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all was quiet and relaxed in the village hall.
Helpers were watching the clock. They would open the
doors on the dot of six thirty to the bunch of people waiting
outside. There had been some anxiety that most of the likely
customers would have been on the WI outing, and would
be too tired to come along. But there among others were Ivy
Beasley and Doris, Mrs. Pickering, and Gran and her friend,
the cook from the pub, all fresh as a daisy and prepared for
the fray.
Mrs. Smith from Waltonby, no relation of John, had been
drawn in as a committee member after the tragic death of her
son in a fall from a horse. She stared out of the window and
said, Blimey! Quite a few waiting, and there s a man in a
suit. Shall I open up? She went to the double doors and with
a dramatic gesture much appreciated by the crowd, she stood
aside and waved them in.
Alastair was embarrassed, felt out of place, but was deter-
mined. He made for the bookstall, and picked up book after
book, leafing through them with one eye on the door. He
pricked up his ears when he heard someone say, Isn t Lois
coming, Mrs. Weedon? Gran answered that she was, but
would be late as she had some paperwork to catch up on.
Alastair moved on to the bric- a-brac. Maybe he d take home
something cheap and colourful for his woman. She was easily
pleased.
His patience was rewarded after half an hour, when
Lois came in with apologies for being late. She joined Gran
at the household linen stall, and then caught sight of him.
Warning at One 237
She stared, and he came towards her. Good evening, Mrs.
Meade, he said. You probably don t remember me. I m Mrs.
Blairgowrie s son. We met at Braeside.
Oh, I do remember, Lois said. And now you re living
in Farnden. Have you settled in? Can I recommend the ser-
vices of New Brooms? We do a very good cleanup job after
people have moved house. Thoroughly freshened up from top
to bottom.
It had been an impulse to offer him the team s services.
It could be very useful having one of the girls in there, ears
and eyes open. It could also be very dangerous, and she was
almost relieved when he shook his head, saying he managed
quite well, thank you.
He in his turn had been taken aback by Lois s suggestion.
He had meant to say something to remind her that he was
now very much around the village and would be keeping an
eye on her. If possible, a coded threat had been his intention.
He was rescued by an unexpected intervention from Derek.
Lois! Can you come home, quick as you can! She turned
in alarm and in seconds followed him out of the hall and
disappeared.
Gran was looking anxious, and Alastair moved closer to
her. Not bad news, I hope, Mrs. Weedon, he said in a con-
cerned voice.
Who are you? asked Gran, knowing perfectly well who
he was.
Smith, John Smith. We met in your granddaughter s
shop. I ve moved into
Yes, yes, Gran said. I remember now. I have to go right
away. I m helping on teas. She went swiftly round into the
kitchen and began washing up cups and saucers with vigour.
Huh! she said to herself. He needn t think he can ignore me
238 Ann Purser
one day and be best friends the next, just when he wants to
know something. Nosy blighter!
Lois broke into a trot outside the village hall, and Derek
caught her by the arm. Hey, he s not going to run away.
Whoa! he said.
I m not a horse! Lois said breathlessly. She slowed down
to a walk, and smiled at Derek. Trust him not to let us
know he was coming, she added. And nobody there to greet
him!
I was, said Derek. Anyway, there he is, look. Coming to
meet us.
Lois once more broke into a run, and then she was hugging
her younger son, and saying over and over, Jamie, Jamie . . .
Later in the evening, Derek and Gran tactfully left Jamie
with his mother in the sitting room while they went off to
make coffee. So what s the latest on Douglas? Jamie asked.
Lois shrugged. Nothing much new. I ve got an idea or
two what s behind it all, but they re only guesses really. We re
all ferretin , as your father says, to see if anything comes up.
The only thing they ve got on Douglas is an anonymous let-
ter left at the police station incriminating him. Somebody
was supposed to have seen him do in old Clem Fitch. Watch-
ing from a bedroom window. Police enquiries have turned up
exactly nowt.
What about your friend Cowgill? Are you still in touch
with him?
Well, said Lois, so far he s been useless and untrust-
worthy. Like all cops. Relies on other people for his informa-
tion, and doesn t keep his promises.
Ah, I see, Jamie said with the ghost of a smile. Right,
Warning at One 239
so can I join the New Brooms investigating team? I ve got a
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