As arranged, Robert used Sunday afternoon to introduce
Gloria to the ins and out of meat selling. The morning had been taken up by jet
lag. Gloria’s life was all mixed up, she said. Mine too, Cleo had replied.
"Endings are elusive, middles are nowhere to be found, but worst of all is to begin, begin, begin." (Donald Barthelme).......“The road to hell is paved with works-in-progress.”(Philip Roth).......“The road to hell is paved with adverbs.” (Stephen King).......“Writers live twice.” (Natalie Goldberg)....."The business of life is the acquisition of memories" (Downton Abbey)
Thursday, 11 December 2014
Episode 9 - Meetings
Hatherton
had been brought to Middlethumpton. He did not know why, but was very angry
about it. Gary drove to HQ to explain about the action of bringing him to
Middlethumpton and then to ask about the nature of Burton and Hatherton’s contact.
Episode 8 - Out and About
"What
are you going to do with your car, Cleo?" Robert fussed, as he always did
when he couldn't think what to do for the best. "Do you want me to take
you to the airport?"
"No
thanks," said Cleo.
“How are you
going to get there?” said Robert.
“I think
Gary is organizing a driver.”
Episode 7 - Rivals
Robert was relieved that Cleo had not gone off S.A. to
investigate on Gary's behalf. It was mid-afternoon by the time the cottage and
Cleo's office had been declared safe, so Robert got home first and was irritated
to see a police car across the road.
Episode 6 - Spot on
Burton had
been dead four days and no progress seemed to have been made in that
investigation.
Episode 5 - Wellness for beginners
Cleo managed
to get home well before Robert had to get up. She was glowing and happy after
the passionate night she had spent with Gary.. She didn’t much care if Robert
found out. She would marry him on condition he did not ask questions. At that
moment it seemed the best solution.
***
Episode 4 - Magda
Dorothy phoned
Cleo to tell her that she thought Gary was infatuated with her and Cleo should
think carefully before getting up to any hanky-panky with him.
Episode 3 - Cop at large
Cleo rang
Gary and reported on their expedition as soon as they reached Dorothy’s
cottage. No, they had not told the Kellys that Burton was dead. Was the forensic
team going to the farm? Kelly tended to greet people with a loaded rifle. Magda
Kelly was a termagant sporting silicone breasts, makeup to the ears and high
heels when she wasn’t in mufti, which consisted of rags and tatters, uncombed
hair and an unmade face. Kelly was presumably attracted to other qualities.
***
Episode 2 - Burton's barn
The two
sleuths were soon driving to Kelly’s farm via Dorothy’s cottage, where they
could pick up the army pistol. Cleo's car was leased, ostensibly because she
was inspecting boarding schools for a client. She had not told Robert that Gary
had ordered a car for her as he would have been angry and remorseful. The car
had not been ordered from Silver’s. The deal was that she would pay for the
car. Gary had other ideas.
***
Episode 1 - Business as usual
It is
astonishing how long rumours and untruths can survive in a small community.
Sometimes Cleo still found herself up against them, but it did not prevent Cleo
Hartley from opening her Agency to deal with matters outside the police norm.
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