Jane went back to the Woolwich lab and reported what had happened. It was not until she had returned home in the evening that she received a call from Michael with an update. Although Daphne had quietened down after being sedated and was still breathing on her own, she was in a poorly but stable condition. Michael said he was looking forward to dinner on Wednesday, but explained that he couldn’t talk any longer as he was still doing his rounds.
Pearl was cooking something that made the flat smell like a soup kitchen. She was wearing an old terry towelling robe and had applied a cucumber face pack, making her look like an alien. Jane retreated into her bedroom and was sitting on her bed when Pearl knocked on her door.
‘Sorry, I forgot to mention it… when I got in that woman Natalie rang again. She’s at home and asked if you could give her a ring… something about a frock.’
‘Thank you. Have you finished in the kitchen?’
‘Yes, all clear. Do help yourself to some soup… it’s lentil, potato and chickpea.’
‘Thank you, but I ate in the canteen at work. Oh, there’s something else… I’m having a friend over for supper on Wednesday at seven thirty, so I’d appreciate it if you could give me some space in the kitchen.’
‘Fine by me, I’ll be very unobtrusive. I might see if I can go out to the cinema with Eric.’
Jane waited until she heard Pearl’s bedroom door shut before she went out into the hall to ring Natalie.
‘Hi there, it’s Jane. You rang earlier?’
‘Yes, I did. It’s about the hire place for your big do. The woman who runs it is quite protective of her clients as she buys from all the debs, so you’d have to go to her home in Chelsea. I think it would be a good idea if we meet up for a coffee beforehand, so I can introduce you to her. It’s always good to have someone else’s opinion when you’re choosing the dress that’ll make you the belle of the ball!’
‘Oh, that’s kind of you, but I’m working over at Woolwich this week.’
‘She doesn’t keep to shop hours, so why don’t we meet up after work and I can organise for her to meet you in the evening… say, Wednesday?’
‘I can’t on Wednesday. I have a dinner date.’
‘Oh, I say! Which one of the suitors is that with?’
Jane laughed. ‘It’s the charge nurse… and guess what I’m cooking? Bolognese.’
Natalie laughed. ‘What about tomorrow night?’
‘Yes, why not. Where shall we meet?’
‘There’s a coffee bar on the corner of Sloane Square, by the Royal Court Theatre. I can be there whenever it suits you… at the bank we get off quite early.’
‘How about six thirty?’
‘Terrific, see you then. I look forward to it.’
Jane smiled as she replaced the handset, and took her notebook into the kitchen. She pulled out a stool and sat down at the counter, making a list of ingredients she would need to buy for Wednesday. Although Pearl had left the counters wiped down, the top of the cooker was dirty and needed cleaning, and the pedal bin was full of wrappers and mounds of potato peelings. There was a large pan on the stove containing thick, congealed soup. Pearl had made enough to last her for days.
Jane emptied the bin, irritated that Pearl hadn’t done so. She had to take the rubbish bag all the way down the stairs to the front door. By the time she had deposited it into a bin allocated for all the flats she was even angrier, and went back upstairs to have it out with her.
Jane knocked on Pearl’s bedroom door and waited. When there was no reply she opened the door and looked in. The room was very untidy and there seemed to be even more piles of books than she remembered.
‘Pearl? Pearl?’
‘I’m in the bathroom, taking off my face mask,’ Pearl shouted.
Jane stood outside the closed bathroom door. ‘Pearl, when you fill the pedal bin in the kitchen could you empty it and take it down to the bins outside? I’ve just done it, but in future could you try to keep it clean as otherwise it starts to smell awful.’
‘OK, I didn’t know where the rubbish went… sorry.’ The bathroom door swung open and Pearl stood in the doorway holding the kettle.
‘Do you need to use the bathroom? Only I’m giving myself a steam-cleansing treatment… the face mask draws all the dirt out of the pores.’
‘No, you carry on.’
‘I can get bad acne you see, so I have to really take care of my skin. I pour very hot water onto the flannel, then cover my face.’
‘Well, I’m sure you know what you’re doing…’
‘You should try it… removes blackheads better than anything.’
Jane gave Pearl a condescending smile as she walked back to her own room and closed the door. Too much information… she thought, hoping Pearl’s facecloth was not left hung over the basin next to hers.
The following morning, as Jane was getting dressed for work, DCI Church rang.
‘Just checking in to see how things are going at Woolwich.’
‘It’s quite a schlepp there and back, but it’s OK. I had a fascinating day last week watching Dexter disarm a bomb.’
‘What, a real one?’
‘No, just a fake one, but when I saw the dummy being blown up I thought it was him.’
‘One of these days that risk-taker is going to blow himself up. Use your time there to your best advantage — it’s good experience… Then we’ll have you back on the Dip Squad. In the meantime, we’re just allocating names to the tables for the Good Friday event. You are coming, aren’t you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Good, and will you want a ticket for anyone else?’
Jane could tell from Church’s tone he was being inquisitive. She thought about Dexter, then Michael.
‘No, just one ticket.’
‘Right, well in that case you can come as my guest.’
‘Thank you, but I insist on paying for my own ticket.’
‘Fair enough. For obvious reasons we’ll be getting taxis there and back, but I’ll need to get there earlier as I’m doing the seating plan.’
‘Where exactly is it?’
‘St Ermin’s Hotel in Caxton Street, just opposite Scotland Yard. The invitation is for 7 p.m. prompt, so I’ll arrange for you to be picked up by Stanley and Blondie from home.’
‘I can easily get a taxi straight there.’
‘Up to you. It’s black-tie, by the way.’
Jane laughed softly. ‘Yes, I know… you’ve told me. And long frocks… in fact, I’m sorting mine out this evening after work.’
‘Maybe we could have a catch-up drink on Wednesday evening?’
‘Actually, I’m having dinner with someone on Wednesday… in fact, I’m cooking.’
‘It’s not Dexter is it?’
‘No, sir… it’s the charge nurse from the hospital.’
‘Oh, right. I read the report saying that the old lady’s had a bit of a setback.’
‘Her name’s Daphne… Daphne Millbank… I think it’s more than a setback, but I’ll know more when I’ve talked to Michael.’
‘Michael?’
‘He’s the charge nurse.’
‘Ah, right, I see. Just keep in mind that we do need you to be wary at all times. And make sure we know where you are and who you’re with.’
‘Yes, sir. I’ll make out a report for the office diary so it can be updated every day.’
‘Good girl… well, that’s it for now.’
‘Can I ask, sir, would it be possible for me to take a day’s leave today? I’ve got housework to catch up on and shopping. And I’d like to look at some evening dresses for the do on Friday.’
‘A woman’s work is never done, eh? I can’t see it being a problem. Take it as a yes. I’ll inform Crowley and the lab you won’t be in today.’