Free The Penningtons by Pamela Oldfield

is very grateful, Mr Pennington that is. We get along. To tell you the truth, I’d rather the two of us just muddled along than have a horrible bossy housekeeper that neither of us likes.’
    ‘I can understand that. But forgive me if I’m a little curious. How did you get the job?’
    She frowned, giving the question some serious thought. ‘It came about through my father, I suppose. He works on a farm on the outskirts of the town, and Mr Pennington buys eggs, cream and butter from them and my father heard there was a job going there for a young girl. Ma said it was about I time I earned a few bob.’ She shrugged. ‘I’d already left school and I was bored at home and so I said “yes” and here I am!’
    And looking very well on it, Steven thought. He said, ‘I noticed from the file that the whole family lives around Bath. At least, I assume so. We have clients called Albert Pennington – I think he lives on Widcombe Hill – and a Mrs Maynard who used to be a Pennington. I don’t know where they live.’
    ‘I don’t either. I only know their telephone numbers. I can use the telephone,’ she said proudly. ‘It’s not as bad as people think although the operators always sound rather stuffy.’
    ‘Er yes. Maybe they do. I think they have to be like that otherwise they would get into conversations and waste time.’
    She nodded. ‘And it’s Dilys who was married to John Maynard but now he’s dead, and Albert is now married to Hettie. They’re both still alive.’
    He smiled. ‘Thank goodness. I was beginning to think the family was jinxed!’
    They laughed together at the idea.
    Daisy said, ‘I want Monty – that’s what we call Mr Pennington – to live a long time. I like working for him. The only snag is his sister-in-law – we call her Horrible Hettie – because when she comes to visit, which isn’t often, she will insist on interfering. And I’m not sure yet about Dilys.’
    ‘Some people can be difficult,’ he agreed eagerly. ‘A lot of work that we do as solicitors is a result of family disagreements which have often started in childhood and lingered through the years. Sometimes the disagreements are never settled and last for generations and then I suppose they become family feuds!’
    ‘Well, I needn’t worry because I’m an only child so I’ll have no one to disagree with!’
    ‘Whereas I have two brothers and a sister – all younger than me and a mixed blessing!’
    Minutes later, when Daisy had departed with the money, Steven hoped he had not been indiscreet. He had been rather overwhelmed by the young woman and now thought he may have overstepped the mark. He was glad that Mr Marsh had not been privy to the conversation but decided, if he ever had a few moments to spare, he would investigate the Pennington family, out of interest. Their files would no doubt offer insights and if Miss Letts came in again, he would be more knowledgeable about her employers. He hoped she would come in again and wondered if he could think of a reason to telephone the Penningtons. If he did, presumably Miss Letts would answer the telephone . . .
    Without Miss Letts’ presence, he found the office less bright and thought the sun had gone in but when he looked out of the window it was still shining.
    Once a month Hettie and Dilys met in the Pump Room to take a medicinal glass of the Spa’s well-known spring water. This was more an opportunity to be seen in the town’s famous venue rather than a chance to converse but this same morning they each had something to share with the other – and none of it good.
    Once ensconced, having each accepted a glass of the famous water, Dilys told her sister-in-law about the man in the soup kitchen queue and Hettie listened silently but in growing horror.
    ‘He sounds very like the man who frightened Albert!’ she exclaimed, her eyes wide with alarm and proceeded to tell Dilys her own story. ‘So in the end, just to set my mind at ease that we weren’t the