdown Park is the end, and you up to your neck in it. But I expect you kept cool. You always do, don’t you? I’ll just fetch Julian.’
    He sounded as if his mouth was full.
    â€˜How are you, Julian?’
    â€˜I am well.’
    Susan wondered if her sigh of exasperation was audible at the other end. ‘Julian, I expect you’ve read about all this business out here. What I want to ask you is, d’you mind if we sell this house? I want to move as soon as possible. I can’t remember the way our joint property is tied up but I know it’s complicated and we both have to agree.’
    â€˜You must do exactly as you like, my dear.’ Had he brought the mousse with him? It sounded as if he was eating while he talked. ‘You’re absolutely free. I shan’t interfere at all. Only don’t think of taking less than ten thousand and wherever you choose to make your new home, see it’s within distance of a decent school for my son and a good prep school when the time comes.’ He swallowed and said breezily, ‘Just put it in some agent’s hands and let him do the lot. And if I meet anyone pining to vegetate in salubrious Matchdown Park I’ll send him along. Tell me, were we ever on more than nodding terms with these Norths?’
    â€˜You weren’t on more than nodding terms with anyone. Sneering terms might be more accurate.’
    For a moment she thought he was offended. Then he said, ‘You know, Susan, you’ve got a lot more waspish since we parted. It’s rather becoming, almost makes me . . . well, no I won’t say that. Rather a sexy-looking fellow, this North, as I recall, and a quasi-professional job, surely?’
    â€˜He’s a quantity surveyor.’
    â€˜Whatever that may be. I suppose you and he are living in each other’s pockets now, popping in and out of each other’s houses. No wonder you want to move.’
    â€˜I don’t imagine I shall ever speak to him again,’ said Susan. Julian muttered something about finishing dinner, packing, setting off for Lady Maskell’s. She said good-bye quickly because she knew she was going to cry. The tears rolled down her cheeks and she didn’t bother to wipe them away. Every