Found Guilty at Five by Ann Purser Page B

friends.”
    “But no more than that?” Melanie grinned conspiratorially.
    “We’re not sure. He’s fond of her, I suppose. Not as fond of her as she is of him, I suspect. I personally think that on Jamie’s side friendship is all there is to it. Derek doesn’t agree, but then that’s him.”
    “Did you say cellist? Wasn’t there some talk of a cello being stolen? Geoff heard about it in the shop. From your Josie, I expect. I don’t know what we’d do without the village shop. She must do well, your Josie. Is she carrying on, now she’s married?”
    “Oh yes. She won’t give it up. It’s her baby, as they say.”
    “But there may be a real one soon?”
    “We shall manage,” said Lois, getting to her feet. “Now, I must get along. But there was just one other thing. Is it okay for me to take Jemima through the park and woods, like I always have? Your gamekeeper was a bit unfriendly about it.”
    “Oh, don’t worry about him. I’ll have a word. He’s a bit of a liability at the moment. Comes and goes without telling us. Geoff employed him a few weeks ago. Goodness knows where he came from! I leave all that sort of thing to Geoff. No, I’ll have a word with him, or ask Geoff to, and you just carry on as you always have.”
    *   *   *
    L OIS AND J EMIMA CROSSED THE PARKLAND, THE STRONG SUNLIGHT burning the pale skin exposed on Lois’s bare shoulders. She was relieved when she and Jemima reached the cool spinney, where dappled sunlight was pleasant. She had not thought to bring a jacket, and decided to walk round the perimeter and then across a small field shaded with large chestnut trees. From there she could go swiftly into Fletching by a lane lined with mature oaks. She put Jemima on her lead and thought maybe she would have a refreshing lemonade at the pub, though she still felt reluctant to go into pubs on her own. She could hear her mother’s voice: “What will your father say, Lois Weedon?” Old habits die hard.
    It was not until she had left the spinney and started across on the first field, keeping to the edge in the shade of the chestnuts, that she saw him. Jeems barked a sharp warning, and the gamekeeper looked round. He started to walk quickly towards her. Her heartbeat quickened, and she told herself not to be silly. She had permission, didn’t she?
    “Ah, I thought so,” he said. “And have you the right to roam, as they say? I am glad to see the terrier is on a lead.”
    “Excuse me,” said Lois firmly. “I’ve got permission to go where I like on Norringtons’ land. Now let me pass.”
    His smile faded, and he made a move towards her. Jeems was on him in a flash, her teeth sunk deep into his thick leather boots.
    “Get off, you little bastard!” he shouted, hopping round, trying to dislodge the sharp terrier teeth. Jeems hung on, and Lois began to laugh. “Oh dear, dear!” she said. “Do you suppose she doesn’t like you?”
    “I’ll ring the little bugger’s neck!” he yelled, but she twisted away from him, still hanging on to his boot. He finally shook her off, and she retreated, growling ferociously.
    “I’ll see that you don’t,” said Lois calmly, pulling Jemima away. “It wouldn’t look too good in Mr. Norrington’s eyes, would it? Tough gamekeeper attacks small pet dog? I advise you to go home and have a cup of hot sweet tea. Good for shock. I must be getting along. Good morning!”
    Still chuckling, Lois continued out of the field and into the shady lane that led to the village of Fletching. As she approached the pub, she saw a family with two small boys sitting in the garden having a snack lunch. They smiled at her, and she decided to buy a lemonade and join them, but not at their table. They might not want her, and in any case, she had come away from home to think without interruption.
    “Are dogs allowed in the garden?” she said to the landlady, who nodded.
    “We’re not called the Dog and Duck for nothing, dear. No ducks, though, except on