Page 69 of A Poisonous Plot

“Previously, he was adamant it couldn’t be anything to do with Arthur.”

“I know, but after his experience with the plant, he’s changed his tune. He thinks it’s all down to Arthur, but he has no proof, and the sergeant still won’t hear a bad word said against Arthur.”

“I’m definitely going to speak to Gordon,” Lily said, already shoving her feet into her trainers by the door. “I’ll talk to you later,” she said before she ended the call.

After a brisk walk across the island, she was disappointed to find the gate to the garden centre closed and a sign on it announcing it wouldn’t be open again until Monday. She should really have expected that. Sally would be taking care of Gordon until he was fully recovered.

She lingered by the gate, glancing around. Gordon’s house was next door to the garden centre – he’d pointed it out to her when she’d first met him. She didn’t hesitate long before setting off down the drive to the quaint cottage.

Uncertain of the reception she’d receive, she was relieved when Sally answered the door with a smile.

“I was just thinking about you,” she said, stepping onto the doorstep and pulling the door behind her before wrapping Lily in a hug. “To start with, I owe you an apology,” she said when she released a slightly dazed Lily. “I was rude the last time we spoke. Honestly, I really believed it was nonsense that someone was deliberately poisoning people, and I was upset with you forthinking it could be someone at the garden centre.” She heaved in a ragged breath. “Now, I understand you were just trying to keep people safe.”

Lily opened her mouth to speak, but Sally continued before she could get a word out. “I’m so grateful to you for helping my dad. Sergeant Proctor explained how you’d given first aid and called for help.” She squeezed Lily’s hand. “I love Arthur to bits, but he’s useless in a crisis.”

Lily had to agree with her there. The only thing Arthur had been interested in was the plant. She liked to think that if she hadn’t been there, he’d have done more to help Gordon, but she couldn’t swear to it.

“How is your dad?” Lily asked.

“Driving me crazy!” Sally’s eyes sparkled as she smiled. “He’s clearly exhausted, but he’s ranting about needing to find the person who put that plant in his office.” She rolled her eyes. “All he actually needs to do is rest, but he won’t listen to me.”

“Is he up to visitors?” Lily asked.

“Yes! Sorry, I should have invited you in. Come on, I’ll put the kettle on and you can say hello – give me a bit of respite from listening to him.”

“I think I’d be baying for blood too,” Lily said, stepping into the long hallway behind Sally.

“Finally!” Gordon’s voice drifted from a room to the left. “Someone who might listen to me. It’s very good of you to call over, Lily.”

“Go in,” Sally said as she set off to the kitchen at the end of the hall. “I’ll join you in a minute. Do you want tea or coffee?”

Lily hesitated, still not feeling overly trusting. “Just a glass of water, please.”

“I hear I owe you a debt of gratitude,” Gordon said, when she walked into the small living room to find him sitting in an armchair with his bandaged arm resting in his lap. Given hispale skin and slumped posture, he looked as though he’d be better off in bed.

“It was nothing,” Lily said, but felt her stomach roll at the thought of his blood all over her hands. “I’m glad you’re okay. I thought you’d need to stay in the hospital for longer.”

“He should have done,” Sally called from the kitchen. “The stubborn mule went against the doctor’s advice.”

“There was no need to stay longer,” he insisted, though his shaky voice hinted that even speaking was an effort. “I’m more comfortable at home.”

“How’s your arm?” Lily asked.

“It’s just a cut,” he said with a dismissive wave of the hand.

“It was a deep cut,” Lily said. “You should take it easy.”

“It’s this tiredness that’s the worst of it,” he grumbled. “Sally insisted on closing the garden centre for a few days, so I feel absolutely useless.”

“You should concentrate on resting,” Lily said, lowering herself onto the threadbare couch.

“I’m not sure how that’s possible when there’s someone terrorising islanders.” He sat forward in his chair. “I hate to say it, but I’ve been very disappointed in Sergeant Proctor. I always thought he was an asset to the community, but he seems to have dropped the ball on this matter.”

“How so?” Lily asked.

Sally walked in and set a glass of water on the coffee table in front of Lily.

“Please don’t start on this again,” she said, taking a seat beside Lily. “Sergeant Proctor is taking the matter seriously. The only reason he isn’t following up with your demands is because your wild allegations are entirely wrong. That’s obvious to everyone except you. Once this poison is out of your system and you’re back to your usual self, you’ll see that you’re not thinking straight.”

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