Gently Instrumental by Alan Hunter Page A

Virtue looking at?’
    ‘Who?’ Her greenish eyes were round.
    The amplifying system gave a sudden wail and Miss Hazlewood jerked up straight in her pew. The loudspeakers cleared their corporate throat and announced apologetically: ‘Testing, one, two, three . . .’ Then came harsh gritting and a faint ‘Fred, try that one . . .’ before a fruity cough ended the broadcast. Miss Hazlewood started up.
    ‘I must go to see to them—!’
    ‘Please sit down, Miss Hazlewood.’
    ‘But I really have told you everything now . . .’
    ‘I think you can spare us a little longer.’
    Resentfully she plumped down again, kicking at a hassock that impeded her feet. Her sharp, small features had an obstinate set and she fretted at her skirt with a finger.
    ‘Well it was Leonard – if you must know! He seemed to have it in particularly for him. I thought he was doing it deliberately to make mischief between Leonard and Walt. But Walt didn’t notice. He was too upset. All he had eyes for was Terry. And Terry said it could be any one of us, or even a girl – looking at me.’
    ‘Did Meares make any response?’
    ‘Of course not. Simply stared back at Terry with contempt.’
    ‘What about the others?’
    ‘When Terry hinted at me was when Tom told him to clear out.’
    ‘And then he went?’
    ‘Yes – because Tom would have thrown him out if he hadn’t. Tom’s as gentle as a kitten really, but he won’t stand people insulting women.’
    She broke off to stare at an electrician who was trailing a cable down the aisle. The man looped it round a pillar, grinned, and went on his way.
    ‘Tell me what was said after Virtue left.’
    ‘What? We had to rally round Walt, of course. Uncle Henry principally – he’s a doctor, so he’s rather good at it.
    ‘He was trying to persuade him to carry on.’
    ‘He told him that the part was bigger than the player. That he owed it to music, that sort of thing. He bullied him a bit – but then, he had to.’
    ‘Was the understudy mentioned?’
    ‘I don’t think so. At least, not in Walt’s hearing. Tom thought that Walt would come round and carry on, but Uncle Henry wasn’t so certain. Obviously Walt couldn’t go home. Uncle Henry offered to put him up. Walt decided he needed to be alone and went off, and Uncle Henry let him.’
    ‘And then?’
    ‘That’s about it.’ She flicked a thread from her skirt. ‘Uncle Henry and Tom went for a drink. Leonard and I preferred to go.’
    ‘Together . . . of course.’
    ‘Yes.’ Her finger raked across the material. ‘I take it you’re not suggesting that I had anything to do with what happened.’
    Gently’s face was bland. ‘Did you?’
    Her body jerked. ‘No, I didn’t! Good lord, you’ve only to ask Leonard. He can tell you I went straight home.’
    ‘Because he went with you?’
    ‘I – no!’ Blush spots appeared under her eyes. ‘As a matter of fact I did offer him a lift, but he said he’d rather walk.’
    ‘You usually gave him a lift?’
    ‘Yes – sometimes. Mostly I suppose, if it comes to that!’
    ‘But not on Tuesday.’
    ‘Look, I went straight home. Ask Daddy and Mummy – they’ll tell you.’
    Gently considered the small, flushed face. ‘What reason did he give – for forgoing your company?’
    ‘I didn’t need a reason. We were all upset. I was glad to be alone, too.’
    ‘He simply said, Not tonight, Laurel.’
    ‘Oh my goodness!’ Her eyes were fierce. ‘If you must know he said he’d sooner walk because he had a call to make on his way home.’
    ‘A call to make . . .’
    ‘Yes! Just ask him, he’ll tell you it’s true.’
    ‘Then he wouldn’t have seen you leave.’
    ‘Yes – I passed him.’
    ‘Where?’
    ‘At the bottom of Saxton Road.’
    Gently’s expression was incredulous. ‘That’s convenient, Miss Hazlewood, but Saxton Road isn’t on his way home.’
    ‘I don’t
care
. It’s where I saw him. And he waved, so I know he recognized me.’
    ‘And you of course