Page 55 of The Stranger in Room Six

Belinda

My mouth is open in shock. ‘You lied for your aunt? Why?’

Mabel shakes her head. ‘I’ve often asked myself that. I think it’s because I wanted her approval, despite everything.’

‘Did they charge her?’

‘No. There wasn’t any evidence. Even when I heard that it was a spy that the police had shot dead, I persuaded myself that they’d got it wrong.

My aunt and Jonty wanted to make Britain great again.

They kept saying so. It was only later that I pieced everything together and realized they were on Hitler’s side. ’

Mabel grips my arm then. ‘Don’t tell anyone, will you? When I look back, I feel so guilty that I tried to help the enemy. I shouldn’t have told you, but you’re such a good listener, Belinda, and it’s been so long since I’ve had anyone to talk to. It just came out.’

I know I should pass on this information to Mouse but I’m torn.

I don’t want to cause Mabel any trouble.

She clearly doesn’t mean harm and never has.

If I can just find this list, maybe Mabel will be spared.

But the locket has given me an idea. Lockets can hold pictures or even a note, can’t they?

Suppose the list is hidden inside? Could Clarissa have deliberately passed on incriminating information to her niece, perhaps to save her own skin if it was found on her?

Heaven knows, I’ve searched everywhere else in this room for this list and I can’t think of anywhere else it might be.

‘Where’s your locket now?’ I ask. ‘Do you still have it?’

‘I put it somewhere safe but I can’t remember where,’ says Mabel.

‘Let’s have a look, shall we?’ I suggest. ‘It would be nice for you to have it again.’

So we search. We go through her drawers. Or rather I do, under her watchful eye. I even go on my hands and knees inside her wardrobe in case it’s fallen out of a pocket. I get a chair and climb to search the pelmet in case it’s hidden there. I look everywhere.

‘It’s very good of you, Belinda,’ she says after a bit. ‘But I’m sure it will turn up at some point.’

She doesn’t seem very bothered about the piece of jewellery, which surely has sentimental family value. Is it possible that she’s deliberately hidden it?

‘Come and sit with me, Belinda,’ she says. ‘I’d like to carry on telling you my story.’