The Couple at No. 9(36)

I trudge deeper into the woods where the trees are so dense it’s hard for any sunlight to get through and I shiver slightly in my thin jacket. Snowy pulls on his lead as we pick our way over snaking pathways and gnarled tree roots sticking out of the ground, like a network of pipes.

I’m so engrossed in my own thoughts that I don’t hear anyone behind me at first.

And then a twig snaps.

It’s so loud it makes me jump and I whip my head around. A man is standing a few feet away. I recognize him as the one outside the house the other day, the one I’m sure followed me to Gran’s care home last week.

Heat rises to my face and my mouth goes dry. Snowy stops sniffing the tree trunk to stand next to me, his ears pricked forward.

The man has on a waxed jacket and thick boots. He looks like he should be on some posh estate with a hunting rifle in his hand. ‘Hi,’ he says, smiling.

I nod to him and continue walking.

‘Saffron, isn’t it?’

I stop. Who is he? Is he a journalist? I turn to him, trying to keep my voice even. ‘Look, if you’re a reporter I know nothing more about the bodies that were found in my garden. I’m as clueless about all this as you are. It happened way before my time.’

He holds up his hand. ‘I’m not press.’

‘Oh.’ I don’t know what else to say. I feel the first prickle of unease. The woods are deserted as far as I can tell and I’m sickeningly aware that I’m alone with this strange man.

‘Actually,’ he says, ‘the name’s Davies. I’m a private detective.’

‘A – a private detective?’ Why would a private detective be following me into the woods? Why didn’t he just knock at my door?

‘I wasn’t following you,’ he says, with a little chuckle as though he’s read my mind. ‘I thought it might be a bit too early to come calling so I decided a walk in the woods was in order. They’re so beautiful.’

I frown at him. ‘Um … who hired you?’

‘I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to say.’ He gazes around the woods as though this is just a casual conversation, one he isn’t particularly bothered about, but I can tell by the tension in his body it’s an act.

‘Right. Well, I know nothing, I’m afraid, so …’ I begin to walk off.

‘Wait!’ he calls, even though he doesn’t follow me. I stop and turn towards him. ‘It’s your grandmother I really need to speak to.’

‘My grandmother? Why?’

‘It’s … Well, it’s a personal matter.’

‘My grandmother is in a care home. She isn’t up to speaking to anybody.’

A shadow passes over his face, making him look less amenable. ‘Is she ill?’

‘She has dementia.’

He rubs his hand over his stubbly chin. ‘Oh. That makes things a lot more difficult. A lot more difficult indeed. You see, my client really needs some information from her.’ His tone is colder now, all pretence at friendliness gone.

My heart quickens. ‘What kind of information?’

‘About something that happened a long time ago.’

‘I see,’ I say, although I’m completely thrown.

‘How long ago did your grandmother move out of the cottage?’

‘Years ago. She hasn’t lived there in a very long time.’

‘Do you remember what year?’

‘Not exactly, no.’ I’m not telling him anything. He seems to consider this for a moment. Snowy starts pulling on the lead impatiently. ‘Look,’ I add, ‘I really don’t know anything. My mum and I didn’t even realize Gran had this cottage until she went into the care home. I honestly can’t help you.’

He moves towards me, reaching inside his jacket. ‘Can I give you this?’ He pulls out a small cream business card. I reach out and take it from him. G. E. Davies. T&D Private Investigators is typed along the front and underneath a mobile number. ‘My client is looking for something your grandmother has. My client is certain that she’s held on to it for a number of years.’

I think of the two cardboard boxes full of her stuff and vow to go through them again. ‘What kind of thing?’

He sighs, looking frustrated. ‘Some kind of file. Paperwork.’

‘What is this all about?’

‘I’m just following orders, Saffron.’ He lowers his voice, even though there isn’t anybody around, and fear ripples through me. I take a step back. ‘My client says this file is very important. It belongs to my client and my client wants it back.’

‘Even after all these years?’

‘Yes, especially after all these years. So if you find it call me. If it gets into the wrong hands it could cause all sorts of problems for your grandmother. Okay?’

‘I … In what way?’

‘It’s complicated. But it’s very important. You do understand that, don’t you?’

I nod.

‘Good. Then I hope to hear from you.’

He turns away. I stand and watch him negotiating the pathways, stepping over thick roots, until he’s rounded the corner out of sight.





19


Theo