“Jane?” said Lizzie. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard her argue with anyone, or have a bad name for anyone.”
“Or them for her, for that matter,” added Atkinson.
“How well do you know her husband, Robbie?” asked Reilly.
“We don’t,” replied Atkinson. “He came to the yard a couple of times to pick her up but he never spoke to anyone. I got the impression he didn’t like the place.”
“Not everyone does,” said Lizzie. “It’s a bit raw. There’s no in between. You like, or you don’t.”
“Aye, horses are not a job. They’re a dedication.”
“Take a lot of looking after,” added Lizzie. “But you were asking about her husband. The impression I got is they were a bit like chalk and cheese, but then they do say opposites attract.”
“What gave you that impression?” Reilly asked.
“Most of the staff here said so. They were all her friends. They had nights out together. Women talk, just like men.”
“Any examples?” Reilly asked.
“Nothing I can think of.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t speculate, Lizzie, love,” said Atkinson. “After all, we didn’t know him, and we’re only going on what other people said.”
Lizzie nodded. “I know, and I’m not going to tittle-tattle. You should speak to the staff, they’ll know more than us.”
Gardener figured the meeting was at an end. He didn’t think the Atkinsons could tell him much more so he collected the names and addresses of Jane’s clients from Lizzie.
On his way out, Gardener turned. “I believe she rented one of your houses in Sowerby for some time.”
“Aye, she did,” said Atkinson. “Big rambling old farmhouse. It’s not actually in Sowerby. If you leave this place and take the A168 it’s a couple of miles before you get into the town itself. Can’t miss it... big white farmhouse... part of a windmill. It was my grandmother’s. She left it to us.”
“Sounds like a big house for one person,” said Reilly.
“She pretty much had it for nowt, part of the job. Never thought anybody would rent out a house that big but we couldn’t just let it go to rack and ruin.”
“That house’ll not go to rack and ruin,” said Lizzie. “Too well built.”
They were about to leave when Atkinson piped up again. “Mind you, had no trouble re-letting it when Jane had left, did we, Lizzie, love?”
“Managed to find a family, did you?” Reilly asked.
“No. Funny thing that – another one on his own. Ronald Critchley. Rang us pretty much after Jane moved out.”
“Yes,” said Lizzie. “Only two or three days later.”
“He said he were up here on business, looking to move into the area from down south.”
“He gave us references,” added Lizzie.
“Everything checked out.”
“Good tenant?” asked Gardener.
“Very good,” said Lizzie. “Pays on time every month, never misses. Keeps the place clean and tidy by all accounts.”
“When he’s there,” said Atkinson. “Which isn’t often.”
“Probably why we’ve never met him,” said Lizzie.