“I’m in love,” Kate said as she looked through the windshield.
“It’s too much to hope that’s meant for me,” Jack said. “If it’s for that thatched roof, it’s too much maintenance.”
“Spoilsport.”
She got her umbrella and the bag of scones. “Are we sure we want to do this? It was all a long time ago.”
“Mr. Howland’s death wasn’t,” Jack said as he opened the car door. “And yes, I want all the information I can get.”
Jack took her umbrella, held it over both of them, and they hurried to the front door. They clanked the brass knocker but there was no answer.
They were about to leave when the door opened. An older woman stood there, her eyes dark and bright, her face wrinkled. She was too old to be the woman they were seeking.
“We’re looking for Thelma Thompson, who used to work at Oxley Manor,” Jack said loudly over the rain.
The woman smiled. “That’s my daughter. She’s just out to do the shopping.” She pushed the door open wider. “Come in out of the rain.”
Kate went into the house, and Jack followed her.
The ceilings were low, with giant, blackened beams across them.
“Come into the kitchen and I’ll make a pot of tea. Or are you one of those Americans who only drink coffee?”
“We love tea and I brought scones.” Kate held up the bag.
The kitchen was adorably quaint, and Kate thought Sara would love to photograph it. A narrow Aga in bright yellow was at one end. The warmth emanating from it filled the room. A side wall held a huge oak cabinet that was packed with dishes with many different patterns. “This is lovely,” Kate said as Jack sat down at the table. “Truly beautiful.”
“Just an old cottage,” she said, but they could tell she was pleased.
“Can I help?” Kate asked.
“You can put the scones on a plate.”
Kate enjoyed looking at the patterns on the dishes and chose one with a peacock on it, placed the scones on it, then sat down beside Jack.
“Your daughter used to work at Oxley Manor,” he said. “We want to talk to her about that. When will she be back?”
“It will be quite a while,” the woman said. “I’m Edna Thompson.”
“Oh, sorry,” Kate said and introduced them.
“Medlar?” Mrs. Thompson said. “That’s the name...” She shook her head. “My memory’s not what it used to be. Something to do with Bella.”
“Yes,” Kate said. “They’re friends, and Sara Medlar is my aunt.”
“Bella,” Mrs. Thompson said. “That poor girl. She wasn’t treated well. Her ladyship hated her. Then Bertram... Well, that wasn’t fair at all.”
“Sounds like you know a lot about what went on at Oxley Manor,” Jack said.
“I should. I worked there for over forty years. Thelma was there for a while, but she wanted to work in an office. Don’t blame her. There were things that went on in that house... Many times, I wanted to leave.”
Jack and Kate were looking at her with wide eyes.
“My daughter says I talk too much. That’s why it takes her hours to go shopping. She says train stations are quieter than living with me.”
“We’d love to hear anything you can tell us about Bella Guilford and Oxley Manor.”
“Guilford? Is that what she calls herself now? It was Williams when I knew her. But Bella always was ambitious. She said she’d own Oxley Manor someday. Said she’d find someone gullible and stupid enough to give her the money and the house and land would be hers.”