The Locked Room (Ruth Galloway #14)(39)

‘No, I can’t,’ says Nelson, spreading butter thickly. ‘I’m glad that Cathbad’s found something useful to do, though.’

Ruth puts Marmite in front of Nelson. She has no idea if he likes it or not and finds herself holding her breath, only to release it when Nelson covers his toast and butter with the black spread. Flint stalks into the room, followed by Bruno.

‘I’ve got nothing to give Bruno except cat food,’ says Ruth. ‘Is that OK?’

‘He’ll probably eat it,’ says Nelson. ‘Don’t worry though. I’ll drop him off with the dog walker on the way to work. She’s got food for him.’

In the end, Ruth puts gourmet cat food down for both animals. Bruno eats his in seconds and then tries to put his muzzle into Flint’s bowl. Flint hisses at him and Bruno backs away, looking hurt.

‘He’s scared of Flint,’ says Kate.

‘So am I,’ says Nelson. He finishes his toast and drinks his coffee in one swallow.

‘I’d better be off. Bye, Katie.’ He stoops to kiss her head. ‘Bye, Ruth.’

‘Bye, Nelson.’

They look at each other.

‘See you later?’ says Nelson.

‘Yes,’ says Ruth.



Nelson walks out to his car, Bruno at his heels. Ruth doesn’t come to the door, but he sees her neighbour, Zoe, at her window. He’d initially been pleased that Ruth had someone living next door at last but now he finds himself wishing that her house was on an island, or in a secret world that only he could visit. That’s what it had felt like last night, seeing her light when he returned from his walk over the marshes. He hadn’t really thought what he was doing when he knocked on Ruth’s window, but he supposes it doesn’t take Cathbad’s sixth sense to guess what would happen. And, what’s more, it looks as if it’s going to happen again tonight.

Nelson knows that he should be worried. He has, technically, broken the Covid rules and he could get into serious trouble for it. He could even lose his job. But it’s a beautiful morning and the marshes are full of spring flowers, the sea a line of blue in the distance. Nelson finds himself singing a Frank Sinatra song as he drives, something about two sweethearts, the summer wind and an umbrella sky. He can’t remember the actual words, but he makes them up as he goes along. Bruno sways on the back seat.

He drops Bruno at Maura’s house. He wears a mask when he hands the dog over but, once again, he thinks that he really should be making other arrangements. Again, he considers whether he should ask Jan if she can look after Bruno, just until lockdown is over. He tries not to think about predictions from the Chief Constable that lockdown will go on for months, maybe even for a year. Will Michelle stay away all that time? George is due to start school in September. Nelson tries to put this out of his mind, but he doesn’t sing as he drives the rest of the way to the police station.

Judy is in the shared area, her hand sanitiser and her water bottle, correctly labelled with her name, on the desk in front of her. Nelson is pleased that it’s Judy’s turn in the office because he likes working with her. On the other hand, she’s the most likely to notice if anything is different in his manner. He must be careful not to mention Ruth.

‘Sorry I’m late,’ he says. It feels odd talking to Judy from across the room. Not that he’s one for sitting chummily on people’s desks or clasping their hands, à la Jo, but it goes against human nature to stand so far apart.

‘It’s only nine thirty,’ says Judy. ‘Can I have a word about the Avril Flowers case? I think I might have discovered something.’

‘Of course,’ says Nelson. ‘I’ll just grab a coffee first. Leah!’ He raises his voice to a polite shout.

‘She’s not in,’ says Judy.

‘Really?’ Nelson can’t remember the last time Leah missed a day of work.

‘She left a message on the answerphone.’

‘Jesus. It’s not Covid, is it?’

‘She doesn’t think so. Just a bug.’

‘She should get a test, just in case.’

‘There aren’t enough testing kits. I was hearing something about it on the radio.’

‘There’s not enough of anything, if you ask me. I’ll just go and get myself a coffee then.’ Nelson follows the arrows to the break room but then tracks back to ask Judy if she wants anything.

‘No thanks,’ says Judy. ‘Do you know, I think this is the first time you’ve ever offered to make me a drink.’

‘These are strange times,’ says Nelson.



Ruth finishes her toast, has a quick shower, dresses in her loosest trousers and joins Kate in the garden. The air is so sweet and pure that it almost takes her breath away. It’s as if nature is conspiring to make lockdown a less terrifying experience. Ruth has already noticed herself becoming interested in the tracks left by the foxes and watching the progression of the blossom on her tree. She leaves food out for the birds and has secretly named a crow Corbyn. Ruth wouldn’t normally think about her garden except on the one (usually rainy) day a year when she decides to have a barbecue. Of course, it’s only been a week and Covid hasn’t yet hit her or her friends personally. She’ll feel differently when it does. But, today, she feels alive and invincible. Nothing to do with Nelson and last night, of course.