Free Three Round Towers by Beverley Elphick Page A

how she died and I am clear that she drowned, either by her own hand or someone else’s. However, as a personal friend John, I would suggest that Esther think through everything that happened and bring to bear any fact that might shake Coad’s story. He and his sons think they are – to coin the phrase – home and dry. There is the matter as to who violated the body, which might shed some light. The stave that was used to batter her has been found near the riverbank and very near to the farm. There is nothing remarkable about it other than it has been sharpened at one end and this was used to inflict deep wounds in the corpse. The level of malice is striking. The best outcome for Esther is that a witness can be found to augment aspects of her story. She can bring witnesses as to her character and demonstrate that she is not a likely candidate to inflict death or such vicious post mortem wounds.’
    I was rooted to the spot in fear of what would become of me.
    â€˜What happens to me now?’ I croaked.
    â€˜You must remain at Mrs Makepiece’s until such time as the constable has enough evidence to prove or disprove your situation.’
    â€˜Am I under arrest?’
    â€˜No. This investigation has a way to go before the constable will move against you. In the meantime, I will release the body for burial.’

Chapter Eighteen

    It is almost everywhere too common to have churchyards in the middle of populous towns. This is not only reprehensible in point of taste, but, considering how near to the surface of the earth the dead bodies in many places are deposited, there must necessarily arise putrid vapours, which, however imperceptible, cannot fail to contaminate the air. The practice of burying in churches is still more liable to censure; and not many years ago, the pernicious effects of this custom were so severely felt in France, as to occasion a positive edict against it.
    MacKenzie’s Five Thousand Receipts in All the Useful and Domestic Arts
    Becca’s funeral was a poor affair. No one wanted to have her buried on hallowed ground. I was shocked at the many pious people of Lewes, who needed so many places of worship, yet, not one of them would show any charity towards this young and badly used girl. In the end, Farmer Elwood took it on himself to allow the burial on part of his land where there was a family chapel, the same chapel where his own child had been laid to rest. Even without much faith myself it was a relief that she was buried on hallowed ground. I wore Cecilia’s thickest veil in case anyone objected to my presence but we were only a few: the Elwoods, Mrs Makepiece, Becca’s pa and I took the body to the tiny chapel. It was surrounded by light airy woodland and had a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. Small birds chirruped amongst the autumn leaves with a gentle wind speaking in shallow sighs and whispers. I felt the chapel to be welcoming Becca.
    The hole was dug deep and proper, not like some recent burials where bones had escaped their bindings and appeared above ground mere months after the committal. This disturbing bit of information came from Mrs Makepiece who was scathing about the standard of burials in the town. She said the stink was scandalous and good people deserved better.
    Becca had been popular, her father said, but none of her childhood friends had come to pay their last respects. I felt for her. To commit herself to such a death was bad enough but to have people believe the wicked lies was monstrous.
    As Mrs Elwood laid a little posy of autumn leaves and bright berries on the earth I wept for Becca and for Beth who would never know what a fine mother she had. It was difficult not to feel a sense of bitterness against the people of Lewes who had shut their minds to our innocence, believing instead the malice of a wicked man and his family.

Chapter Nineteen

    Later that evening we were surprised by a sharp rap on the door. It was Miss Wardle, the lady