Page 26

Chapter 26

July 1911

‘Ann thinks that Isobel is a thief.’

Seven words.

In the time it took to say them Ann watched the faces in the drawing room change, from smiling to cautious, grave, concerned, even angry.

She looked at the floor.

Now that the words had been said by someone else it was impossible to take them back and hide them inside her.

She hated these words, hated that she was the person who had raised the issue.

‘I didn’t say that.’

‘You did,’ said Finlay.

‘I said that I thought she might be stealing things.’

John took charge.

‘I want you both to sit down, and I want Ann to tell us precisely why she thinks this is the case.’

‘I said might,’ Ann protested.

‘I didn’t say she is , I said she might be.

It’s not the same.’

‘Regardless, we need to know why you would think such a thing.’

Ann looked at Finlay, because he already knew and that made it easier.

‘It was the day when I wasn’t feeling well.

I came home early and none of you were in.

I found Isobel upstairs in my bedroom.

She had taken all the necklaces and things out of my jewellery box and laid them out on the bed, and she was looking at everything very carefully.

’

‘Your mother’s jewellery box?

’

Ann nodded. Her bottom lip quivered.

‘And is anything missing from it?’

Ann shrugged.

‘I don’t know.’

‘How is it possible for you not to know?’ His frustration at the whole situation spilled out.

‘Isn’t it obvious?’

She shook her head.

‘I never look inside that box. I don’t try the necklaces on or play with them, I don’t care about them at all.

You could give them all away and I wouldn’t care.

’

‘Ann!’ Finlay stared at her.

‘You’ve forgotten what she was like.

How mean she was. I don’t want anything of hers anywhere near me.

’

John frowned. ‘I don’t understand.

’

Ursula’s certainty cut through the room.

‘I do. Isobel told me.’

‘And you believe her? If she’s stealing from us, how can we trust anything she says?

’

Ursula stood up.

‘Nothing is known to be missing.’

Ann shook her head.

‘There is one thing. The necklace that Grandma gave me is gone.’

‘If you will excuse me for a moment.’ Ursula left them all sitting in silence and they heard her footsteps going up the stairs and then coming back down.

She held out the brass-coloured lozenge tin.

‘You mean this?’

Ann reached for it.

‘Yes! This one. It was in with my handkerchiefs and when I looked for it after I saw Isobel in my room, it wasn’t there.

’

‘I took it,’ said Ursula.

‘I noticed that the clasp was damaged, and some of the steel beads were rusting. I’ve had it polished for you.

It was meant to be a surprise.

’

Ann cupped the little tin in her hands.

‘Thank you so much.’

John put his hands on the table.

‘That’s all fine and well but it doesn’t explain why Isobel was going through Ann’s things.

’ He paused. ‘Has anyone else noticed anything odd?’

‘She has been more meticulous with the cleaning recently,’ said Ursula carefully.

‘Going into every corner, clearing out drawers, spring cleaning wardrobes and cupboards even though it isn’t spring any more.

It’s as though she is searching for something.

But I’m very uncomfortable talking about her like this when she isn’t here.

’

As though she had been summoned, Isobel walked up the front path, and they watched as she crossed in front of the bay window on her way to the side gate and the back garden.

It was John who fetched her from the kitchen and brought her through to the drawing room.