Long Goodbyes Read Online Free PDF Page B

expression full of anxiety.  
    ‘Jenny? What is it?’
    I straightened up with difficulty, my hand upon my heaving breast. I pointed to the cottage door. ‘In there. On the table.’

    ‘It must have been on the turn,’ Jack offered. ‘I mean, before it was delivered.’
    ‘A dish full of maggots? On the turn? It is foul, rotten.’
    ‘Perhaps Orla-’
    I raised my hand in denial. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. Orla Benjamin would no more leave us a gift like this than spit in the Pope’s eye.’ I felt myself close to tears and blinked angrily lest I should lose control altogether.  
    ‘You’re upset. Let me get you a hot drink.’
    ‘I am not upset . I am just…’ The truth was that I was afraid, and did not wish to admit it.
    ‘Well, we can settle this quickly.’ And he made as if to fetch his coat from the hook on the wall.  
    ‘No! Don’t leave me.’
    Jack hesitated on the threshold. ‘You’re frightened. Forgive me. I only mean to briefly question the Benjamins. I am sure there is a perfectly rational explanation.’
    ‘Let me come too.’
    ‘As you wish.’
    So we went out together, into the warm drizzle. I felt an odd sensation as we took to the path, as if our hurried departure was being observed. I glanced back but the cottage windows were empty.
    Somewhere in a nearby field a horse whinnied and was quieted by the reassuring murmur of its groom’s low voice. I clasped Jack’s hand, wishing for some measure of the same from my distracted husband.  

    ‘Dreadfully upsetting, my dear. Of course you must stay and eat with us this evening.’ Mr Benjamin shared the suggestion with Orla who agreed with alacrity.  
    ‘But of course they must. Come through and make yourselves comfortable. What a terrible shock.’
    I saw again that almost conspiratorial look pass between them, the same expression I had noticed on the night Mr Benjamin had told us of the history of the grand house.
    ‘Well now, I’m sure it was just a misunderstanding,’ Orla said as she went out to busy herself in the pantry.
    ‘Quite,’ her husband concurred. ‘Or some stupid practical joke. One of the farm boys, probably.’
    ‘It did not seem so to me,’ I said. ‘It was elaborately presented. Where would a farm boy obtain a silver tureen?’
    Mr Benjamin huffed. ‘Might have stolen it. Who can say? In any case, you’re here now. Best forget about the whole episode. I’ll make some enquiries. We’ll get to the bottom of it, never fear.’
    ‘Please don’t go to any trouble,’ I said quickly. The last thing I wanted was to have it spread about that the new tenants were flighty and fearful types prone to panic and all kinds of fanciful notions - although of course I knew there to be a degree of understanding in the village regarding Jack’s condition.  
    ‘No trouble,’ Mr Benjamin said. ‘I’ll ask around - discreetly, of course. In any event I’m sure no harm was meant by it, whatever the motive.’
    ‘It’s a damned impertinence,’ Jack said. ‘If I catch the so-and-so responsible, I’ll-’
    ‘No, my dear,’ I said. ‘We don’t want any upset. Let’s just enjoy our evening. I’ll go and see if I can be of any help to Orla.’
    ‘Well, if you’re sure, Jenny.’ Mr Benjamin frowned. ‘But Orla can manage well enough. My advice would be just to relax and - dear me! Are you all right?’
    As Mr Benjamin had been speaking I felt a spasm of pain in my stomach, and I cried out at the unexpectedness of it. Jack rushed to my side. ‘What is it?’
    The pain subsided as quickly as it had begun. ‘Nothing,’ I told the two men. ‘I am quite well.’
    ‘You’re pale.’ Jack’s face was all anxiety. He hovered next to me, unsure what to do to help.
    ‘I’ll get you a glass of water.’ Mr Benjamin hurried from the room.
    As I sat facing the fireplace Jack was standing directly in front of me. Behind us was the large picture window which looked out onto the grounds. I saw him glance up,