Three Things About Elsie(102)

‘Exactly. A body we believed was him washed up a few weeks later. No formal identification of course, not in those days, but the height, build and age matched, and when we traced back along the estuary, we found Ronnie’s ID card on the river bank. With no one else reported missing, we assumed the body was his and the case against him drifted into nothing.’

‘Did no one think the body might be Gabriel Price’s?’ said Miss Ambrose.

‘Gabriel’s wife didn’t go to the police for some months, because she just assumed her husband was still on the road. When she finally did try to file a report, up in Yorkshire, there was no reason to connect him with a body washed up all the way down here.’

‘Until Ronnie was mugged,’ said Florence. ‘And a small act of kindness put Gabriel Price’s name on the front page of all the newspapers.’

‘Which is why he came looking for anyone who might be able to identify him. He wanted to frighten them off. Discredit them.’ The policeman closed his notebook.

‘But you can prove it’s him now?’ said Miss Ambrose.

‘We think we’ve got a good chance. Especially with the dental records.’

‘Dental records?’ said Miss Ambrose.

The policeman nodded at the filing cabinet. ‘He had a set taken in his twenties as well. Got into a fight.’ He did a little policeman laugh. ‘Fortunately for us.’

‘He needs an X-ray and stitches. My father will take him,’ Florence said, although Simon wasn’t sure who she was talking to.

He looked at Miss Ambrose. She had her hand to her mouth.

Everyone watched from the door as Ronnie walked across the car park. At first, it was strange to think of him as Ronnie and not Gabriel, but it was amazing how quickly you got used to it. Perhaps a name didn’t really mean much at all, Simon thought. Perhaps it was just another thing to carry around, like your date of birth and your national insurance number. Perhaps what really made you you, was where you were now, where you wanted to be, and how you decided to get there.

It was whisper-quiet as Ronnie got into the car. He didn’t seem to be bothered about being arrested, which Simon found very strange. Ronnie even started whistling, although it wasn’t a tune that Simon recognised.

‘Ronnie started the fire. Ronnie.’

It was all Florence had said since the police drove away. She couldn’t be tempted on to any other subject, no matter how much everyone tried. Miss Ambrose got her a glass of water, and then a small sherry, but none of it made any difference.

‘He was worried I’d change my mind, and tell the police,’ she said. ‘He knew I stayed over at Elsie’s every Saturday night, and he wanted me gone.’

‘She’s making no sense,’ said Miss Ambrose. ‘What does she mean, “tell the police”?’

Simon shrugged and knelt on the floor. ‘That’s a nasty bruise you’ve got on your ankle, Florence. Did you have a bit of a stumble? It needs a compress, that does.’

He nodded at Gloria, who disappeared into the kitchens.

Florence leaned forward. ‘Ronnie started the fire,’ she said. ‘All these years, I thought it was my fault, and it was him all along.’

‘I know he did, Flo. But it’s nothing to do with you. Nothing to worry about.’ Simon held on to her hand.

‘I need to let Elsie know. I need to tell her.’

Miss Ambrose looked at Simon, and she gave a small shrug.

‘What have you done with her? Where is she?’ Florence tried to stand up, but she seemed to change her mind. ‘You’ve sent her to Greenbank, haven’t you? Whilst my back was turned?’

Simon looked at Miss Ambrose, and tried to find some guidance in her face.

‘No one has sent anyone to Greenbank.’ Miss Ambrose knelt down as well. ‘Try to stay calm, Flo.’

‘Then where is she? Where’s Elsie? She can’t cope for very long without me, she gets confused.’

Gloria returned with the compress, and it distracted Florence for a moment. She stared at Gloria.

‘You have very kind eyes, Gloria. You remind me of someone, but I can’t think who. Have you ever been to Llandudno?’ she said. ‘Have you ever ridden on a tram?’

Gloria shook her head.

Florence looked at them all. ‘Elsie would know. If Elsie was here, she’d know straight away. What have you done with her? Where is she? Elsie’s my best friend. There are three things you should know about her, and that’s the first one.’

‘And what’s the second thing we should know about her, Flo?’ Simon took the compress from Gloria, and wrapped it very gently around Florence’s ankle.

‘That she always knows what to say. To make me feel better.’

Simon took the edge of the bandage and started to fasten it. ‘And the third?’

Florence looked at him. ‘I don’t know,’ she said. ‘I’ve forgotten.’

‘Well then,’ he said. ‘Perhaps the third thing wasn’t that important after all. Perhaps it didn’t make much of a difference in the end.’

‘But I need to find her.’ Florence tried to stand. ‘I need to make sure she’s all right.’

Simon took Florence’s hands and looked into all the panic. ‘Elsie isn’t here right now, but it’s nothing for you to worry about. I think the best thing to do is try and get some rest. It’s been a long, strange, very sad day. My granddad always used to say everything looks better after a sleep. I think maybe he was right.’