Free The Penningtons by Pamela Oldfield Page A

only ones he pestered, I did call on several of the neighbours, as Albert suggested, but only one had had a similar visit and the fellow was not frightening but only asked for a drink of water and only stayed a moment or two.’ Out of breath, she paused and went on. ‘So why did he upset Albert? You don’t think it was the same man who upset you, do you?’
    Dilys sipped the water thoughtfully, trying to retain her poise in case any of the other people ‘taking the cure’ would think her anxious. The elegant Pump Room with its beautiful chandeliers, was a room for quiet contemplation or discreet whisperings.
    ‘If it was just you and Albert,’ Dilys hazarded, ‘then why hasn’t he contacted Montague? I mean, Hettie, if it’s a family thing . . .’
    ‘A family thing? Why should it be? As you said yourself, he hasn’t approached Montague.’
    Dilys caught the eye of a passing acquaintance and forced a smile. ‘Mrs Forster! How nice to see you. Are you and your daughter well?’
    ‘As well as can be expected, thank you. And you, Mrs Maynard?’
    ‘In good health, thank you.’
    As Mrs Forster drifted past, the smile vanished and Dilys continued in a low voice. ‘But how do we know that he hasn’t been to call on them? Maybe he did call and they haven’t thought to tell us about it. Perhaps they thought it unimportant or maybe they were out at the time. If he called at Park View and that slip of a girl dealt with him she might not have the sense to tell Montague about it.’ They stared at each other in dismay.
    Hettie said, ‘Maybe we should go over there and find out. He may be harmless and we might be worrying about nothing but . . .’ She shrugged.
    After some whispered discussion it was finally decided that as soon as they found another housekeeper they would use that as an excuse to visit Montague and they would then inquire, in a casual way, about the mystery man.
    ‘Which brings me to another matter,’ Dilys announced. ‘We really cannot expect that young woman to do all the housework and the cooking. I suspect the house will be neglected, simply because there are not enough hours in a day for Daisy to do the work even if she wanted to.’
    ‘Well, if we find a suitable housekeeper the problem will be solved.’
    ‘But what if Montague doesn’t like any of them? He’s paying the wages, remember. We can’t insist. He can be very awkward when he chooses.’
    Hettie drained her glass. ‘Do you think this water really does you any good?’
    ‘I have no idea. I don’t suppose it does any harm and it’s supposed to have all sorts of vitamins and things.’ She frowned. ‘Perhaps, until we find a replacement for Miss Dutton we could find her a woman to do the heavy work. Scrub the floors, wash and mangle and dry the washing. The work my Mrs Gray does.’ She looked thoughtful. ‘Maybe she would do it for Montague. She only works for me part-time.’
    ‘Just put in two or three hours a week?’ Hettie asked. ‘Is that what you mean?’
    ‘Exactly.’
    Hettie hid her surprise. Her sister-in-law was being very cooperative. She had frequently boasted that Mrs Gray was ‘a veritable workhorse’! On an impulse, before the cooperative mood faded, she brought up the question of Montague’s financial situation. ‘We must reassure ourselves that he is capable of handling what must be a fair income. Possibly he has investments, bonds or shares. If he’s as forgetful as I think he is, he could let things slide. I wonder whether we should talk about this problem with the solicitor.’ She looked at Dilys. ‘It wouldn’t be fair if we allow him to flounder if it means losing money. Family money, in effect.’ She hesitated. ‘It’s our money in a way, because if he dies first it will come to us.’
    Dilys pursed her lips. ‘I’m not sure that Desmond &Marsh would deal with us without written permission from Montague – and we won’t get that unless he’s declared unfit, in some