She lay dozing on the yellow sun-bed when she realised she needed to make the ‘phone calls about tomorrow. She didn’t need to call Jenny and David, but she’d better call Barbara to confirm the time.
There was no answer, so Anne left a message on the answering machine.
Next she called Frank, who was delighted with her invitation and said he wasn’t quite sure who he’d bring.
She was sure there was plenty of choice.
Sam wasn’t there either, but she left a message to say she hoped he would come along and he could bring a friend.
After a couple more calls, she reckoned that if everyone turned up there would be a full house.
It should be fun.
{13}
Sunday morning was as bright as promised.
The early sunshine streamed into Anne’s bedroom as she opened the curtains. Though she couldn’t see her garden from this vantage point, Anne looked at the patchwork of fields before her.
It always amazed her how lucky she’d been to find this house. For some reason developers hadn’t built in this area and the beauty of the place was breathtaking.
She hoped the farmer would never sell this wonderful piece of land so that she could continue to bask in its beauty.
After her run, Anne showered and tidied the house – though there was little need as Mrs Lund made sure it was thoroughly cleaned twice a week.
Anne went into the garden and picked a basketful of fresh aromatic flowers. She filled the house with their scent – the roses were particularly heady.
Satisfied, she worked some more on the coming week’s schedule and made notes to remind herself of things she mustn’t forget.
Eventually she prepared a wonderful feast for her guests in her special room, the doors of which had been opened to allow in the warmth and smell of summer.
With a last look, Anne was satisfied with what she saw then went to change once more, and was soon wearing a fresh white T-shirt, loose fitting jade cotton trousers and espadrilles on her feet – perfect for a picnic on a warm summer evening.
She looked cool, comfortable and at ease as she welcomed her guests into her home, except for Sam who’d told her he wasn’t sure if he could make it, but if she didn’t mind would just turn up if and when.
Of course she didn’t mind.
Barbara had arrived first, at exactly 5.30pm – alone. She’d brought wine and a wicked box of chocolates for them to try later. Frank and his new conquest, Amanda, came next. She was as Anne expected; tall, blonde and very shapely. Anne could never understand how a successful man could fall for someone so….obvious. She reasoned he picked them because they didn’t use their brain – he probably had enough of women and their careers at the hospital. Still she seemed pleasant enough, and Frank looked happy.
Jenny and David, each carrying a twin and a bottle of wine, apologised for being late. Wouldn’t you know it, Anne had been sick down the front of her dress and had to change – no nothing serious, just too much chocolate at lunch. The child certainly looked fine now as she grabbed her namesake around the neck.
Holding onto her, Anne thought about the birth and realised how easily things could have been different. But here she was, as healthy as her sister and much loved.
After hugging Sally, she let the children race into the garden.
Smiling at the twins’ parents, she asked if everything was okay.
“Yes, fine. There’s no need for you to come tomorrow, I’ll be fine with David,” whispered Jenny not wanting the others to hear.
“Well, if you’re sure. Let me know if you change your mind, and please tell me what they say.”
“Will do,” said David.
As they went into the garden room, the doorbell rang again.
The garden was full of people enjoying the late afternoon sun, eating the delicious food Anne had offered and drinking a little too much. The children were playing with Frank and, amazingly Amanda, with a ball they had found.
Anne sat looking at the gathering with a feeling of peace.
Sam had been able to make it in the end and sat next to her drinking a glass of wine.
“It’s fantastic here, Anne, you must love to come home.”
He sounded a little sad.
Anne looked across at him.
“Are you okay?”
“Of course, I worry too much, and this peace is just what I need. I’m just envious of you finding a place like this, that’s all. But I’m glad you have.”
He took her hand.
“You’re a good friend, I worry about you sometimes, being on your own, but at least you have this.”
“You do sound serious. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes. It’s been a wonderful evening. Those kids are brilliant. Have you ever wanted any of your own?” Sam asked.
“Sometimes, but my work keeps me away from all that. Anyway, I have those two rascals.”
Anne smiled as she looked across at the girls giggling at Frank’s antics.
“My work is enough for me....and my friends.”
Sam said nothing more but noticed a small frown appear on Anne’s face – then it was gone.
He should have kept quiet. Damn fool. But she was just ripe for a family – a pity he couldn’t oblige.
They both watched the happy scene, engaged in their own thoughts.
Anne was mostly content with her life, even though Sam had provoked a little doubt. She had made her decision a long time ago – no use changing now.
By 9 o’clock, the children had fallen asleep on Anne’s sofa, and darkness nipped at the day’s radiance. The lights she’d had installed last year brought out a different beauty in the garden. Nevertheless, it was time for her guests to depart.
Barbara made a date for them to go to the gym tomorrow and though it would be difficult, Anne remembered her resolution and agreed.
Jenny and David carried the girls to the car and strapped them into the back seats – they didn’t wake.
Frank and Amanda thanked her for a great time and they, along with the other guests, waved goodbye.
Sam was the last to leave and gently kissed her cheek before he trotted away.
With satisfaction, Anne closed her front door, cleared the evening’s debris and turned off the lights.
After a shower she lay in bed knowing she would have to do this again, and soon...it had been wonderful.
But why did she have a sense of foreboding?
Shrugging, thinking that it was only worry about Jenny, Anne switched out the light and went to sleep.
{14}
After a quick shower, Anne dressed, breakfasted and then, grabbing her briefcase and handbag, drove to the office.
This morning she would be on time!
Despite her strange feelings the night before, she had slept very well and was ready to face another week’s hard work.
Sam was waiting as usual; her coffee was handed to her the moment she sat down. The order of patients was on her desk – the relevant files ready.
“Any messages?” she asked. “Did Tadmore ‘phone about Missus Armstrong?”
“I’ve written all your messages on the pad, including those from the answering machine. Nothing from Tadmore though.”
“Well, not to worry, I did say it didn’t matter, I’d see her tomorrow. Remind me to ‘phone later.”
“Okay, you have half an hour free after you’ve seen Lee Webber.”
“Great,” she responded, just as her first appointment of the day arrived.
******
It was during the last ten minutes of the morning’s sessions that an unexpected visitor arrived. Sam asked who he was and tried not to show surprise before inviting him to sit and wait, as the doctor wouldn’t be long.
After the last patient had left through the other door, Anne sat writing up her notes when Sam knocked on her office door. She looked up in surprise – Sam knew she liked to write things up while they were fresh without disturbance.
“There’s an Inspector Meakin to see you,” he told her, eyes widening with curiosity.
The Inspector had risen from his seat and stood directly behind. Sam turned, bumped into him then shuffled to one side.
Anne had stood to welcome her visitor, thinking it must be about Jenny and her stalker.
Sam awaited instructions.
“Thanks, Sam, could you get the Inspector a coffee...Inspector? Oh, please sit down.”
Anne pointed to the chair opposite.
“Er…yes thank you, white, please, no sugar.”
Meakin’s voice was surprisingly deep.
He sat.
“Oh, Sam could you apologise to my next patient, I’ll try not to be too long.”
Sam returned with the Inspector’s coffee and a fresh one for Anne, and then left them to it, though not without a questioning look at her before he closed the door.
Meakin sipped his coffee in silence as he took in his surroundings.
Anne searched this newcomer’s face while he drank, noting he looked about fifty years old, with not a little grey sprinkled throughout his thick, dark hair. Tall – at least taller than her – of medium build, though with signs of sagging around the middle. He seemed relaxed. Yet she was sure it was a cover to make others feel at ease...a way to find out what he needed, maybe?
She knew she must be right, seeing the shrewd look in those brown eyes of his as they now stared back.
His thin lips took an upward turn, then straightened, as if hesitating in what he was about to tell her.
She might as well just say it.
“Well, Inspector Meakin, how can I help, is this about Jenny? I don’t really know anything,” she offered.
“Er…no,” he said, placing his cup on the desk. “I don’t know anyone called Jenny.”
Anne waited.
“No, unfortunately, this is about one of your patients, who was found dead in her bed – stabbed!”
He saw her look of total shock.
She knew that if she hadn’t already been sitting, she would have fallen.
How, what, who...?
Her mind tried to understand what he had said.
“What….who…when…how….my patient, I...” she garbled.
“On Friday evening, the body of a Missus Edith Armstrong was found stabbed to death in her bed. Her son, Mister Peter Armstrong found her that way on Saturday morning. Mister Armstrong said he had recently spoken to you about his mother going into Tadmore Psychiatric Hospital. Is that true, Doctor Blake?”
The stunning news put Anne’s mind in a whirl. A thousand questions invaded her mind. How was this possible? Who would do such a thing? Friday, oh...she was there! Why hadn’t she been told before now?
She looked at her visitor with horror. He must be lying, it can’t be true!
Trying to form her words carefully she said, “Are you sure about all this…I mean, I’m sure you are, it’s just…” she broke off, not sure of what to say.
“Yes, we are sure it was Missus Armstrong and that it was murder,” he told her and then leaned forward to emphasise his next words.
“We also know you were there that night.”
Anne looked across at him.
“Surely you don’t think that I...?” she left the sentence mid-air.
The Inspector sat back in his chair.
“Actually, no, we don’t think of you as a suspect at the moment. However, we need to know what happened whilst you visited the Armstrongs, and your movements thereafter.”
His words echoed around Anne’s head as she tried to make some order out of the chaos. What did he mean, ‘at the moment’?
Calming herself, she explained that yes, she had visited the Armstrongs on Friday evening, but had only stayed about an hour.
“I had talked with both of them about Missus Armstrong being admitted to Tadmore; there didn’t seem to be a problem about that. After leaving, I made a ‘phone call to the hospital, then drove home.”
“Did anyone else see you leave?”
“Yes, Sam, my assistant, was there – though he stayed in his car. He saw me drive away.”
“Do you usually make house calls, and why did your assistant come with you?”
“No, I don’t usually make house calls, but I thought it necessary in this case. Mister Armstrong was particularly worried about his mother suddenly being taken into hospital. A visit from me was a way to break the ice. I already had my suspicions that she would need hospital treatment, and quite soon, it seemed best all-round that I visit. The fact that I don’t usually visit patients at home was the reason Sam came with me. He thought it would be safer.”