The Ullswater Undertaking by Rebecca Tope (read dune .TXT) 📕

him in the general confusion. ‘Had you known her a long time?’ she asked.

‘Man and boy,’ he said, with an attempt at a smile. ‘Must be close on forty years.’

‘Don’t tell us you went to school with her as well,’ said Christopher, a trifle impatiently.

‘Lived in the same road. Her dad and mine were best mates. She’s ten years younger’n me, but yeah, we went to the same school. Everyone did. Big comprehensive, where else are we going to go?’

‘Right,’ said Christopher. ‘Have you seen Pattie anywhere?’

‘It was Josie who got me this job, you know. I’d been knocking about doing this and that, nothing regular, and then one day she said she could have a word with Oliver and see if he’d take me on. Been here ever since.’ He sighed. ‘Won’t be the same now.’

‘Pattie?’ Christopher prompted.

‘Upstairs with the pictures, last I saw her.’

‘I’ll go and call her, then.’

Simmy was carrying the baby on her shoulder instead of lugging him in his seat – which he had been keen to escape. It was by far his favourite position, whichever parent adopted it. It gave him a good view of the world, while being warm and secure. For Simmy, the little head against her neck was bliss. It made her feel connected to him as no other arrangement did, other than feeding. Sometimes she forgot he was there, having a free hand and no cumbersome equipment.

‘Seems a contented little chap,’ said Jack, who was hovering behind her. ‘Looks like his dad.’

‘Do you think so? Most people say he takes after Christopher’s father.’

‘Hm,’ said Jack vaguely. ‘Here’s Pattie, look.’

The girl came rattling down the little staircase from the upper level where pictures were displayed. Simmy had never been up there and had little idea of what it was like. The building was a converted warehouse, as most auction houses seemed to be. There were odd additions such as half-floors and small side rooms, but almost all the action took place in the huge central space. ‘Is he awake?’ Pattie demanded eagerly. ‘Can I hold him?’

Simmy was still not comfortable with handing him over to anyone but Christopher and her parents. Helen Harkness had given her no choice and had in the process forced her to relax a little. But she had never met this Pattie person before and could have no confidence that she wouldn’t drop him or squeeze him too tightly.

‘Course you can,’ said Christopher firmly, and plucked little Robin out of his mother’s grasp. ‘We only came back so you could have a bit of baby-worship.’ He handed the infant over, and Pattie seized him joyfully. Simmy was left with a cooling place on her neck and a clamouring inner voice saying What if she’s got a cold? Or something worse?

‘Did you have a good lunch?’ Jack asked, still hovering.

‘Pretty good. Oliver’s cut up about Josephine, of course. It’s going to be bedlam here tomorrow, with everyone trying to figure out the system.’

‘It’ll be fine,’ said Pattie, not looking up from Robin’s little face. ‘Josie wasn’t nearly as indispensable as people keep saying. But we will need a replacement, of course. We can’t do everything with one person missing.’

Christopher gave a small laugh. ‘Looking for promotion, then?’

She did look up then. ‘Well, somebody’s got to be manager. I’ve been here as long as any of the others – except Jack,’ she added with an expression that said it certainly wasn’t going to be him.

‘What about Fiona?’ Simmy asked.

‘She’s got different skills,’ said Pattie tightly. ‘And the others are all part-time. They only work twenty-five hours a week, when you average it out. Even less in one or two cases.’

Simmy was unsure who ‘the others’ were, exactly. There was a stout woman who sat beside Christopher while he conducted the auction, and a small gang of boys who helped to find lots for the buyers at the end of the sale. ‘Well, good luck then,’ she said doubtfully, aware that she could be missing some powerful office politics.

Robin was treacherously enjoying his new friend. He gazed into her face and worked his mouth as she talked. ‘Look – he’s copying me!’ Pattie cried. She put her tongue out, and miraculously the baby did the same. ‘What a clever boy!’

‘They do that,’ said Simmy.

‘Do they?’ asked Christopher, who was every bit as impressed as Pattie. ‘I haven’t seen him doing it before.’

‘My mother does it with him.’ She was exaggerating, in a confused attempt to diminish Pattie’s triumph. Angie had in fact only once managed to get Robin to open his mouth when she opened hers right in his face. ‘We should get him home,’ she went on. ‘He must be tired by now.’

‘Well, thanks for bringing him,’ said Pattie with a frank smile that made Simmy feel churlish all over again, as she had done with Pattie before lunch. ‘He’s an absolute treasure. You’re really lucky.’

‘I know,’ said Simmy, taking the baby back. ‘I still can’t entirely believe it.’

‘Every baby’s a miracle,’ said Pattie simply.

For the first time, Simmy noticed a gold cross hanging round the girl’s neck. Suddenly everything fell into place. She was religious – something that seemed unusual and even slightly embarrassing in modern times. It transformed her into a whole other person – still irritating, but somehow innocent and well-intentioned. She really did believe that every baby was a miracle, precious in the sight of God, and to be cherished accordingly. The aura of blithe confidence made sense, too. But where did that leave the violent killing of her colleague? And did she really imagine she could step into Josephine’s shoes and run the business as it had always been run?

‘Thanks,’ Simmy said. ‘I’ll bring him again in a few weeks’ time. He likes you,’ she added generously.

Christopher took her arm gently, as if approving of her words. ‘Better go,’ he said. ‘See you tomorrow, Pat. Don’t expect it’ll be much fun. Where did Jack go?’ he wondered, looking around.

‘Oh, he sloped off five minutes