Page 28 of The Runaway Wives

‘That must be where she’s hidden the box,’ Dee said.

Babs was already at the wardrobe, trying to pull open the doors. ‘They’re very stiff.’ She gave an extra hard pull and the door popped open. Babs fell back onto the floor on her backside. ‘Owww!’ she yelled.

‘Are you okay?’ Dee hurried over to help her up.

‘I think I’ve got a bruise on my bum!’ Babs rubbed it ruefully. ‘I don’t know how Edna manages to open those doors!’

‘I don’t think she goes in here often.’ Dee regarded the array of dated winter coats, evening dresses, fur stoles and other items of clothing that she couldn’t imagine Edna wearing now. They were clearly from the fifties and sixties but still looked in excellent condition.

‘These would fetch some money,’ Babs said.

Dee looked up at the long shelf running along the top of the wardrobe that was full of hat boxes, shoe boxes and neatly folded jumpers. ‘Edna said that the wooden box is at the back. I’m going to need a footstool to reach.’

‘There’s one!’ Babs pointed over to a wooden footstool with a pretty but faded embroidered top which was placed under the window. She went over and picked it up, carrying it back. ‘Phew! It’s heavy!’

‘Good, I don’t want it giving way underneath me!’

Babs placed the footstool on the floor by Dee, who manoeuvred it into place with her foot then stepped on it, feeling underneath the jumpers for a wooden box.

‘Nothing here,’ she said.

‘It might be behind it. She obviously doesn’t want Martin to find it, so might have hidden it really well,’ Babs suggested.

‘Good point.’ Dee took some of the jumpers off the shelf and passed them down to Babs who laid them carefully on the bottom of the bed. Then she saw a box, smaller than she’d imagined, pushed right at the back. ‘I’ve got it!’

She pulled out the box, surprised at how light it was, and handed it to Babs, who placed it on the bed then handed back the jumpers for Dee to replace on the shelf. Finally, Dee stepped down from the footstool and regarded the box. It was decorated to look like a book, and was the same size as a hardback novel, securely locked with a small bronze padlock.

‘Maybe she’s got her best jewellery locked in it,’ Babs suggested, giving the box a little shake.

Dee thought that was possible. She knew that many older folks didn’t trust banks or solicitors, preferring to keep their precious items hidden in their houses.

She slipped the box under her arm. ‘Let’s get going. I’ll feel happier when we’re out of here.’

They headed down the stairs and out of the back door, locking it behind them. Babs opened the gate and peered up and down the street, making sure the coast was clear before calling Dee out.

‘I feel like a criminal!’ Babs said as they hurried back to their cottage.

‘So do I,’ Dee agreed. The sooner Edna had her things the better. If only they could take them to her now instead of having to wait for visiting time tonight.

20

‘Hello, ladies, how’s Edna?’ Andi asked as Dee and Babs popped into Moira’s Café to tell her about the afternoon’s events.

‘News travels fast,’ Babs said.

‘Kenny’s been in. He told us about your house-breaking escapades.’ Andi grinned. ‘Fair play to you both. Edna could have lain there for ages.’ Her face sobered. ‘She could have died.’

‘We’re just glad that we got to her in time.’ Dee sat down. ‘She’s doing fine, sitting up and talking. We’re on our way to visit her again later but thought we’d pop in and let you know what happened. Also—’ she lowered her voice and looked around. The café was almost empty, as it would be closing soon and no one was paying attention, but even so. ‘Edna wanted us to get her handbag, with her phone inside, from her cottage and to lock it up. She seems worried that her son might try to persuade her to sell the house and put her in a home.’

Andi pulled out a chair and sat down beside them. ‘I think she might be right. She told me that Martin has been trying to persuade her to sell up ever since Bert died a few years ago.’ She chewed her bottom lip. ‘I think he means well, he can be a bit overbearing though. He could seize on this opportunity to say that Edna isn’t fit enough to live on her own.’ She leaned back in the chair. ‘If I’m honest I think he might be right.’

‘You must be close for her to confide in you,’ Dee said.

Andi nodded. ‘As I said she comes in a couple of times a week since her husband died, looking for company, I think. I always make a bit of time to chat with her and she’s told me that Martin’s a bit bossy.’

Dee hesitated, wondering if she was breaking Edna’s confidence to mention the box, then decided against it. ‘Edna said that she wants to phone her sister, Mabel. I think she’s hoping to move in with her.’

Andi’s face brightened. ‘That would be a better move than living alone. Mabel is lovely and Edna gets on really well with her. She’s been down to visit a couple of times and Edna’s brought her to the café,’ she added.

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