6 Consternation!
I turned Robin's geography page over to the South Pacific, always wanted to go there, dusky maidens and grass skirts and long volcanic grey sand. Then I turned to the front-piece, indeed it was Robin Greenfinch from the Castle written in his scrawly hand, wonder what his future bride would make of that, they are getting married end of the month, hope Dulcie has organised everything, maybe she might leave it to the brilliant Maise, organiser par excellent. Hang on why Greenfinch that was not a proper name, like my own Heir but I had some decent ones to follow most of which were based on previous occupants of the Castle. It was Dulcie's idea to call him that! I hear the gentle clip clop of one of the shires pulling the cart home, so I turned back the page to those idealist islands that sprout up the lower Pacific. I was very comfortable in my lounge chair overlooking the bay window, well one of the bays, and I could see all the children discussing between themselves as they dropped off the cart. The elder ones helping the younger ones down. Then they all came to the steps and sat down. The hullabaloo had now risen to a crescendo and no adult seemed to notice. I had an idea you could always tell by looking at the young ones, by their expressions. First I found Tommy standing close to Jess his sister and with a face full of shock, then I turned over to little Fig whose face was a picture of abject misery then he started to cry and could just make out tears dripping down his cheeks. He was standing next to Robroy who comforted him with the safety of his arm around his shoulder. But the hubbub continued rising and falling as one eider child spoke and the smaller listened. I leant across and knocked on the window pane and Nick sitting perfectly still on the cart seat waved his hand and continued listening. And then the high pitched voice of my Grandson raised itself above all others.
“We will have to tell Grand-papa,” as he strode up the stairs.
Nick pointed to me and then to his obviously cross son and moved the cart away.
That's right Nick leave it to your father to sort out and I put down the book and my dreams as Robroy came rushing in. He ran over to his mother, gave a swift kiss on her brow then ran back and sat himself in the chair facing me.
'What?' said I.
“We have to tell you of something awful Grand-papa.”
'What awful, someone died, a dinosaur ate a fellow school mate?'
“Please listen.” But before he could continue the rest of the tribe clamoured around my armchair, fortunately they sat on the carpet and not on me!
'Continue Robroy.' By this time Edith had come to sit beside her son, all ears no doubt.
“You know Mrs Merryweather down Hidcot lane, she is in trouble.”
“Been really crying.” This from Jess.
“A lot.” Fig adding his piece between sobs. I thought Nick is not here so cannot be that awful.
'Well will someone tell me why little Fig is so upset and Tommy looks not much better, speak or forever hold your piece as some poet once said.'
“Grand-papa you are in charge of the village and.” I was interrupted by Robroy and his vision of grandeur.
'No I'm not ,they all have themselves to look after, Some years ago they all voted to stand on their own two feet, and good luck to them.'
“But Mrs Merryweather.”
'A fine sounding name to be sure, and I believe she did some ironing for Maise's mother years ago, a pleasant little lady and.'
“She's been stolen from.” Brigan standing up agitated.
'I beg your pardon Brigan, just sit down and rephrase your words please.'
“What Brigan is trying to say is someone has stolen her parcel that Kent the postman delivered yesterday. I think you have a duty to investigate Grand-papa you being top dog so to speak.” Robroy and I could not resist smiling.
'Wuff Wuff.' I said but from the faces before it registered a total blank.
'Right tell what was in the parcel which you all so distressed by the news. By the way we do have a policeman in the village who no doubt would consider his duty to investigate, it being his job so to speak.'
“Sergeant's on holiday.” Robroy. “We know because his daughter is not at school.”
'What was in the parcel that was stolen?'
“Electric blanket.”
'Why on earth would anyone steal a parcel with an electric blanket inside?'
There followed a heap of suggestions from all and sundry. Even little Fig mentioned the dear sweetshop lady Miss Scrims.
'Why on earth would Miss Scrims steal an electric blanket Fig?'
“Keep her lollies warm at night Uncle.”
'Um.' said I imagining Miss Scrims on her small ladder folding over the blanket and switching it on just to keep the Duke's favourite humbugs warm.
'Right' said I 'this needs further investigation and Uncle Use, Eustace will be asked to carry that out. He used to know all the scoundrels in the locality so he can do the sleuthing. In the meantime there is a spare electric blanket on one of the beds in the East wing. You Robroy will collect it and ask my Valet Tom to drive you down to Mrs Merryweather's cottage. You will immediately return, no nosing about mind you, now the rest of you away to your chores and Edith I think it might be well if you could accompany you son and keep a leash on him. I want you to ask Miss Merryweather if she needs anything else would you please. Oh and take Uncle Eustace with you he's the one we need to investigate. Thank you all now Scram!'
I called Tom in and explained the situation, although Tom was officially my Valet he was in fact the general factotum more than looking after me and he and Maise did all the shopping and errands. So I asked him to get the car and explained what it was all about. He nodded briefly and left. I had a sudden thought, something triggered in my mind and I snapped my fingers as I remembered. Why Tom should be the detective and Eustace just the driver, but I left it as it was.
Edith and Robroy returned in someone else's car and Edith explained both Tom and Eustace were on the case, leaving me in a quandary, I hope I had not left them in danger.
It had just turned eleven at night, I could see clearly the frost stealing over the grounds as I waited for Tom and Nick's return. I was worried both by their lateness and the fact that Fig had shed those long tears and sobs, and I wondered why over an electric blanket. Dulcie came down to join me peering out the bay window. I asked her why Fig had cried.
“Well you know how fond of animals little Fig is.”
'But it was a blanket that was stolen.'
“Alas no Heir Mrs Merryweather has a special pet, all the children notice it whenever she walks it close to the school, I believe its an Alaskan Klee Kai, looks like a miniature Husky.”
'Oh, no wonder,' I said as we heard the car rumbling up the long drive to park in front of our window. Both occupants came out and we waved for them to come inside, I reached across for the Sherry bottle and Dulcie went to find some glasses.
'Well Nick what did you find, both of you sit over on the couch and have a sherry to warm you both up.'
“Well we've just up from the pub Father, but thank you both for staying up.”
'Tom?' shook his head. 'Well come on you two, out with it.'
“You both know a dog went missing.” We nodded.
“And a packet of money?”
We shook our heads.
“Well Father its easy to hide a fistful of bank notes but here in the country a fabulous looking dog with a sharp bark is more difficult. To suggested the pub as being the most likely for gossip and clues. We found the culprit with the blanket, and old tramp who said he found an envelope on top in the house box, he left it there apparently was just after whatever was soft in the big parcel. “
'And.'
“I decided to give the chap the blanket as a gift from you as Mrs Merryweather already had the one Edith bought down.”
'Thanks that means I have to buy another for the East Wing.'
“Anyhow the chap hung around a bit and the Merryweather lady came back with her dog, went inside and took same dog outside to do you know what.”
'No I don't.'
“Listen Father please, young Teddy Shorn came past opened the box took the envelope and caught the dog and fled. Said tramp followed him at a distance to that council house near Lofty wood, you must know the one.”
'Council House no, Lofty wood yes, great place for spiders and bugs.'
“Well Tom and I picked a couple of our estate workers and crammed in the car over to said council house and paid them a visit. We rescued the dog and forced young Teddy to give up the packet and returned both to its owner. Job done we plied our fellow rescuers with ale to celebrate.”
'So what is happening to the thief, did he get a belting?'
“No we asked his Dad to bring him up to the Castle for your judgement, you know the old fashioned way we used to do things in the past!”
“Illegal these days dear Nick, but thank you both for all what you have done a happy Mrs Merryweather, and a contented tramp, a good night out!'