Sad cypress - Agatha Christie [25]
As regards the lodge-keeper, Gerrard, and the question of pensioning him off, I hear from Dr Lord that the old man is seriously ill and not expected to live.
Probate has not yet been granted, but I have advanced one hundred pounds to Miss Mary Gerrard pending the settlement.
Yours sincerely,
Edmund Seddon
Letter from Dr Lord to Miss Elinor Carlisle, July 24th:
Dear Miss Carlisle, – Old Gerrard passed away today. Is there anything I can do for you in any way? I hear you have sold the house to our new MP, Major Somervell.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Lord
Letter from Elinor Carlisle to Mary Gerrard, July 25th:
Dear Mary, – I am so sorry to hear of your father’s death.
I have had an offer for Hunterbury – from a Major Somervell. He is anxious to get in as soon as possible. I am going down there to go through my aunt’s papers and clear up generally. Would it be possible for you to get your father’s things moved out of the Lodge as quickly as possible? I hope you are doing well and not finding your massage training too strenuous.
Yours very sincerely,
Elinor Carlisle
Letter from Mary Gerrard to Nurse Hopkins, July 25th:
Dear Nurse Hopkins, – Thank you so much for writing to me about Father. I’m glad he didn’t suffer. Miss Elinor writes me that the house is sold and that she would like the Lodge cleared out as soon as possible. Could you put me up if I came down tomorrow for the funeral? Don’t bother to answer if that’s all right.
Yours affectionately,
Mary Gerrard
Chapter 7
Elinor Carlisle came out of the King’s Arms on the morning of Thursday, July 27th, and stood for a minute or two looking up and down the main street of Maidensford.
Suddenly, with an exclamation of pleasure, she crossed the road.
There was no mistaking that large dignified presence, that serene gait as of a galleon in full sail.
‘Mrs Bishop!’
‘Why, Miss Elinor! This is a surprise! I’d no notion you were in these parts! If I’d known you were coming to Hunterbury I’d have been there myself ! Who’s doing for you there? Have you brought someone down from London?’
Elinor shook her head.
‘I’m not staying at the house. I am staying at the King’s Arms.’
Mrs Bishop looked across the road and sniffed dubiously.
‘It is possible to stay there, I’ve heard,’ she allowed. ‘It’s clean, I know. And the cooking, they say, is fair, but it’s hardly what you’re accustomed to, Miss Elinor.’
Elinor said, smiling:
‘I’m really quite comfortable. It’s only for a day or two. I have to sort out things at the house. All my aunt’s personal things; and then there are a few pieces of furniture I should like to have in London.’
‘The house is really sold, then?’
‘Yes. To a Major Somervell. Our new Member. Sir George Kerr died, you know, and there’s been a bye-election.’
‘Returned unopposed,’ said Mrs Bishop grandly. ‘We’ve never had anyone but a Conservative for Maidenford.’
Elinor said:
‘I’m glad someone has bought the house who really wants to live in it. I should have been sorry if it had been turned into a hotel or built upon.’
Mrs Bishop shut her eyes and shivered all over her plump aristocratic person.
‘Yes, indeed, that would have been dreadful – quite dreadful. It’s bad enough as it is to think of Hunterbury passing into the hands of strangers.’
Elinor said:
‘Yes, but, you see, it would have been a very large house for me to live in – alone.’
Mrs Bishop sniffed.
Elinor said quickly:
‘I meant to ask you: Is there any especial piece of furniture that you might care to have? I should be very glad for you to have it, if so.’
Mrs Bishop beamed. She said graciously:
‘Well, Miss Elinor, that is very thoughtful of you – very kind, I’m sure. If it’s not taking a liberty…?’
She paused and Elinor said:
‘Oh, no.’
‘I have always had a great admiration for the secretaire in the drawing-room. Such a handsome piece.’
Elinor remembered it, a somewhat flamboyant piece of inlaid marqueterie. She said quickly:
‘Of course you shall have it, Mrs Bishop. Anything else?