Chapter 16 #3
“I’ll ring you when we get to Winchester. Love you! Bye!” She ended the call, leaving Todd on the other end staring at his phone.
Ashley let out a huge sigh. “Part one explained.”
Kathleen slept soundly but was jolted awake. She wasn’t sure if she had been dreaming or if she was really in Swindon. Jessica stirred and asked, “You alright?”
“Yes. Just a bit jumpy. Big day ahead.”
“Very true.”
“Sorry if I woke you.”
“I’m fine. Care for a coffee?” Jessica gestured to the coffee-maker on the small dresser.
“Not one of those,” Kathleen said. “I need the real thing. Shall I go downstairs and bring some up?”
“You don’t have to do that. I’ll go with you. Just give me a minute.” Jessica was wearing a pair of navy lounge pants with a zip-up hoodie. “Is this alright to go downstairs?”
“I think you might be overdressed,” Kathleen said and smiled. “Come on. Put some shoes on. I need to be caffeinated.”
When they entered the pub it was seven o’clock. Much to their surprise, Ashley and Emily were already having coffee.
“Looks like we’re all early risers,” Jessica said and pulled out a chair.
“I slept like a log, but when I woke up, I was wide awake,” Ashley said.
“Me too,” Emily added.
Ashley turned to Jessica. “I spoke to Dad last night. I told him about Emily and Kathleen but left out the hunt for Henry. I figured he had enough information to digest.”
“Oh good. I’ve been feeling guilty about leaving him out of the loop.”
“Loop closed,” Ashley said as she sipped on her flat white. The subject then changed. “I’m wondering if they have a flash drive at the front desk and we can do everything here.”
Kathleen looked at Emily. “Doubtful. But it’s worth a try.”
“I’ll go,” Emily offered.
“Tell them we just want to borrow it,” Kathleen called out.
Emily approached the front desk. “Good morning. I am hoping you can help me. We have to download a photo of my mum and print it out. Any chance you have a spare flash drive we could borrow to get it all done?”
The clerk thought it was an odd request but offered to check. “Be right back.” She disappeared into a room behind the counter and returned a few minutes later holding a flash drive between her thumb and forefinger. “Like this?”
“Perfect!” Emily said.
“We have a printer if need be.”
“Perfect, again! I’ll be back in a bit. Cheers!”
Emily returned to the table and told them the clerk had one and would help print the photo.
Another trek avoided. They ordered their breakfast and went over the plan again.
Kathleen began. “As soon as we locate Henry, we phone Oliver. He phones the professor and they arrange for a meetup.”
Ashley crossed both fingers on each hand. “Here’s hoping!”
“I think we’ve done quite well for a few amateur sleuths,” Emily said.
“We’re not there yet. But you’re right. We are remarkably close.”
After they finished their breakfast Kathleen scrolled through her photos. “How about the one of the two of us at the courthouse, when we got married?”
“You don’t want to give the man a shock, now do you?” Jessica said. “Although he’s in for a big one anyway.”
“How about a photo of the two of us?” Emily said half seriously.
“Nah. Let that part be a second surprise. Jessica’s right. We don’t want to give him a heart attack.”
“Perhaps your wedding photo and a more current one?” Ashley suggested.
“Brilliant.” Kathleen scrolled through again and found a recent photo of her wearing a Santa cap. “How’s this?” She turned her phone and showed it to everyone.
“I think it’s quite appropriate. The best Christmas present he’ll get.” Jessica encouraged her.
“Then that’s it.”
Jessica paid for the breakfast, and they returned to the front desk.
“Here we are!” Emily exclaimed.
“And here you go.” The clerk handed the drive to Emily, who quickly inserted it and downloaded the two photos.
“Now we need a printer,” Emily said, knowing there was one in the office.
“I can’t allow anyone in there, so I’ll have to do it for you. Any particular size?”
“Something that will fit into an envelope. By the way, do you have hotel stationery?”
“Yes, in the office. Shall I bring you a few sheets too?”
“That would be marvelous. Your assistance is greatly appreciated,” Kathleen gushed.
“No worries.” The clerk went into the back office and reappeared several minutes later carrying the photos, paper, and an envelope. “Will this do?”
“Oh my goodness! This is exactly what we need. How can I thank you?”
“I’ve got two wee ones who would appreciate a new toy.”
Jessica got the hint immediately and pulled out fifty pounds and handed it to the young woman.
“Oh, this is too much.” she said sincerely.
“Not at all. You enjoy your Christmas with your children,” Jessica replied.
“Thank you.” The young woman had tears in her eyes.
Kathleen looked at her with empathy. It was hard to raise children twenty years ago. It must be even more difficult now.
They went back to their rooms and made themselves presentable for the rest of the world. Kathleen sat at the small desk and wrote:
My darling,
I am sure this comes as a surprise to you, almost as much as it is to me.
Oliver discovered evidence that can clear you from the arrest warrant, and we have secured a lawyer to represent you.
It’s imperative that you contact Oliver immediately.
I am in town with Emily. Please phone me after you speak with Oliver.
07-903-1661
All my love, your Katie.
She read it over several times. Then she read it out loud to Jessica. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s lovely.”
“Do you think he might think it’s a trap?” Kathleen asked.
“Oh dear. That hadn’t occurred to me. However, you are rather specific. And he’s sure to recognize your handwriting. Would anyone know all these details?”
“Probably not. Besides, the judge is in the nick and doesn’t have any idea there is more evidence against him,” Kathleen assured herself.
“Well then. Put the photos and the letter in the envelope. Be sure to put Kenneth Barlow on the envelope.”
“Right. So glad you said that.” Kathleen folded the paper and slid everything into the Goddard Inn envelope.
An hour later they walked toward the post office. “You ready with your monologue?” Ashley asked.
“I am.” Kathleen nodded, mustering up her resolve.
When she walked in, a bespectacled man sat behind the desk. Kathleen thought he might be in his late seventies.
“Good morning, sir.”
He perked up. “Good morning, love. How can I help you today?”
“I’m here from Manchester. I believe my brother Kenneth Barlow has a box here. He moved recently, about a week ago, I’d say, and I don’t have his address. My daughter and I wanted to surprise him. Would it be possible for you to leave this in his box? I’ll be happy to pay for postage.”
The man looked up over the top of his wire-rimmed glasses. “Yes, Mr. Barlow has a box here. I hope he’s not moving out of town. Lovely man. Well-educated. We’d talk about the classics. Few people even know what they are these days.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Hen, er Kenneth loves Shakespeare. We used to tease him all the time. ‘Oh Romeo,’ et cetera,” she said with a nervous giggle.
“He usually stops in around three. After his shift. I could never understand why a man with his class and education is working at a dairy farm. To each his own, I suppose.”
“Kenneth was always looking to try new things. He fancied himself a writer and wanted to experience life from different points of view.” Kathleen was much more confident in the half fib.
“Fascinating,” the man replied. “Well, let’s see what ye got.”
Kathleen slid the envelope across the counter. “Shall I purchase stamps?”
The man looked from side to side as if someone were spying on him. “Probably better if you do.” He tilted his thumb toward a camera.
“Ah. Of course.” Kathleen opened her purse. “What do I owe you?”
“One pound seventy,” he said.
“I remember when it was less than half of that,” she said as she handed him the money.
“I remember when it was one tenth of that.” The man chuckled.
“Thank you so much for your assistance. I cannot wait to see the expression on his face when he discovers I’m here!”
“No problem. Happy Christmas!”
“Happy Christmas to you,” Kathleen said, then waved and exited. Emily was standing by the window and waved to the clerk. He smiled, nodded, and waved in return.
Kathleen had a broad smile on her face. “According to the clerk, Henry usually gets his mail after three.”
“It’s nine fifteen now. What should we do for the rest of the day?”
“We could go to the Museum of the Great Western Railway. I understand there’s the Queen Victoria’s Royal Saloon there too!” Emily said, looking down at her phone.
“How far is it?”
“According to this, it’s only a mile or so.”
They looked at each other. “Why not?” Kathleen said. “We can grab some lunch while we’re there. Let’s take the car.”
Ten minutes later they were at the museum.
A large plaque hung in the entrance, proclaiming “The Great Western Railway in Swindon, UK, is a significant part of British railway history. Established in the 19th century, the Swindon Works became renowned for its engineering excellence, producing some of the country’s most iconic steam locomotives.
The railway not only transformed transportation but also played a central role in the development of Swindon as a thriving industrial town.
Today, the Museum of the Great Western Railway celebrates this rich heritage, showcasing historic engines, carriages, and the unique story of the workers who built and maintained the railway. ”
Emily noted that there was an artwork collection of twenty-two watercolors, an acrylic, and thirty-four oils. The dates ranged from the early 1800s to 2013. “Lots to see. Where shall we start?”
They were sorely disappointed to learn that the saloon was no longer serving beverages to the public. However, they were duly impressed by the GWR locomotives on display.