Free Skeleton-in-Waiting by Peter Dickinson Page B

to Aunt Bea, and in passing asked Mother to see if Mrs Suttery, the Palace Librarian, could find the copy of the book about Mrs Walsh’s adventures which had been sent to Great-grandfather­. It was probably there somewhere. The Palace had no machinery for actually­ throwing things away.
    Two mornings later, timing her arrival with her usual precision, Joan waddled in to the bedroom with note-book, diaries and post-bag just as Louise was finishing burping Davy after his feed.
    â€œYou’re looking smugger every day,” said Louise.
    â€œAm I? I had one wild night. They were lurching around like Sumo wrestlers. They’re going to come out fighting.”
    Joan pulled out the flap of the escritoire, put the papers on it and took Davy to practise on. She sat down and perched him like a squinting Buddha on the ledge of flesh beneath which her twins, due in three weeks, were housed. Louise started on her make-up.
    â€œWe’ve got thirty-three mins,” said Joan. “There’s nothing that couldn’t wait till tomorrow, really.”
    â€œLet’s clear up as much as we can,” said Louise. In the mirror over her shoulder she could see Davy and enjoy the way an air of puzzlement would sometimes cross his benign features, probably only caused by a bubble of unrelieved wind but making him look like some indolent gross ruler slowly becoming aware of the revolutionary activities of the twins beneath his throne.
    â€œNothing new about today,” said Joan. “Your speeches and briefings are in the folder. Lady Anne’s got copies. You’ll have to read the ones for the cement-works before you get to the spina bifida place, unless you’re going to try and get them read in the helicopter.”
    â€œNo thanks. Did the Palace OK that bit?”
    â€œThey niggled, but I said you were keen. Apparently the local MP is a rabid cost-cutter, but he’ll be there and you can wheedle him. They said provided you don’t go beyond the script …”
    â€œI never do. What’s the weather look like?”
    â€œClear but nippy. There’s a bit of fog in Lincolnshire, but they say it’ll be gone before you get there. I think that’s all about today, but something’s just come up about Edinburgh …”
    â€œThat isn’t till … when?”
    â€œThursday week. I’m afraid the Scottish Office have been on to the Palace again saying if Lord Chandler’s coming up with you can’t he …”
    â€œNo.”
    Joan said nothing.
    â€œI’m not even going to ask him,” said Louise. “He’s coming up to talk to two or three people about his work. They think just because he could fit other things in … Oh, God, why can’t they tell the bloody people themselves? They know what the answer’s going to be. It’s just bloody unfair making you ask me and getting us both upset.”
    â€œIt’s all right,” said Joan. “Part of the job.”
    â€œWhat on earth am I going to do without you?”
    â€œIt’ll only be six weeks with luck. I’ve got a couple of girls coming in today, to look at. There’s plenty of time to show them the ropes. It isn’t a difficult job, provided you don’t get in a fluster.”
    â€œWell, I couldn’t do it.”
    â€œI couldn’t do yours. I’ll bitch at the Palace for you, with pleasure. Now here’s something you’ll enjoy. Do you remember Chief O’Donovan Kalaki … ?”
    Janine, already in her out-door clothes, came in to fetch Davy and get him ready for the trip. Louise and Joan worked at the post until the buzzer sounded to tell them that the Daimler was on its way round to the door. As Louise was putting on her gloves Joan said, “Oh, there’s a book come from Mrs Suttery. She said you’d asked for it. I’ve put it in Lady Anne’s box, in case you want something to read on the way