The Wild Wood Enquiry by Ann Purser Page A

that had turned up in the most unlikely places. He managed a couple of sandwiches and two jam tarts and then asked her if she had shown the earring to Roy and Ivy.
    “No, I put it in my pocket and then temporarily forgot about it. My first thought was to look after the two dear old things, in case they were suffering from shock.”
    “Well, do you want me to look after it, or will you keep it with you? We won’t do anything until we’ve told the others. We are having a planning meeting tomorrow at Tawny Wings, and I’m sure the others will want you to bring it along.”
    “We should tell the police,” Miriam said reluctantly.
    Gus shook his head. “It will keep another twenty-four hours,” he said. “But do look after it carefully.”
    “I’d be happier if you had it. If that hand was Katherine’s, well…” She hesitated, and her lip quivered.
    “But who on earth would know that you had found it? You didn’t tell Ivy or Roy, so there’s only me!”
    Miriam stared at him. “You? But Gus, why would you not want to tell the police?” Then the full horror of the possibility struck her. Gus had loathed his ex-wife, and her sudden decision to visit could have completely unhinged him. She snatched the earring back from him, picked up her food tray, and left, muttering to herself as she went.
    “Oh dear,” said Gus to Whippy, who was asleep in her basket. “Looks like I’m suspect number one for a crime that’s not necessarily been committed. What next, little dog?”
    Whippy opened one eye, wagged her tail and went back to sleep.
    NEXT MORNING, IVY was up with the lark, sorting out her clothes for the wash, opening her windows wide to let in the cool breeze, and if anyone had been listening, they would have been surprised to hear her humming a waltz tunelessly as she sorted out sensible knickers, a blouse with soup stains down the front, and a skirt that Tiddles had jumped on with muddy feet.
    What am I doing in here? she asked herself, straightening up from putting on comfortable shoes. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I should never have listened to Deirdre. But then, if I had stayed in Ringford, I would never have met Roy.
    Dear Roy, he was such a comfort and made her feel wanted and worthwhile. She remembered now her last year in Victoria Villa, where she had sat all day in a rocking chair in the kitchen, old Tiddles on her lap, not bothering to change her underwear or have a bath. Her legs had become almost useless, and she had stopped cooking herself proper meals. The house had lost its pristine shine in spite of the efforts of New Brooms, the cleaning team, chiefly because she had forbidden them to tackle so many precious things that they had given up trying.
    Now she heard the breakfast bell and started off downstairs with a light heart. It was summer, Roy would be waiting for her and there was a meeting this morning to discuss their new and possibly difficult case.
    “Morning, Ivy dear.” Roy was looking his handsome best. He had a fresh shirt and his favourite tie, a cheerful stripe given to him by Ivy, neatly knotted. Never mind his stringy old neck and what was left of his white hair combed carefully over the bald patch! He had his Ivy and the new excitement of his love for her.
    “Now,” he said, “shall we have porage or porridge?”
    Ivy laughed. “Why don’t we have a change and have porage?” she asked.
    “Good idea,” said Roy. “Allow me to help you to sugar.”
    “No sugar, thanks. Just a pinch of salt, which is always a good thing to take when in doubt.”
    Roy smiled sweetly at her. “I can see it is going to be a really good morning,” he said.

Seventeen

    “MORNING, IVY,” DEIDRE said, walking into Springfields with a brisk step. “Why on earth have you called a meeting for this morning? We met as usual yesterday, and there can’t be much new to report.”
    “All will be revealed,” Ivy said. She had thought long and hard after they returned