Chapter 15
The following morning, Dorothy woke early and lay in her bed thinking about what it was she was asking of Gina and now Juliet. A complete stranger and her own granddaughter. If Sophie and Luke found out before they found the painting then she was sure she was going to be in a lot of trouble.
She tried to put it to the back of her mind and concentrate on the day ahead first. She was going to be spending some time on the back of Gina’s quad bike, so it would really be a test of how much she trusted the woman and also whether she could even get on it in the first place.
They met outside the front of the house and Harry picked them all up in a minibus. Leonard had gone ahead on his motorbike, apparently with his dodgy knee padded and supported.
Dorothy made another comment about it feeling like they were on a school trip and got a bark of laughter and agreement from Juliet and Miles, but a stern look from Paul.
‘I have to say, I was expecting a little more from Leonard,’ she said unable to help herself.
‘What? More ice sculptures and less day out for the local scouting group you mean?’ Miles said.
‘I think that Len is putting on a wonderful week for us all,’ Paul said. ‘You could be a little more grateful. Who else would do what Len does?’
‘You’re absolutely right – no one else is capable of what Leonard does,’ Dorothy said pointedly.
Paul looked momentarily mollified until his brain caught up with Dorothy’s words and then he was left narrow-eyed and contemplative.
Gina turned in her seat and smiled at Dorothy over the headrest, but Dorothy noticed she was looking a little apprehensive. Juliet had her head in her phone and her earbuds in as usual, but she was smiling at something she was watching. Dorothy felt disconcerted about Juliet filming people and hoped it was a short-lived exercise in her boredom this week. Lavinia, Dorothy noticed, was looking apprehensively out of the window; Miles was reading the newspaper; Sophie seemed genuinely excited about the prospect of driving around the countryside on four bumpy wheels; and Luke had his arm draped across the headrest, almost around her shoulders, but not quite. Rufus looked thunderous. Sandra and Paul sat side by side, barely touching, and looked a thousand miles apart. In contrast, at the back with their limbs as entwined as was possible and acceptable were the happy couple, and Dorothy smiled warmly at them. No matter what else happened this week, missing painting or no missing painting, these two lovely people would be married.
The lane to the farm building where the quad bikes were was potholed and the last mile was incredibly disorientating.
‘I shall be glad to get out of this wretched contraption,’ Dorothy said.
‘Only to get onto another,’ Gina told her.
‘You will take it steady, won’t you? I am eighty-nine, you know.’
‘I’m seventy-one. I’ll be taking it very steady,’ Gina said. ‘Do we really need to do this? I’ve honestly never driven a quad bike before. I’m not even sure how.’ Gina had lowered her voice and her mouth was set in a grim, tight line.
‘Seventy-one – that’s no age at all,’ Dorothy said. ‘I’d certainly have been up for the challenge when I was that age, especially if I found myself suddenly single like yourself. The world is yours for the taking and you should take it, while you still can. Say yes to opportunities, say no to housework.’
‘You do housework do you, Mum?’ Sophie asked her with a grin.
‘I’ve been known to wield a duster, yes,’ Dorothy replied.
Her voice was animated, which in the confined space of the vehicle meant that everyone was suddenly privy to Gina’s change in circumstances. Dorothy gave Gina an apologetic smile and decided she’d keep her thoughts to herself from now on.
The rattling and bumping in the minibus suddenly came to a stop and Dorothy could see that they were at a large building with a corrugated roof and huge sliding doors. A great place to store a lot of stolen items, she thought, but actually the doors were open and she could see that what it mostly stored was farm machinery and gardening equipment.
Leonard was standing outside the front and having a conversation with a young man in jeans and a black leather jacket. The man was looking down at Leonard’s hand, which sat casually on his arm, and Dorothy didn’t have time to tell whether the gesture was welcome or not, because Leonard removed it as soon as the minibus appeared.
The ground at the front of the building was a quad bike car park and there was another man, lying on the ground, who was fiddling around with the underneath of one. Two vans with large trailers were parked up and Dorothy suddenly felt a frisson of excitement or possibly alarm; it was hard to distinguish between the two. The day was glorious and the thought of biking around the countryside was suddenly very appealing.
An hour of instruction and squabbling later and they were finally off. They all had bike-style helmets on and had had to prove competency by driving around the yard before the two men would allow them out – Dorothy had stood back and watched that fiasco, thoroughly entertained. Gina had been very hesitant and Dorothy heard her say more than once that she’d be just as happy not doing it, but she’d had nothing but encouragement from the rest of the group and now stood with her arms across her chest looking as if she’d rather be anywhere else than here. Leonard had assured the quad bike owners that he would be in charge and fully responsible for the welfare of the group, which made Dorothy raise her eyebrows so far they disappeared into her hairline.
Leonard gave up his own large bike to Gina and Dorothy, which Gina later said was very considerate, but Dorothy suggested it was an act of unparalleled violence, because it meant he’d obviously sabotaged it and they were both likely to die. Her thoughts, it seemed, could not be kept to herself after all. The others had squabbled over the remaining vehicles, which all looked pretty good, but still much deliberation was needed. Juliet wanted the one with handlebars that matched her top; Caroline and Toby wanted ones that matched each other; Lavinia and Miles argued over whether she was actually coming, because it really wasn’t her thing; both Sandra and Paul declared they were happy with anything before both rushing for the same bike; and Rufus sat down on the one nearest him, his face still looking like a gathering storm.
‘Perfect,’ Leonard said, and then went back into the shed for a shiny new one that elicited a groan from a few of the party. He started it up and then there were no words worth saying because they’d never have been heard anyway. Leonard manoeuvred out of the yard and, with a wave of his hand above his head, he encouraged them all to follow him.
Because Gina and Dorothy had been given the large bike it meant that Dorothy could sit comfortably behind Gina, although she had to be helped on to it by three people.
‘I’m sure this isn’t what a companion would usually be asked to do,’ Gina said as she started her engine.
‘Noted,’ Dorothy said simply, but in her mind she was already thinking about Gina’s fee for the week and how she’d definitely need to increase the figure. She was asking an awful lot of her.
When they set off, though, Gina proved a very competent driver and Dorothy settled into her seat and actually began to enjoy herself. Gina’s shoulders lowered a little as they went and she seemed to relax a bit too.
Leonard’s estate was huge: 3,000 acres in total, of parkland, woodland, lakes, farming fields and cottages, and he wanted them to see it all. He’d set them up with walkie-talkies so he could give them a running commentary about where they were and what they could see and, despite herself, Dorothy was enjoying every minute of it. Gina had the walkie-talkie attached to the handlebars of the quad and as Leonard didn’t require a response to his commentary they could listen without Gina having to touch it.
As they headed out along the banks of a river and across to what Leonard called the Great Wood, Dorothy thought about Philip and what he would have made of all this. He would have been impressed – it would be hard to find someone who wasn’t – but the way his relationship with Leonard had soured, Dorothy knew Philip wouldn’t have wanted to accept an invitation to visit. He wouldn’t have wanted to have given Leonard the opportunity to show off his superior collection. Perhaps Leonard wouldn’t have wanted Philip to see other things he might have stolen. She let that thought roll around her mind for a moment. Of course! It couldn’t just be Philip’s painting. Leonard was someone who took what he wanted. There must be more to find and that thought made her smile.
She settled into the ride and watched the landscape roll past. The Great Wood had beautiful dappled sunlight sparkling down through the canopy of the trees. The distinct and resinous scent of pine was crisp and it combined with the damp earth and the musty smell of the woody debris. Gina had dropped back a bit and let the others get a little further ahead so the noise of their machines didn’t distract too much from their peaceful setting.
‘I’d like to stop and walk about,’ she called out to Dorothy. ‘These quad bikes are spoiling the atmosphere.’
‘I agree,’ Dorothy called back to her, ‘but I am having a lot of fun too.’
‘Keep up, stragglers, at the back. We’re going down across the park and past the tower before we head into the village for lunch. You don’t want to get lost.’
Leonard’s voice came through the radio at them and Dorothy held on a little tighter as Gina picked up her pace again.
‘Yes we bloody do want to get lost,’ Dorothy said. ‘Can he hear me through that thing?’
‘No, don’t worry. It’s only when I press the button on the side.’
‘Shame,’ Dorothy said and Gina laughed.
‘Do you know, Dorothy, I think you’re amazing,’ Gina called out as she took a corner at quite a speed and Dorothy whooped with delight from the back.
They caught up with the others at the tower and Leonard had no history for it, which made Dorothy a little cross. Another example of the man not realising what he had, not appreciating what was right in front of his face. This made her think about the thief not taking the best pieces from her home. An amateur burglar, or someone with specific instructions about what to take.
‘There would be a wonderful view from the top of the tower,’ said Gina quietly to Dorothy. ‘I assumed that it would originally have been built as a viewing platform for a previous wealthy inhabitant of the estate. Perhaps to watch racing or similar.’
‘No idea what it was used for originally, but I had it tarted up and it’s now a holiday let. So remember that if you fancy a few days away from it all. I give good family and friends rates.’Leonard chuckled into the radio and then shut it off and carried on.
‘Do you think the painting could be hanging in there?’ Gina asked.
‘No,’ Dorothy said firmly. ‘It will be where he can see it all the time. I really do believe it will be hidden in plain sight. It’s in his nature to win, to covet and to then have at any cost. He won’t have it tucked away like a guilty secret. He would almost want someone to stumble across it. That would be a game he’d like to play – you can be sure.’
‘Woe betide the man who stands in his way,’ Gina quoted from when Leonard caught her snooping in the library. ‘I absolutely agree with you, Dorothy. The painting is definitely in that house.’
Leonard continued to tell them about the careful management of his land by park rangers and also the partnership with his tenant farming community. Dorothy noted that he might not care about the history of the place, but he was careful with what and who bought him money.
They came down off the higher ground and stopped in the small village at lunchtime. Leonard directed them down a long track and into the back end of the pub car park.
‘They’re expecting us at The Swan and you’re all to have whatever you’d like for lunch because it’s on me. I won’t tolerate drink driving, though, even if it isn’t on the public road, so go soft on the drinks – literally.’
Dorothy climbed off the quad with help from Gina and stretched out her back. Then she noticed that Harry’s car was parked up. She was pretty sure she recognised the old, battered vehicle.
‘What’s he doing here?’ she asked Gina who shrugged.
‘Maybe he’s here to see if anyone has had enough. Maybe he always trails Leonard around like a bodyguard. Perhaps he thinks that us two old ladies would give up at this point and need a lift back.’
‘Well, he’s completely off the mark. I’m loving it,’ Dorothy said, and then followed Gina inside and they headed for the bar to get a coffee. The pub was old-fashioned and cosy. The bar was a solid hunk of mahogany and looked well worn and as if it had been the propping place of many a lonely drinker for a number of years. The seats were upholstered with a tapestry-style fabric and the wall lights, set to low, all had little velvet shades. Horse brasses and paintings of hunting scenes peppered the walls and the leaded windows told of an historic setting.
There didn’t seem to be any sign of Harry, and Dorothy now wondered if she’d mistaken the car.
They found a quiet corner to tuck themselves into and, once they had sat down, Juliet joined them carrying a bottle of Coke and a packet of peanuts. She pulled over a chair from another table and folded herself into the small space between the two women. Once she’d sat down she ripped the packet open with her teeth and proceeded to pour the contents into her mouth.
‘Really, Juliet, manners,’ Dorothy scolded her.
‘Sorry,’ Juliet said with her mouthful. ‘Did you want some?’
‘No, thank you.’
‘Have you thought any more about what we were discussing yesterday?’ Gina asked her after checking who was in earshot. It seemed that the rest of the group had settled in a small room off of the main bar. Dorothy could see Leonard’s recognisable tweed trousers through the gap in the door and his signature move, jiggling his leg up and down; impatient, excited or just keen to always be moving on to the next thing, she couldn’t tell which. She felt that if she could keep her eyes on those tweeds, they were safe for a moment.
‘I really think that Grandpa’s painting won’t be the only thing Leonard has stolen,’ Juliet said in a whisper. ‘I’d be well surprised if he doesn’t have a secret hiding place with lots of stuff hidden. I was reading about this bloke who had a false wall in his home and he was growing weed in the space behind it. The police found it because they had a helicopter overhead with an infrared camera that could see the heat lamps. Clever.’
‘So, you think Leonard has a secret wall or something?’ Dorothy asked her.
‘Not necessarily a wall, but we should be thinking about the big spaces as well as the small. That way if we find some stolen stuff, but not the painting, we have enough for the police to do a proper search.’
Dorothy and Gina looked at each other for a moment.
‘That’s actually very sensible, Juliet,’ Gina said. ‘Well done. Perhaps I should start in the attic and see what I can find up there. Leonard will have things planned with all the guests arriving tomorrow, so I might be able to slip away when he’s busy.’
‘We,’ Juliet said, ‘we are a we now, don’t forget. I’m not just going to come up with the ideas and have the glory snatched away.’
‘There is no glory in this situation,’ Dorothy said. ‘This is a serious business.’
‘What are you three plotting like the witches of Eastwick?’
Dorothy realised that she’d taken her eyes off of Leonard and his tweed legs, because they were suddenly standing right next to her.
‘We were talking about doing something fun for Toby and Caroline. Maybe tying something to the back of the car, like cans. I’ve seen that done in movies. Lame movies to be honest, but it could be a laugh. Just married sort of thing. What do you think?’
Dorothy made sure not to look at Gina and kept her face neutral. She glanced between Leonard and Juliet, and was relieved to see that Leonard seemed animated by the idea.
‘Actually that sounds like a fun idea, Juliet. Let me see what I’ve got that could work. I do think we should do a little better than some old tin cans, though. The others are ordering some food, so if you can do the same then we’ll eat and go. Have whatever you want,’ he said, waving a hand above his head as he returned to the rest of the group.
‘I suggest,’ said Dorothy in a low whisper, ‘that we don’t say another word until we can guarantee we’re alone.’
Juliet and Gina both silently nodded their agreement.
They left the pub car park an hour later and Leonard told them he was going to take them back a different way so they could further admire his manor from a higher viewpoint.
It was all uphill to start with and because Dorothy and Gina hadn’t dilly-dallied around after lunch like the others, they were ahead and Gina accelerated out of the car park behind Leonard with the others following some way behind. Dorothy felt more relaxed now, but that might have been more to do with the glass of sherry she’d had with her risotto rather than the fact she was more used to being on the quad bike. Leonard was setting quite a pace and Gina was doing her best to keep up with him. Dorothy thought it looked as if Gina was really enjoying herself and it was good to see her relaxed and happy. Then she had that stab of guilt again for what she expected from her. She pushed it back down and decided that Gina was an adult and wouldn’t do something she really didn’t want to do. What that said about the very enthusiastic Juliet she didn’t like to think about.
Leonard had pushed further ahead and Gina seemed to have dropped back a bit. She was enjoying the view, perhaps, and not keen to rattle Dorothy around too much.
‘I wonder what Paul really thinks of the inheritance,’ Gina suddenly asked. ‘How is it for him, touring the land that belongs to his brother and not to him? I sort of admire his support of Leonard. He doesn’t seem at all resentful of the situation.’
Dorothy glanced behind her, but the others hadn’t been so quick and were still a way back.
‘I have heard, through Miles, that Leonard has left the entire estate to his brother in his will,’ she said.
‘Oh, perhaps it was Paul who fiddled with Leonard’s saddle then,’ Gina said, laughing.
‘Possibly,’ said Dorothy.
‘I was only joking,’ Gina said, accelerating again to catch Leonard up, but it set off something in Dorothy’s mind.
‘If he is trying to bump his brother off,’ Dorothy said. ‘We need to make sure he doesn’t before we find that painting.’
They had nearly reached the summit of the hill and were closing in on Leonard.
‘Leonard’s got some liquid coming from the back of his quad bike,’ Gina said. ‘Leonard!’
Gina shouted out to him, but he was just that bit too far ahead. She pressed the button on the walkie-talkie, but there wasn’t any of the beeping Dorothy had heard earlier. Surely the battery hadn’t run down already. Gina handed it back to her.
‘Can you get this working?’ she said, and then she sped up to try and drive alongside him and get his attention. It was too late, though, because instead of stopping at the top, Dorothy watched as Leonard pressed frantically at the brakes and then disappeared over the edge.