Page 48 of A Curious Ending

‘Can we have some drinks here! NOW!’ came a loud call from the bar area. Sebastian was making his wishes known.

Kate took another quick look at Lara and without pausing grabbed a new tray of drinks. ‘I’m on it,’ she called to Sarah who was glancing over in their direction. Lara stepped out of the kitchen into the coolness of the passage that ran around the back of the bar. Abby was nowhere to be seen. Lara rested her head against the faded paintwork of the wall and closed her eyes. When she opened them she was looking down at her appalling dress and she could have cried. It was one thing talking about Julian with Sarah and Kate and believing she could brush him aside. It was another thing seeing him in the glorious flesh. She could feel her heart hammering somewhere under her ribs. Then she remembered her friend, Lady Porter (who thought Julian Armstrong was a wanker). She took a deep breath and headed back to work.

Meanwhile, Abby had returned from eavesdropping on Richard and Pinky and was happily perched on the edge of the bar, legs gently swinging from side to side. She was feeling decidedly pleased with herself. She watched as Kate made her way over to Sebastian, Julian and friends. Kate held the circular tray by the edge, rather like it was a discus that she might at any moment decide to hurl across the room. Abby was reminded of a painting she had once seen of a Celtic warrior heading into battle. Julian caught sight of Kate approaching and became noticeably quieter, choosing not to catch her eye as she distributed the cocktails. ‘So, we’re all okay then?’ Kate said. ‘No need for any more shouting,’ she said pointedly and turned around and pushed her way back through the crush.

Abby smiled down on Kate’s retreating figure. She really did remind her of her friend Emma. She sighed. Then pulling herself together, perused the crowded bar. In the distance by the doorway she spotted Dr Patil who was standing motionless watching the crowd gathered around Julian. He was wearing a long coat in indigo velvet and slim fitting navy trousers. Abby thought he looked very elegant. She could not read the look on the doctor’s face but she would have given much to know what he was thinking.

By the time Lara got to Abby’s side (and downed a lone cocktail that had been left untouched on the bar), the place was beginning to clear. Abby noticed that Sebastian was one of the first out of the door. Dr Patil followed shortly afterwards.

Lara was just about to enquire about Richard and Penny when Sarah appeared by her side. ‘Have you seen Kate?’ she asked.

‘Call for an angel and you will hear the flutter of their wings,’ Kate said in a broad Irish brogue appearing beside them. She looked over her shoulder at the retreating crowd and leant towards them. ‘Oh, I meant to say. I did mention Dr Death to Rod. He says there had been a few questions about ten years ago but nothing could be proved. There was something about misplaced notes, but he couldn’t remember the rest. He said there certainly wasn’t anything to justify a full investigation.’ Kate shrugged.

Lara grabbed two bottles of wine from the bar. ‘I’ll go and top up glasses and see if I can find him. I’m not quite sure what I’m going to say…’

‘You’ll think of something,’ the pristine parlour maid assured her.

It didn’t take her long to spot the doctor, who was standing on the sweeping staircase watching the crowd gathered in the foyer. A small group of dancers was enacting a 1950s jive there. Ron the landlord from the Wentworth Arms was a prominent figure in the group and Lara was startled to see what a swift and agile dancer he was.

‘Ron is really good,’ Lara exclaimed, as she reached the doctor’s side.

‘Hidden talents,’ said Dr Patil smiling.

Then remembering her role as a waitress, she held out the bottle to top up Dr Patil’s empty glass. ‘Or maybe you don’t drink?’ she said, wondering about his religion, and not wanting to be insensitive. ‘Can I get you something else?’

Dr Patil smiled. ‘No, I’m a Buddhist who likes a drink. There are some among us that say alcohol is harmful to mindfulness, but I’m not one of them.’ He held out his glass.

Lara asked, ‘Do Buddhists put flowers on graves? I know the custom varies with different religions.’

Dr Patil looked at her curiously. ‘Is there a reason you ask this, Lara? I may call you, Lara?’ he added.

Lara nodded. She decided she was too tired to beat about the bush. ‘Someone has been putting flowers on Lady Porter’s grave and I was just interested who it might be.’

‘And why is that?’ Dr Patil asked.

‘Because there was a note apologising for something and I was intrigued,’ Lara explained.

She was aware of the figure stiffening beside her.

‘And this note was with some flowers you say?’

‘Yes.’

‘And you thought I had a reason to say I was sorry to my friend?’ Dr Patil sounded strained and Lara sensed she had stepped over an invisible line. There was also a suppressed anger emanating from the figure beside her.

‘No,’ she said quickly, ‘I didn’t think it was from you. Someone mentioned that your name is Vishnu…’ Dr Patil nodded, ‘…but I was curious. It was just signed “M”. You don’t know who that could be?’

Dr Patil was silent for a while watching the dancers below. He sipped his wine. Eventually he turned to her. ‘I’m a drinking Buddhist, but I’m also a Buddhist who doesn’t like to pick living things. An inconsistency I know.’ He shook his head. ‘I don’t know who the “M” is who puts flowers on our friend’s grave. I would certainly not pick a bloom or buy a cut flower. However, if you ever find a white magnolia flower that has fallen from a tree resting there then, Lara, you may assume it is from me.’ He gave her a sad smile. As he turned to leave Lara wondered how on earth she was ever going to broach the subject of the secret room and blackmail with this man.

He was a couple of steps below her on the stairs when he turned around. ‘The thing you will find with names, is that they may not always tell you what you want to know.’

Lara suddenly thought of Elizabeth Porter who Mrs M called ‘Lily’ (or had it been Lizzie?).

‘As you’ve been informed, my name is Vishnu. But my middle name is Mohandas. My friends call me Mo. I would be honoured if you would do so too.’

Lara was left staring after him. She felt the same mix of emotions she had when Abigail Rossmore (deceased) had asked her to call her Abby. She earnestly hoped that this ‘M’ was not a murderer. But for some reason she no longer had any problem imagining him shouting and swearing at his son, the younger Dr Patil.

Chapter 24