Unexpected Guest - Agatha Christie [34]
She broke off, as they both heard Jan’s voice inside the house, shouting excitedly.
Chapter 14
Julian Farrar and Laura ran towards the house, almost colliding with Jan as he emerged through the french windows. ‘Laura,’ Jan cried as she gently but firmly propelled him back into the study. ‘Laura, now that Richard’s dead, all of his pistols and guns and things belong to me, don’t they? I mean, I’m his brother, I’m the next man in the family.’
Julian Farrar followed them into the room and wandered distractedly across to the armchair, sitting on an arm of it as Laura attempted to pacify Jan who was now complaining petulantly, ‘Benny won’t let me have his guns. She’s locked them up in the cupboard in there.’ He waved vaguely towards the door. ‘But they’re mine. I’ve got a right to them. Make her give me the key.’
‘Now listen, Jan darling,’ Laura began, but Jan would not be interrupted. He went quickly to the door, and then turned back to her, exclaiming, ‘She treats me like a child. Benny, I mean. Everyone treats me like a child. But I’m not a child, I’m a man. I’m nineteen. I’m nearly of age.’ He stretched his arms across the door as though protecting his guns. ‘All of Richard’s sporting things belong to me. I’m going to do what Richard did. I’m going to shoot squirrels and birds and cats.’ He laughed hysterically. ‘I might shoot people, too, if I don’t like them.’
‘You mustn’t get too excited, Jan,’ Laura warned him.
‘I’m not excited,’ Jan cried petulantly. ‘But I’m not going to be–what’s it called?–I’m not going to be victimized.’ He came back into the centre of the room, and faced Laura squarely. ‘I’m master here now. I’m the master of this house. Everybody’s got to do as I say.’ He paused, then turned and addressed Julian Farrar. ‘I could be a JP if I wanted to, couldn’t I, Julian?’
‘I think you’re a little young for that yet,’ Farrar told him.
Jan shrugged, and turned back to Laura. ‘You all treat me like a child,’ he complained again. ‘But you can’t do it any longer–not now that Richard’s dead.’ He flung himself onto the sofa, legs sprawling. ‘I expect I’m rich, too, aren’t I?’ he added. ‘This house belongs to me. Nobody can push me around any longer. I can push them around. I’m not going to be dictated to by silly old Benny. If Benny tries ordering me about, I shall–’ He paused, then added childishly, ‘I know what I shall do!’
Laura approached him. ‘Listen, Jan darling,’ she murmured gently. ‘It’s a very worrying time for all of us, and Richard’s things don’t belong to anybody until the lawyers have come and read his will and granted what they call probate. That’s what happens when anyone dies. Until then, we all have to wait and see. Do you understand?’
Laura’s tone had a calming and quietening effect on Jan. He looked up at her, then put his arms around her waist, nestling close to her. ‘I understand what you tell me, Laura,’ he said. ‘I love you, Laura. I love you very much.’
‘Yes, darling,’ Laura murmured soothingly. ‘I love you, too.’
‘You’re glad Richard’s dead, aren’t you?’ Jan asked her suddenly.
Slightly startled, Laura replied hurriedly, ‘No, of course I’m not glad.’
‘Oh yes, you are,’ said Jan, slyly. ‘Now you can marry Julian.’
Laura looked quickly at Julian Farrar, who rose to his feet as Jan continued, ‘You’ve wanted to marry Julian for a long time, haven’t you? I know. They think I don’t notice or know things. But I do. And so it’s all right for both of you now. It’s been made all right for you, and you’re both pleased. You’re pleased, because–’
He broke off, hearing Miss Bennett out in the corridor calling, ‘Jan!’, and laughed. ‘Silly old Benny!’ he shouted, bouncing up and down on the sofa.
‘Now, do be nice to Benny,’ Laura cautioned Jan, as she pulled him to his feet. ‘She’s having such a lot of trouble and worry over all this.’ Guiding Jan to the door, Laura continued gently, ‘You must help Benny, Jan, because you’re the man of the family now.’
Jan opened the door, then looked from Laura to Julian. ‘All right, all right,’ he promised, with a smile. ‘I will.’ He