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25
Shelton Ford, a small inland village bisected by a busy main road, lacked the beauty of Heaven’s Cove, but many of its tiny stone cottages had charm.
Sadly, any trace of charm was lacking in Carro Lodge sheltered housing complex. A modern, four-storey building, it was flanked on both sides by ordinary semi-detached houses and set back a little from the busy road. A scrubby lawn and two circular flower beds fronted the complex which had a shiny black door.
Lettie looked for Kenvale on the list of doorbells, rang the right one and waited. What would Claude think of her being here? She’d kept quiet about finding Esther so far, just in case this didn’t go well.
‘Yes?’ said a robotic voice through the intercom. ‘Can I help you?’
‘Is that Mrs Kenvale? My name’s Lettie Starcross. I received a message that you were happy to see me.’
‘Oh, yes. Hold on a minute. First floor.’
The intercom crackled as it was clicked off, and there followed a loud buzzing sound. The front door swung open and Lettie stepped into an anodyne entrance hall. A wilting pot plant stood in the corner of the blue-carpeted space, next to a lift. The whole area looked unloved. Doors, presumably to flats, led off from the hallway, and there was one with a laminated card saying Office pinned to it.
Lettie took the stairs to the first floor. The place smelled of over-cooked cabbage overlaid with furniture polish.
Waiting for her in the open doorway to her flat was a slight woman with white hair pulled into a bun. She ran her fingers along the string of pearls at her neck. She was immaculately dressed, in a pink and grey tea dress, with a cream cardigan around her shoulders. There were pearls in her ears too, and it crossed Lettie’s mind that Mrs Kenvale had dressed up in her honour.
‘Hello. I’m Lettie Starcross.’
‘I’m Esther Kenvale and I believe you wanted to see me.’ She paused slightly, before turning slowly. ‘Follow me.’
She made her way into her flat, using a Zimmer frame to support her.
‘Dodgy hip,’ she said over her shoulder, before showing Lettie into a small, sunny lounge. A cookery programme was blaring from the television. Esther reached into a pouch attached to the Zimmer and used the remote control to turn the TV volume down.
A glazed door leading to a tiny balcony was flung open and Lettie glimpsed a small communal garden, with gravel paths and large pots of plants. Wooden seats were dotted around, one of which was occupied by an elderly man who seemed to be asleep.
‘That’s Gordon,’ said Esther, following Lettie’s line of sight. ‘He falls asleep at the drop of a hat. It can be quite alarming if you think he’s died, but I daresay he’ll outlive us all. Take a seat and you can explain properly why you’re here. I was told it was something to do with… with Claude.’ She hesitated. ‘He’s not dead, is he?’
‘No, absolutely not,’ Lettie assured her, glad that Esther was keen to get right to the heart of the matter straight away. It was refreshing after Florence’s initial reticence to talk to her. ‘Claude is very much alive.’
‘I see.’ Esther stood for a moment, supported by the frame. Then she smiled. ‘Where are my manners? Can I get you a cup of tea? I have biscuits.’
‘That would be lovely, thank you.’
‘Did you drive from Heaven’s Cove?’
‘I did.’
‘Just as well. The buses aren’t terribly regular. Please do sit while I get your tea.’
‘Would you like a hand?’
‘I can manage, thank you.’
After Esther had shuffled into the kitchen, Lettie looked around the room. It was cosy but cluttered, with far too much furniture for the available space. The walls, covered in a floral paper, were festooned with paintings of the sea, and every available surface was covered with either a photograph or an ornament. A large gilt cross had pride of place on the mantelpiece.
A framed photograph on the coffee table next to her showed a middle-aged couple with a young boy. The woman was obviously Esther – a slightly older version than the woman in Claude’s picture. Beside it was a more modern photo of a different, middle-aged couple, with two young adults standing behind them.
A rolling sound came from the hall and Esther reappeared pushing a trolley with a teapot, two cups and a plate of chocolate digestives on top of it.
‘Would you mind serving the tea?’
Esther settled herself into her chair and waited while Lettie poured out the tea, gave her a cup and took one for herself.
‘Now what is this all about?’ She carefully placed her cup and saucer on the small table by her side.
