Found Guilty at Five by Ann Purser Page A

tightly controlled voice.
    “The one all mixed up with stolen cellos and a fancy foreign girl, and playing music that nobody wants to listen to all over the world. Why couldn’t he have settled down with his father, learning a trade, and got in with one of those rock bands in his spare time?”
    This all came out in a rush, and Lois realised that her mother had been brooding on Jamie for some time. She had to hand it to her. Gran had in the past managed not to voice her disapproval of the way Jamie had been encouraged and lauded for his decision to make a career in music.
    “Do you know
why
he didn’t learn to be an electrician like his father?” Lois replied. “Because his father didn’t want him to! Both of us, Derek and me, we were really proud that Jamie took to music like a duck to water. Even when he was a little lad, if you remember, Mum, he loved to play that toy piano you and Dad gave him. Could have been the thing that started him off.”
    Gran shook her head. “Well, I don’t know, I’m sure,” she said huffily.
    “No more do I,” said Lois, “but Jamie says we’re not to worry, and so I am not going to. I’m taking Jeems for a walk in half an hour or so, to get my thoughts in order. Don’t worry if I’m not back for lunch. I’ll take a sandwich. Might go as far as Fletching. I’ll take my mobile and let you know when I’ll be back. Derek knows. I told him before he went off to work. And thanks for worrying. But don’t.”
    “And now there’s something else to worry about! You tramping off with that little dog. Anything could happen to you if you’re going through the spinney.”
    “Jeems may be small, but she’s got sharp teeth and knows an enemy from a friend. I’ll be fine, Mum. Might even find some mushrooms for supper.”
    *   *   *
    L OIS HAD THE PERFECT EXCUSE TO CALL AT THE HALL. S HE WOULD check that the Norringtons were still happy with Paula’s work. Paula had been cleaning there for some time, and occasionally a job would become too routine and she would need to switch the staff around. She could use this to ask permission from the Norringtons to walk Jemima through the park and spinney.
    She was pleased to see that the big Range Rover was not in the stable yard where cars were parked. Geoff Norrington must have gone up to London to his office. Sometimes he worked at home, but not today. That would make it easier, as Mrs. Norrington was a much more sympathetic person. Norrington could be smarmily pleasant when he wanted something. Otherwise he could take ages to decide what was in it for him.
    “Mrs. Meade! Do come in. You are just the person I wanted to see. I shall put on the kettle and we’ll have a coffee. Do you want Paula to be with us?”
    Lois said no, that would not be necessary. This was just a check-up call. She left Jeems tied up in the yard and followed Mrs. Norrington into the kitchen. Were there any problems with Paula’s work? On being reassured that all was well, and Paula still the best cleaner they’d ever had, Melanie Norrington and Lois sat down at the table to drink their coffee.
    “It’s nice to have a chat,” Melanie said. “If you can spare a few minutes. The truth is, Mrs. Meade, since we’ve been here I have felt a bit lonely. It was fine for a while, when there was masses to do, but now, unless there is some event or meeting, I’m desperate for the sound of a human voice! Thank heavens for the chapel shop!”
    Lois said she supposed it was a different lifestyle. “In your last house, you had neighbours, and people going by along the road. Some folk would give their eyeteeth to be undisturbed!” she said.
    Melanie shook her head. “Not me. I like a bit of life going on around me. Anyway, enough about me. How are you doing? And your family? I saw your Jamie at the dog show. Was that his girlfriend?”
    “No, Akiko’s a cellist, and Jamie accompanies her on the piano. They’ve known each other for a while now, and seem very good