Brenda collected the two brindle bitches from the barn. They were both eager to be out, their tails wagging furiously. They pulled her up the sloping pasture faster than she intended. At the top, she stood still to catch her breath. The view back down the hillside to the farmhouse was like a painting. Gently sloping, lush, green fields with cows grazing; the sound of cockerels crowing from the yard and smoke drifting up from the old chimney. No one was in sight.
Taking the papers from her top pocket, Brenda led the dogs to the back of the shed, lifted the
stone and placed them beneath it. She straightened up and took in a deep breath, then set off with the dogs for a walk along the level ground.
"Come on girls," she said to the two dogs, "they might be trying to make you into dodgy dogs but we are going to have a good walk this morning. Nothing dodgy about that." Some half hour later, she returned to the barn. Soppy was about to exercise three more of the dogs who were barking, eager to get out into the fresh air.
"Can I do anymore?" Brenda asked.
"Nah! You'm done enough already. You'm as pale as milk. Mrs 'annaford says you're to go into the kitchen and have a warm drink. She said you fair ran up the hill."
For a moment, Brenda panicked wondering if she could have been observed from the farm. Then she realised it would have been impossible. All she really wanted was to lie down. The previous night had been awful and she felt tired. But a drink would not come amiss.
Mrs Hannaford had two newly baked loaves and a large fruit pie on the table. The smell of baking filled the room and the kettle was boiling on top of the range.
Brenda sat down, "This is just how I imagined a farm kitchen would be. It's so warm and cosy."
As Mrs Hannaford smiled, her face was transformed and Brenda could see the woman whose real personality was kept hidden behind the sour facade.
"I'll make us both a cup of tea, you'm fair frozen. Those clothes you wear are alright for a town but they bain't right on a farm. You needs proper woollies. You'll never survive otherwise."
Brenda looked at her skirt and jacket. It was true, they weren't suitable, "Maybe I ought to buy something better. But Redbourne won't let me go shopping in Starmouth for at least another two weeks."
"Mrs Tyler, in the village, will 'ave all you'm needs: Sturdy twill trousers or riding breeches and jumpers. That's what you'm needs. Keep you warm and dry when you'm with them dogs. You can get some proper walking shoes. Boots is good for the fields but solid shoes is what you need rest of the time." She pointed at her heavy black lace-up booties. "som'at like these."
Brenda's heart sank. The thought of dressing like a land-girl horrified her. But it would, at least, give an excuse to go to the village. "You're right, Mrs Hannaford. I'll try to go to the village soon."
"We'll make a countrywoman of you yet, ma dear." Mrs Hannaford smiled warmly at her.
That afternoon, Brenda walked to the outskirts of the village. She had seen a phone box near the old coaching inn. As she dialled Cantwell's number, she hoped he would answer. She pressed button A and began hastily giving her message: "Sergeant Cantwell, it's me, Brenda Ellacott. I can't be too long - this is just to let you know I hope to be in the village shop, Tyler's that is, on Tuesday lunchtime. Any time between 12:30 and 2 o'clock. Must go." Not waiting for a reply, she replaced the receiver quickly. She did not want to be seen by anyone.
"Who's that?" Debbie asked.
"Work," Cantwell responded, "just work."
"It's supposed to be your off-duty time. I'd give that Temple an earful if I were you."
Cantwell nodded but took out his notebook, just the same. He jotted down the details Brenda had given him. Then he grinned at Debbie, "Let's go to the pub. We can have a bar snack, save you the cooking."
Debbie brightened immediately, "Can we afford it?"
"We had those winnings, didn't we? What's money for, anyway!"
With obvious delight, she ran upstairs to change. She came down wearing her new suit and a bright canary yellow jacket. With her make-up on and a big smile on her face, Cantwell knew why he had married her.
