Read Theft on Thursday for Free Online Page A

y’know.”
    “Not in Long Farnden we aren’t,” replied Lois, and put down the phone. She marched off towards the kitchen, where she found Gran peacefully cleaning brass candlesticks and listening to a play on the radio.
    “Cuppa tea, Mum?” said Lois, deciding that a softly-softly approach was best.
    Gran looked up at her. “So what d’you want, Lois?” she said.
    “To know if you’d like a cup of tea,” said Lois defensively, filling the kettle. “A perfectly innocent question.”
    “Mmm, well, thanks. Yes, I would. And what else?”
    “Oh, all right,” said Lois, laughing. “Do you know anything about Jamie and Mrs. T-J’s granddaughter? Derek saw them holding hands in Tresham.”
    “Annabelle, d’you mean?” said Gran. “Yes, of course I know her. Very nice little thing. She’s been here once or twice—probably when you’ve been working—and seems very pleasant. No side at all, unlike her grandma.”
    Lois was speechless. “Why?” continued Gran. “Is something wrong? Have they quarrelled? Both very young, of course. She’s seventeen, though. Not all that young, nowadays.”
    “I should’ve been told,” said Lois.
    Gran bridled. “What do you mean, Lois? Aren’t you being a bit ridiculous? It’s not as if she was a royal princess …”
    “Thought Jamie’d have more sense,” said Lois without thinking.
    Gran put down the bottle of metal polish with a bang. “That’s enough,” she said. “Can we change the conversation?Your son Jamie, a very nice lad, has got a very nice girlfriend, and nobody’s complaining except you.”
    “And Derek,” said Lois. “Well,” she added, aware that she was not being quite fair, “not complaining exactly, but he obviously thought it was a bit dodgy.”
    “Mum!” Jamie’s voice shouted from outside the kitchen window. “Door’s locked! Let us in!” He was grinning at her, and she understood, really understood, for the first time that he was a young man, and a very attractive one. But that doesn’t mean I can’t have my say, she reassured herself, and went to let him in.
    “Thanks,” he said, and looked across at where Gran had resumed her cleaning. “What’s up, Gran?” he asked.
    “Nothing,” she said.
    “Come on,” he said. “I know that face. What’s Mum bin saying?”
    Lois decided the time was ripe. “We were talking,” she said, “about your new girlfriend. Annabelle Tollervey-Jones.”
    “Right,” said Jamie, a soft look on his face that jolted Lois. “Did she ring? We were in Tresham, shopping. Did she forget something?”
    “Um,” hesitated Lois. “No,” she said quickly. “No, she didn’t ring. Gran was just telling me what a nice girl she is. You must introduce me.”
    “Blimey, that’s a bit formal!” said Jamie. “We’re not engaged, or anything! You’ll meet her, Mum. She’s been here once or twice, but I expect you were out. Anyway,” he added, “how’s about a cup of tea? I’m thirsty.” He looked at Gran, but she waved a hand at Lois.
    “She’s doing it,” she said flatly. “Make the most of the offer, Jamie. And don’t make it too strong,” she added to Lois.
    “Don’t listen to her, Mum. Gnat’s pee, that’s Gran’s tea,” said Jamie cheerfully, and turfed a snarling Melvyn off the chair in order to sit down.

    I N THE LONG DRAWING ROOM AT THE H ALL , M RS . Tollervey-Jones looked around her with pleasure at the muted colours of her interior décor. It had been newly designed by the friend of a friend, and though she had been rather shocked at the invoice, tasteful as it was on thick paper with a gold heading, the total was twice what the girl had estimated. Still, she was a sort of friend, and Mrs. T-J had swallowed hard and paid up.
    Widowed relatively young, she ran the Hall and its estates in a very efficient, businesslike manner. From her farm manager down, all her employees respected and admired, but did not love her. She had always regarded Long Farnden