The Droitwich Deceivers Read Free

elapsed.
    ‘I knew it,’ said Ravenscroft lowering his paper and peering over the top of his spectacles. ‘I knew you were just waiting to talk to me.’
    ‘Well yes, but you were busy at the time.’
    ‘You have my undivided attention now, my dear,’ smiled Ravenscroft folding the newspaper and placing it on a side-table.
    ‘Well, I have been thinking, quite seriously, of late, that perhaps we should all move elsewhere,’ said Lucy leaning forwards to face her husband.
    ‘Move elsewhere? I thought you liked Ledbury. We are all quite comfortable here, are we not?’
    ‘Well yes, I suppose so, but that is the problem. Richard isnearly seven years of age, and little Arthur is now four months old and will soon be in need of his own room. I fear we are all running out of space.’
    ‘Running out of space?’ frowned Ravenscroft.
    ‘It’s all right for you of course, you are out most of the day, you don’t notice these things, but when Susan is looking after Arthur in one room, and I am in here giving one of my students a piano lesson, poor Richard just has nowhere to play.’
    ‘Nowhere to play?’ interrupted Ravenscroft picking up his newspaper once more.
    ‘Oh Samuel do listen – and stop repeating everything I say,’ replied a frustrated Lucy.
    ‘I’m sorry,’ said Ravenscroft trying to sound sympathetic. ‘I had not realized that things had become so difficult for you.’
    ‘This is quite a small cottage, Samuel. When I first came here there was just Richard and I. Susan only came during the day. Then you arrived. Then Arthur was born – and then Susan had to move in full time to look after him, and then she had to have her own room to sleep in.’
    ‘I see the problem. What do you suggest then, my dear?’ said Ravenscroft throwing another log on the fire.
    ‘Well perhaps we should look around for something a little larger, somewhere with an extra room, or two, and a garden would be quite nice, not a large garden, just a small lawn, where Richard and Arthur could play when the weather is fine.’
    ‘I see,’ nodded Ravenscroft.
    ‘I know your remuneration is not large, but now that we have a bit put by, I think we could afford something else which would be more in keeping with your position.’
    ‘And have you considered where we might move to? It may be difficult for us to leave Ledbury, unless another situationbecomes available elsewhere. I know that both Worcester and Hereford are fully staffed at present. And then I don’t know of any suitable properties in Ledbury.’
    ‘There are plenty of properties available in Malvern,’ suggested Lucy.
    ‘Malvern?’
    ‘I notice that you spend quite a deal of your time there, and Ledbury is still quite near for you to travel to everyday if you need to,’ said Lucy becoming more animated as she rose from her chair and walked over to her husband. ‘In fact, yesterday when I was in Malvern I went into one or two agents, and acquired the particulars of some rather interesting houses that are available to rent.’
    ‘I see. You have been busy, my dear.’
    ‘There is a particularly pleasant house near the common at the Wells, which has a delightful drawing room with a large window that overlooks the garden, which I know the children would enjoy. It has such a fine view. It also has an extra two bedrooms, one of which would form a very nice nursery for Arthur.’
    ‘It would appear that you have already been to view the property.’
    ‘I knew that you would not mind, Samuel. You must really come and see it, as soon as you are free. I know that once you have seen—’
    Lucy’s flow of words was suddenly interrupted by a loud knock on the front door.
    ‘Whoever can that be at this time of night,’ said Ravenscroft rising from his chair.
    ‘It’s Constable Crabb sir,’ interrupted the maid entering the room closely followed by the young fresh-faced constable.
    ‘Hello Tom, what brings you out here at such a late hour?’ asked