Chapter 82
Long John was taking an age to polish an Asprey silver pill box, Stickalampinit was arranging his latest creation in his unit – a stuffed scraggy ancient fox with a lightbulb sticking out between its ears – and he and Mart Deco were giggling like schoolboys about something that had happened last night, or so Lew picked up in a snatch of conversation. Starstruck was telling the story of how he met Frank Sinatra to Butterfly Barry who was pleased as punch with the Painted Lady stained glass panel he’d just bought. The old couple with the guide dog were back in yet again looking through Vintage Valerie’s clothes. They were all jigsaw pieces that made up a wonderful picture of familiarity. But it was not complete because there was a piece missing, in the shape of The Rainbow Lady, and the sense of loss hadn’t faded at all with the days that passed.
He missed her bringing the sunshine in with her when she opened the door each morning, he missed her bright colours, her smile, her lovely hazel eyes. He just missed being with her, in her orbit. And he had no idea what to do about it because he wasn’t even sure she thought about him in the same way he thought about her . . . but he wanted to find out. Even when he had been walking around Daffodil House with her, she was the one he pictured drawing the curtains in the evenings, planting flowers into tubs in the garden, sitting at the table with and eating Chinese food out of cartons.
The door opened and in walked a group of four old ladies.
‘This is the place I was telling you about,’ one of them was saying.
‘Oooh, I love places like this,’ said another.
‘We’ll have a poke around and then go for tea next door. They do a lovely cake.’
Two of the old ladies made a beeline for Uncle Funky’s toys and teddies, the other two came up to Lew at the counter. One of them knocked on it to attract his attention.
‘Hello,’ she said. It took him a couple of seconds to register who she was.
‘Mrs Twist. How lovely to see you again.’
Pauline Twist patted her hair at the back, flattered that she’d been remembered.
‘I came in to say thank you for that cheque you sent. It was very nice of you, very unexpected, very decent. I can’t imagine anyone else would do it.’
‘It’s a pleasure,’ smiled Lew. ‘Though I can’t take all the credit as it was Bonnie’s idea as well. The lady who took it to you.’
‘Where is she?’ asked the other lady, who Lew guessed was her sister. They were very alike in their facial features.
‘She’s having a . . . little bit of time off,’ said Lew, rolling the same line out yet again.
‘I’m not surprised, are you, Kitty?’ said Pauline, turning to her sister.
‘Is she all right?’ asked Katherine Ellison.
‘You were so happy for her, weren’t you, Kitty?’ Pauline Twist leaned forwards to Lew and thumbed back at her sister. ‘She spoke up for her, you know.’
‘Pauline,’ Katherine cautioned her sister with a tug on the arm.
Lew had no idea what she was talking about, but he wanted to find out. He jumped on the moment and bluffed.
Looking around to make sure he wasn’t in danger of being overheard, he whispered, ‘It’s all right, I know all about it.’ He felt his heart rate quicken with tension. ‘Bonnie’s told me everything. That’s why she’s off work.’
The ladies bought the lie. ‘Stephen came to see me again,’ said Katherine. ‘He should let Alma lie in peace. He doesn’t care half as much about her as he pretends to. He’s using his poor dead mother to try and control his wife. And I told him as much and not to come back. I’m just glad it’s all over. Bonnie must be so relieved.’
Now Lew was totally confused. He didn’t understand what Stephen’s late mother had to do with anything.
He heard the front doorbell jangle and saw, out of the corner of his eye, Valerie walk in. She waved to attract his attention and he gestured that he’d be with her soon. But he wasn’t about to break off this conversation for anyone.
‘Look, I have no right to ask this,’ said Lew, ‘but I think the world of Bonnie and I know Stephen has been trying to cause trouble for her. Will you tell me the whole story so I can help?’
‘I thought you knew.’ Katherine Ellison’s spine stiffened.
‘I lied,’ said Lew. ‘I’m sorry. But I’m worried about her. Really worried. Please.’
‘I’m afraid it isn’t my place . . .’ Katherine Ellison edged backwards.
‘Please. I’ve been so concerned. Help me to help her.’
Katherine looked at her sister for guidance.
‘The only other person who can tell me what’s going on is Stephen,’ Lew tried.
That worked. ‘You’d better tell him, Kitty,’ said Pauline. ‘At least he’ll get it straight from you.’
Katherine Ellison gave a long sigh of resignation. ‘Do you have somewhere we can talk in private?’ she said to Lew.