Page 143 of The Stranger in Room Six

He seems, I have to admit, a decent man. I can only hope he sticks to his word.

As I put down the phone, there’s the sudden sound of glass shattering.

People are running down the corridor screaming.

‘Someone threw a brick through the dining-room window,’ I hear one of the nurses yell. ‘It was a kid from the town – I recognized him. Call the police!’

Mabel isn’t the only one who’s not safe. None of us are.

103

Mabel

The police arrive to take statements about the broken window. Then Mabel is interviewed by more official people whose questions make her head spin.

Afterwards, Belinda brings her lunch in her room to avoid the other residents’ staring eyes. ‘I’m not hungry,’ Mabel says.

There’s a knock at the door. It’s Harry.

‘I’m so glad you’re here,’ says Mabel tearfully. ‘I’m so confused.’

Belinda gets up. ‘I’ll give you some privacy.’

‘No,’ says Mabel. ‘Please sit with me and hold my hand. It makes me feel comforted.’

‘Yes,’ says Harry. ‘It might be helpful if you stay. Now let me try and explain all this as simply as possible.’

He takes a deep breath.

‘There’s a prominent business tycoon who’s been pressurizing the government to pass new tax legislation that will help large companies like his but make it much harder for small businesses. According to our sources, he saw an advertisement for Sunnyside while looking for a home for his own mother. He spotted that it had originally been in Lady Sinclair’s family before passing to the Marchmonts. The name “Sinclair” rang a bell because his grandfather had been a friend of Clarissa and Jonty.’

‘What was his name?’ asks Mabel.

‘Bedmont.’

‘I remember him.’

‘His name was also on the list in your doll,’ says Harry grimly.

‘Bedmont then discovered that you, Clarissa’s niece – or so he thought – are not only living here but also own what was known as the Old Rectory. He knew from his parents and grandparents that there was a list of all the prominent names involved in supporting Hitler but that this list went missing years ago. He suspected that as the sole family survivor, you might have it.’

‘As indeed I did, without realizing,’ chips in Mabel.

‘Exactly. He feared that if the names were released, he’d lose his business. It’s struggling badly at the moment and is dependent for its survival on securing a large contract in the Middle East against fierce competition. Any stain, even if it’s from the past, could tip the balance away from him. At the same time, he wants me out, in the hope that Parliament will support my rival’s bill to give tax relief to companies like his: something I’ve been fighting against.’

‘Howcanhe get you out?’ asks Belinda.

‘Through Mabel, I’m afraid. His people have been spreading rumours in the press to say that I was aware of your “support” for Hitler during the war. We are also concerned for your safety.’ He shivered. ‘You could have died if Garth hadn’t saved you.’

He puts an arm gently around Mabel’s frail shoulders. I can see how much she means to him.

‘Luckily,’ he continues, ‘you mentioned Alexa, which came out as a command word. As a result, part of the following conversation was recorded in the history section of your Alexa app. So we have legal evidence. We also recorded what Amanda Smith said on her way to hospital. Unfortunately, she confirmed my worst fears about her source …’

Mabel gasps. ‘Who was it?’

Harry looks straight at her companion. ‘Belinda Wall.’

The air goes very still for a second. Belinda looks at the ground as Mabel stares at her in disbelief.