Plans are laid

Once Redbourne, Steele and Davey had left the kitchen, silence fell on Brenda, Soppy and Mrs Hannaford. They heard the Daimler's powerful engine roar into life and then throb its way across the farmyard. No one spoke. They did not even look at each other.

It was only after a few minutes that Brenda's spirit crumpled. She began to sob quietly, tears falling down her flushed cheeks. Soppy became flustered, he had no idea what to say or do. He disliked too much emotion and found it difficult to cope with it. He was still trembling from Redbourne's onslaught and the sight of Brenda's reaction was almost too much for him. Realising the fragility of the situation, it was Mrs Hannaford who pulled herself together first. She patted Brenda on the back.

"There! There, my dear! You'm a brave and good girl! I'm sorry I doubted 'e. The way 'e stood up for 'arry, fair took my breath away." She paused and turned to Soppy. " Fetch the brandy from the cupboard over there, 'arry. Bring three cups."

A large bottle of Courvoisier stood on the top shelf, half hidden behind a row of Toby jugs. Soppy pushed the jugs to one side and reached for the bottle. He looked at it for a second, then brought it to Mrs Hannaford. "I've 'ad this stuff since my Brian's funeral." She said. "Don't like the stuff nor does 'arry. But, I think us all needs a bit right now." She poured out a measure for each of them.

Brenda winced as the liquid burned its way down her throat. Soppy choked and spluttered and grimaced, then chuckled.

"Now then," Mrs Hannaford said. "Us can't go on like this." She paused. "But, at the same time, us can't not go on like this, if you sees what I mean."-

Brenda nodded wistfully, "I know exactly what you mean. I thought I was so clever. I thought I'd get my own back on Redbourne." She paused, then looked directly into Mrs Hannaford's face, "I need to come straight with you both."

Mrs Hannaford instantly stiffened and glanced at Soppy who was still in a state of bewilderment. "So, you'm been spyin' on us, after all!"

"No, not in the way you mean. But, in a way, yes!" She told them everything that had taken place since Temple and Cantwell had first been to see her. She explained that they had been kind to her; she told them about the arrangements that they'd come to in Tinleys in Exeter. Finally, she told them about the drop. Mrs Hannaford took it all in her stride, nodding to herself every now and again. Soppy heard but did not seem to be able to take it all in.

"Well, Brenda, seems to me that your police contacts could prove useful to us, if and when us needs them. Now, let me tell you a thing or two as well, while we're in this confiding mood. She cleared her throat. "Mind you, Brenda, this is just between us three. T'ain't for the police, you'm understand?"

Brenda sat back and sipped at the brandy wondering what on earth she would hear and hoping it was something she could keep from Temple.

"Some months ago, 'arry and me got talking. Us could see things could go real bad for us. I decided to try and see if there was something us could do to 'elp ourselves. I got a little money put by." She leaned closer to Brenda. "So me and 'arry started to put bets on them
dogs that 'arry thought was goin' to do well." Soppy's pale face flushed with pleasure. "So far, we done alright. More than alright. We'm doubled my savings."

Brenda grinned, "What a good idea. If Harry is forced to make some of the dogs dodgy, and I know he doesn't like doing it, then it's only fair you should both see yourselves right." She thought for a moment, "I've got some savings, not much mind. But I'd be pleased to go in with you, if you'd have me, that is."

"What about your police pals?" Mrs Hannaford asked.

"They're pals just so long as they need me. But, like as with Redbourne, once they've used you up, they'll throw you away. I'm a useful tool at the moment - nothing more. They won't help me or you when this is all over."

"You'm right, my dear. You got to take care of Number One. No one else will do that."

"There's just one snag," Brenda said, "I can't get hold of my money unless I can get to a Post Office. I've got a savings account there."

"We got a little Post Office in the village. We can cover for you if Redbourne or one of 'is men comes unexpected like. We need to bet on the next few meetings."

"I knows who's goin' to do well, " Soppy said, "but I ain't always right!"

"We got nothin' to lose, 'arry." Mrs Hannaford said. "And we got lots to gain. Redbourne is sure to get caught out, then we'll be turfed out of Grange Farm."

"Well," Brenda said,"I'll just have to make sure I spin out a long story to Temple. The longer the three of us can make a bit on the side, the better for us!" The brandy was beginning to have its effect, she felt her confidence beginning to rise by the minute. "Tell you what, I need to get another notebook just for us. I'll keep records of our winnings and work out which bookies give the best odds. We'll make more that way."

"Enough to get a smallholding?" Mrs Hannaford asked.

"Maybe - especially if we pooled the money. Let's just wait and see, shall we?"