Secrets on Saturday by Ann Purser Page A

Anyway, you’re old enough to have a boyfriend, surely?”
    “Course I am,” Floss said quickly. “It’s just that my dad’s …”
    “ … a bit old-fashioned,” finished Josie. “Well, now, which box d’ you want? This one’s got a gold heart on it. A selection of milk and dark chocs. Cor, makes my mouth water just looking at them!”
    Floss paid for the chocolates, and smuggled them back into her bedroom. She was meeting Ben that evening—his birthday—and looked forward to sharing her present. Not much money left for her savings, but so what? No one need know.
    I N HER OFFICE , L OIS SAT IN FRONT OF THE COMPUTER , surfing the web. She was more than competent now with the new technology which Derek had said she’d never master. Now she was searching for sites on badger-baiting, and was surprised at the long list which came up. She read carefully, and after an hour or so, knew a greatdeal about the whole sordid business. Now she had come across records of cases up in court. Names were named, and addresses, and the sentences the guilty men received. They were all ages, and were from all over the country. A thought struck her and she checked for Abthorpes on this site. None. There was a Reginald Tompkins, with a London address, but Lois passed over it. Reg was a common enough name. And Tompkins was nothing like Abthorpe.
    She looked at her watch. It was time to get going. She had promised to look in on Frances Wallis, and could do it before setting off to the Tresham office.
    Cowgill met her as she emerged from her house. She had driven her car on to the road and was shutting the garden gates. He lowered his window and waved, pulling up by the kerb. She hesitated, then, remembering his bereavement, walked up to his car. “Is this a good idea?” she said, and added quickly, “Oh, and how are you now?”
    He nodded firmly. “Fine, thanks. This is an official call. Have you turned up anything interesting on Everitt?”
    “Look,” said Lois, “my mother and husband both suspect I’m what they call ferretin’ again. If they see me talking to you …”
    “Surely you can spare a minute or two without being rushed inside by Gran playing bodyguard?”
    Lois’s sympathy vanished. “Oh, very clever,” she said. “I’ll give you a ring. Now bugger off.” His smile was broad, and he chuckled as he drove off. That was more like it!
    F RANCES W ALLIS DID NOT ANSWER THE DOOR . T HE TERRI ers were behind the side gate, frantic and deadly. Lois rang the bell again, and peered in the window. But the net curtains were a match for prying eyes. There was not even a shadowy movement inside the room. Ah well, she must have gone out, thought Lois. And I’m certainly not opening that gate! If she’s out, she’s feeling better, like asnot. She turned away, and was suddenly aware that the terriers had stopped barking. She whipped round, but too late. No dogs, no woman, nothing. But somebody had taken them in.

F IFTEEN

    “W HERE ARE YOU GOING , F LOSSIE ?”
    “Out.”
    Floss’s father sighed. “You’re too old for that sort of cheek,” he said. “We only want to know so that—”
    “So that if I get kidnapped and never seen again, you’ll at least know where I was going?” Ross had flushed, and wished she didn’t have to deceive her parents. But really, Dad was too much.
    “It happens, Floss,” her mother said gently. “Is it the usual get-together with your friend?” And then, knowing exactly where Floss was going, she added to her husband, “I’m sure she’ll be fine and safe with her, dear.” She kissed the top of his head, winked at Floss, and went out to the kitchen to make a soothing cup of coffee.
    Ben was waiting for Floss at the edge of the village, and they walked quickly away, up the hill towards the woods. “Don’t worry, babe,” he said. “Maybe I should come to your house more often, and your dad could get to know me. Find out that I’m not a serial rapist or worse.”
    Floss