Page 24 of Welcome to Pennycress Inn

‘I will.’ Laura turned as the mayoress began to speak. And she would give people a chance. Or another chance. She just hoped it wouldn’t take long for them to begin to accept her. She wasn’t sure how long she could keep up the pretence of being happy to the people she met, how long she could pretend everything was fine to her family when they asked.

13

‘And now to the serious matter of Gertrude.’ The mayoress, Miss Cooke, shuffled her papers as a murmuring swept through her audience.

‘Gertrude?’ Laura looked at Jackson quizzically. She’d not heard that name since arriving here.

‘The sheep.’ Jackson whispered. ‘That’s what?—’

‘Florence!’ a young woman called from behind them.

‘Davina!’ ‘Freda!’ ‘Roselyn!’ A group of teenagers to the left called out.

‘Yes, yes.’ Miss Cooke quietened the crowd.

Huh. How many fugitive sheep were there in the village? Had it been a mass escape from the farm? She’d just assumed Claudette had been a Lone Ranger, a lucky one.

‘Officer Huntley will update us on this issue.’ Miss Cooke’s voice grew louder, bringing the attention back to herself before she stepped aside and a man in a police uniform took her place at the lectern.

Clearing his throat, Officer Huntley nodded to Miss Cooke before looking out across his audience. ‘The operation to remove the sheep is ongoing, and we are dealing with it as a matter ofurgency. I am aware that chaos has been caused on the village green and the snowdrops planted by our students at the primary school have taken a bashing?—’

‘What about the allotments? My fences are down. Again. Who’s going to repair those? I’ve already done it once.’ A man with a long beard and flat cap stood up, waving his hand to grab the police officer’s attention.

‘That’s right, we’ve had numerous reports detailing the destruction at the allotments,’ Officer Huntley continued.

Laura tugged on Jackson’s coat to get his attention. ‘Destruction? Chaos? Vandalisation? We are still talking about the sheep, aren’t we? Or have I missed something and they’re now discussing an unruly gang of criminals?’

Covering his mouth with his hand, Jackson muffled a chuckle. ‘You know these farm animals, a dangerous bunch they are.’

‘What with bandanas covering their faces in fear of recognition and carrying baseball bats for protection?’ Laura grinned.

‘Exactly. Who wants to come across one of them in a dark alleyway?’ Jackson’s eyes creased with suppressed laughter. ‘Although you could have fallen from the roof, remember? So the point is proven that the devastation caused by an escapee can have dire consequences.’

‘Oh yes, if I had, I guess this would now be a murder investigation.’

‘I should think so.’

An elderly woman in the front row stood up. ‘I just hope this matter is resolved before the spring. I spent hours planting bulbs. I would hate for anything to happen to my daffs when they begin to grow.’

‘The blighter was in my garden again last night, came right through the hedge she did, leaving a gaping hole and muddy pawprints all over my patio.’ A man shook his fist, his face growing a deep shade of red.

‘Paw prints? A sheep with paws? Like with fur and pads and everything?’ Jackson spoke behind his hand.

‘Don’t. I think I’m going to burst out laughing in a moment.’ Laura swallowed, her shoulders beginning to shake as she tried to keep a straight face.

Jackson shrugged. ‘You and me both.’

‘As I’ve said before, please continue to report sightings and I’m hopeful that one day in the near future we’ll be able to locate the sheep’s refuge.’ Officer Huntley stepped back from the lectern; a flush of relief evident on his face.

‘Thank you, Officer Huntley. Very reassuring to know that you’re still on the case.’ Miss Cooke took her position again. ‘And I’ll reiterate what Officer Huntley has said, any and all sightings must be reported and hopefully we can get this case closed and Gertrude off our streets.’

Leaning across to Jackson again, Laura lowered her voice. ‘What about Claudette? Or the other sheep? Why aren’t they going after them too?’

Jackson looked back at her and grinned. ‘They’re?—’

‘Lovely to see you, Jackson. I didn’t realise you were sitting behind me.’ Turning in her chair, Ms Taunton reached through the gap between her chair and the person next to her and laid her hand on Jackson’s knee.

Clearing his throat, Jackson nodded at her as she turned back around.

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