Page 61 of Return Ticket

Gabriella took the wrapped loaf out of its basket and crossed the garden to the shed.

She could hear Teddy Roe and Jerry chatting away through the partially open door, and called out a greeting.

“Gabriella?” Teddy Roe poked his head out.

“I baked you some bread to say thank you, Mr. Roe. For you and Jerry.” She held it out to him and he took it, lifting it to his nose to give a deep sniff.

“Freshly baked?”

“Just came out the oven an hour ago,” she confirmed. “And Mrs. Everett has thrown in some homemade jam.”

“Lovely! We can have bread, butter and jam for our tea.” He nudged the door open and put the bread on the table. “What do you say, Jerry?”

“I say you’re a useful person to know, Miss Farnsworth. That copper was right pleased with us helping you this morning. Always good to have a marker to call in with a copper.” He smiled a gap-toothed smile.

Not really knowing what to say to that, she simply nodded. “Hope you enjoy it, and thank you again.”

“You find out who he is?” Teddy Roe asked her as she backed out.

She shook her head.

“Don’t you worry. He’ll be found out. That copper will make sure of it.” Teddy Roe gave a sage incline of his head, and then lifted up a bread knife and waved it. “Thank you again.”

She left them to their feast, and she could hear their crows of delight all the way to the back door.

When she sat down with Ruby, it was to espresso from a stove top pot.

“You know the way to a girl’s heart,” she said, and took a happy sip.

Ruby raised her cup and clicked it against Gabriella’s. “Will you show me where you were hurt?”

For the second time that day, Gabriella rolled up her sleeve. The bruises were darker now, a purple blue that looked ugly against her skin.

“I have frozen peas.” Ruby got up and fetched a bag, and draped it over Gabriella’s forearm. “Bastard.” She was glaring at the marks.

“He wanted information out of me, and he didn’t like me refusing to give it to him.” Gabriella gave a one-shouldered shrug so as not to dislodge the peas. “I think he’s working for the wife of someone I fined a while back. Trying to find out which house he was in when I fined him.”

Ruby’s face was a picture of astonishment. “Really?”

“Yes. It sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? I think the wife wants to track down his mistress.” She couldn’t think what else it could be. “And I actually can’t help her, because I can’t remember which house he did come out of.”

“But you could narrow it down to a section of the street?” Ruby asked.

“Yes.” She gave a slow nod. “That’s probably all she’d need.” She finished her espresso. “Not that I’d help her now. Not after this.” She looked down at her arm.

“No. Your detective sergeant was very keen to check up on you.” Ruby leaned back in her chair. “He’ll be disappointed to miss you. I’ll wager he’ll be around tonight.”

She hoped so, but she knew he was neck-deep in his case and there was also the trouble with Whetford. “Maybe.”

Ruby tapped the table with impatient fingers. “I’ve been dying for you to come round and tell me what’s happening with your father.”

She had meant to come sooner. She knew Ruby would be curious. “Sorry, since we spoke I’ve been able to get my friend Ben to take the case. His senior has offered to take it pro bono, and they’re going to send a letter to my father this week.”

Ruby made a face. “That’s going to stir up a hornet’s nest. But I’m glad you’re using lawyers. They should shield you from the worst of his reaction.”

She shrugged. “I’m expecting it to be bad. He thinks he’s gotten away with hiding his marriage to my mother, and now his reputation will be destroyed, along with the life of the woman who thinks she is his wife, and his children.”

“All of them might blame you,” Ruby warned. “People aren’t always logical or fair in these circumstances.”

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