Chapter 33
Tea – an aromatic and comforting beverage, best made with loose leaf tea and freshly boiled water in a warmed pot. Ideal for a crisis.
A s they went into the kitchen a distressed springer greeted them, jumping up and whining, her tail between her legs.
‘Oh, Angel. Did you sense someone outside, girl?’ Livvy bent to comfort her.
‘I’ll put the kettle on.’ Daisy shrugged, ‘I can’t think of anything more productive to suggest. I’m so sorry, Livvy. This is awful and really unlike Lullbury. I promise you, usually nothing ever happens here.’
‘I’ll take Angel out. She’ll need a wee and I’ll have a look around,’ Mark said. ‘You’d best report it.’
Livvy nodded, grateful. She couldn’t help but be relieved that he was the one going out in the cold and dark when someone with ill-intent was around. She went through to the bar, put on the wall lights, stoked up the fire and went online to report.
To her surprise, a PC Khan rang back almost immediately. No one was available to get out tonight, he said, but, should she wish it, someone could attend in the morning. The advice would be to fit security cameras.
‘Is there anything else I can do?’ Daisy bustled through, bringing a tray. ‘Hope you don’t mind but I found some biscuits.’
Livvy started. Her nerves were shot. ‘Thanks. Think they’re what’s left over from the board games afternoon.’
Daisy put the tray on the bar and began to pour.
‘I heard it went really well.’ She brought Livvy a steaming mug.
Looking around she added, ‘Funny being in here when the last time it was packed. Places have a different atmosphere when empty, don’t they?
’ Putting her hand to her mouth, she said, appalled, ‘Sorry. Not the most tactful of things to say after what’s just happened. ’
Livvy forced a laugh. ‘Don’t worry. I’m used to being here on my own.
Having Angel around has helped. Speaking of which, here she comes.
’ The springer scurried into the bar and nose-butted her knees.
‘You can be always sure of a warm welcome when Angel’s around.
’ She buried her hands in the dog’s thick fur. ‘Ooh, you feel cold.’
Mark followed, clapping his hands together. ‘It’s freezing out there and I mean literally. Thanks, Daisy,’ he said, as she handed him a mug. He toed a chair nearer the wood burner and sat down.
‘Is it still snowing?’ Livvy asked.
‘No, it’s stopped. Just a hard frost.’
‘Could you see anything,’ Livvy paused, ‘or anyone?’
He shook his head. ‘Angel ran round in circles, nose to the ground. She could obviously smell someone had been out there but I’m pretty sure they’ve gone now. Whoever has done this is far away. They won’t hang around.’ He sipped his tea. ‘What did the police say?’
Livvy repeated what she’d been told. ‘I’m not sure what the police could do if they did come round tomorrow.’
‘They wouldn’t take fingerprints or anything?’ Daisy asked.
‘Don’t think vandalism, however distressing, is high enough up the agenda.’
‘That’s shocking.’ Daisy drank her tea thoughtfully. ‘I can’t think of anyone in town who would do something like this and it’s a definite escalation of what happened before, isn’t it? Almost as if it’s personal.’
‘Oh it’s personal all right,’ Mark put in grimly. ‘Have you any idea who it might be, Livvy?’
She shook her head, exhaling heavily. ‘I can’t think of anyone who dislikes me enough.’ She shuddered.
‘The ex-boyfriend?’ he suggested.
‘Gavin?’ Livvy went silent for a moment. ‘Can’t see what motive he’d have. He made it abundantly clear he wasn’t interested in running the pub with me.’
‘Take it from me, ex-boyfriends can go weird,’ Daisy said, bitterly.
‘But, as far as I know, Gavin’s still working in the midlands. Why would he drive all the way down here just to do some petty vandalism? It doesn’t make sense. And I haven’t annoyed any local pub owners, or anyone else as far as I know, so it’s a complete mystery.’
Daisy shook her head vehemently. ‘Everyone I’ve talked to has said what a great job you’re doing and that they’re happy the pub is open again.’ She pointed a shortbread finger. ‘There’s trade enough for everyone. Rick says the same thing.’
‘So, do we think it’s bored teenagers?’ Mark asked. ‘There was a spate of vandalism going on a while back.’
‘You mean Eli?’ Daisy asked.
He nodded.
‘That was a while ago,’ Daisy said, ‘and it was led by a kid who came from Axminster. He was the one who pinched the cars; Eli was stupid enough to get in them. Idiot. And I know my cousin’s no angel but he’s grown out of all that now.’
‘I really don’t want to think of Eli doing it.’ Livvy sighed. ‘He seems happy working here, wants to prove that he’s put all that behind him.’
Daisy sat up suddenly, putting her tea in peril. ‘Besides, he was at the service tonight. He was with Lucie.’
‘He was, although he came in late,’ Livvy agreed. ‘I remember seeing him sneak in. Who else can we eliminate?’
‘Half the town,’ Mark said. ‘The church was packed. I had to sit right at the back. Squashed in with Tracy from The Sea Spray.’ He mustered a grin. ‘Kept me warm. And the bonus was she had a hip flask.’
They lapsed into a heavy silence, only punctuated by the hiss and crackle of the fire. The rap on the kitchen door had them all jumping a foot. Angel ran to it, barking furiously.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Daisy said. ‘That’ll be Rick. I rang him to collect me when he’d finished work. Didn’t fancy walking home in the dark on my own. Not after what’s happened.’
‘I hate how this is making us all feel,’ Livvy muttered through clenched teeth.
Daisy put a hand to her shoulder as Mark went to let Rick in. ‘Me too. I love living in a town where I feel safe enough to walk around on my own whatever the time. I just got a bit spooked tonight.’
Rick came in, looking concerned. ‘Livvy, I’m so sorry this has happened. Is there anything I can do?’ He ran a hand through his dark hair and swore. ‘This just shouldn’t happen in Lullbury Bay!’
Daisy went to him and cuddled into his side. Livvy watched on with envy. She could really do with a hug right now. ‘Look, Livvy, if there’s anything we can do, just ask. If you want to borrow Primrose – that’s my work van – until yours is back up and running, then please do.’
Livvy stood up, shaken at how wobbly her legs felt. ‘Thanks, both. Thank you, Mark. You’ve all been so kind keeping me company. Oh and, Daisy, we didn’t even have that drink.’
Daisy came to her and kissed her on the cheek. ‘There’ll be other times. Night, my lovely. Stay safe.’
‘I’ll see you out,’ Mark offered.
Livvy collapsed onto her chair, turning her mug of tea round in her fingers. She looked up as he returned. ‘You should be getting off home too. I suppose you’ll have to ring a taxi?’
He shook his head and sat back down. ‘I’m staying here tonight.
’ Putting up a hand to deflect her protestations, he added, ‘I’ve rung Nats.
She’s fine and sends her love by the way.
Neither of us would dream of you being here alone when this has happened.
Besides,’ he grinned, ‘taxis are hard to come by at this hour in this town and I really don’t want to walk all that way in the cold. Call me a wuss.’
‘I wouldn’t dream of it, but honestly wouldn’t you rather be in your own bed? Oh, Mark,’ her hand flew to her mouth. ‘Will you be able to get your car fixed in time to drive up to York?’
‘I’ll have a ring round tomorrow but it’s Christmas Eve, it’ll be a bit tight.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ Livvy said in a small voice. ‘That’s your Christmas ruined.’
‘Not at all. I’m sure I’ll be able to find somewhere open to replace the tyres.’
‘What about the paint?’
‘That might take a little more sorting. Tell you what,’ he said briskly, ‘how about that drink? Think we could both do with one.’
‘Absolutely.’ Livvy rose but her legs gave way, everything crowded in on her and she staggered. Her face crumpled and, putting her hands up to cover her distress, she began to sob.
Mark surged to his feet, wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.
He crooned comforting nonsensical phrases until she’d stopped shaking.
Leading her to the settle under where the darts board used to be, he arranged the cushions around her.
‘Back in a mo.’ He returned with two tumblers brimming with whisky.
‘You’re in shock. I’m not entirely sure this is the right remedy, but it was the only thing I could think of seeing as we’ve done tea and biscuits.
’ Putting the glasses down on the table in front of them, he slid in beside her, putting an arm around and pulling her close.
He rested his chin on top of her head. ‘I’m so sorry this is happening to you, Livvy. ’
‘It’s not your fault.’
‘I just wish I could find out who’s done it. I’m fucking furious.’
It was so unlike him to swear, Livvy almost giggled. Squashing down the building hysteria, she said, ‘I’m so sorry about your car.’
‘Oh, Livvy.’ He sighed and swore some more under his breath. ‘I don’t mean about my car, that’s fixable. I mean this targeted campaign, because that’s what it’s beginning to look like.’
Much as she’d loved the feel of his arms around her, Livvy sat up and moved away. Picking up the whisky, she took a mouthful. Feeling the liquid run a fiery path inside brought her back to herself. ‘Sorry.’
‘You keep apologising. There’s no need.’ Mark pointed his tumbler. ‘You haven’t done anything.’
‘It’s just not the way I envisaged the evening turning out,’ she said sadly. ‘I loved the Christmas service, felt all warm and glowy inside. Was looking forward to a quiet drink here with friends and then it all went wrong.’
‘And, as I say, you’ve done nothing to deserve any of this. For all we know it could well be bored kids.’
‘I’d rather it was, than a focused campaign.’ She swallowed another mouthful of whisky. ‘Makes about as much sense but makes me feel far less hated.’
He took her hand and held it. ‘You’re not hated, Livvy. Far from it.’
She sucked in a breath. ‘Good. Right then,’ she added decisively, needing to do something practical.
‘We’d better get you sorted with some bedding.
And go to bed. I’ve an early start tomorrow.
Loads to do. Got the stock taker coming round, got to prep for the party and there’ll be the visit from the police of course. ’
‘I’ll be okay. I’ll sleep down here in front of the fire.’
‘Oh no you won’t,’ Livvy said, horrified. ‘Not when I’ve a spare bedroom. My mother may not have approved but it’s decent enough. And I might even be able to find you a toothbrush. Could you, would you mind–’ she let the question trail off, embarrassed.
‘Anything.’
Livvy winced. She hated asking. Hated being so dependent. ‘Would you mind coming round with me making sure it’s all locked up down here before we go up to bed?’
‘No problem.’
‘Thank you, Mark.’ She let out a breath in relief. ‘Thank you so much.’
He leaned in and kissed her swiftly on the top of the head. ‘It’s the least I can do.’