Cecily reached the kitchen just as Gertie burst through the back door. The housemaid started to say something, but Mrs. Chubb, having just pulled a tray of coconut tarts from the oven, jumped in first.
“Gertie McBride! Is that any way to behave? Look at your cap. It’s hanging on by one pin. It’s a wonder you didn’t lose it.”
From across the room, Gertie glanced at Cecily. “Sorry, m’m.” Hastily she tugged her cap straight and tucked the stray hair back underneath it.
Mrs. Chubb swung around, her face creased in dismay. “Oh, I didn’t see you there, m’m. What can we do for you?”
“I need to speak to Gertie right away.” Cecily checked herself. “At least, I need to talk to the twins and I’d like Gertie to be there.”
Gertie looked surprised, as did the housekeeper. “Well, get along, Gertie. Take madam to see the twins.”
Rubbing her arms, Gertie walked cautiously toward her.
Unable to contain herself, Mrs. Chubb demanded, “Where have you been, out in the cold without your coat?”
“In the woods.”
“What the blazes were you doing in the woods?”
Gertie smiled. “Looking at a tree house.”
The housekeeper clicked her tongue in annoyance. “You’re not making any sense.”
“Clive built it.” Gertie turned to Cecily. “You should see it, m’m. It’s beautiful. Clive was out there every night in the snow and rain building it. The twins are going to love it. He did it for a Christmas present for them.”
Mrs. Chubb gasped. “Fancy that! That was really good of him.”
So that was what Clive didn’t want to tell her, Cecily thought. He wanted to keep it a secret until he’d shown Gertie what he’d done.
“It was a lovely surprise.” Gertie rubbed her arms again. “And to think I thought he might have been the one that killed Ian.”
Cecily started. “Gertie… I need to talk to the twins. Now.”
“Yes, m’m.” Looking worried, Gertie barged through the door.
Cecily followed her, hurrying to catch up as she rushed down the hallway.
They reached the door together, and Gertie gave her an anxious look. “I hope they didn’t do nothing to get into trouble, m’m. I know they’re a bit overexcited and all, but Daisy’s been keeping an eye on them-”
Cecily held up her hand to halt the gush of words. “It’s all right, Gertie. They haven’t done anything. I just need to talk to them, that’s all.”
Gertie still looked apprehensive as she opened the door.
Daisy looked up from her perch on the bed, then jumped to her feet when she saw Cecily. “Good morning, m’m.”
“Hello, Daisy.” Cecily smiled at Lillian and James, who sat on the floor playing with building blocks. At least, James was playing, while Lillian watched. “I just want a word with the twins.”
Lillian scrambled to her feet, obviously delighted at the interruption. “Are we going for another walk?”
“Not now, precious.” Cecily bent down until her face was level with the little girl’s. “I want you to tell me about your elf.”
James’s chin shot up and he looked sternly at his sister. “She made him up,” he said, sounding cross.
“Did not.” Lillian pouted. “You saw him, too.”
James’s face turned red. “He said not to tell.”
Cecily turned to the little boy. “Who told you not to tell?”
James looked down at the carefully built blocks and then, with a swoop of his hand, knocked them all flying. “He said if we tell, Father Christmas won’t come.” He glared at his sister. “Now look what you’ve done! Now we won’t get any toys.”
Lillian started to whimper, and Cecily put an arm around her. “It’s all right, little one. I promise you, Father Christmas is coming tonight.”
Lillian sniffled. “How do you know?”
“Because he told me.” Cecily crossed her fingers briefly, hoping she’d be forgiven the white lie.
Gertie, looking worried, bent over her son. “James, you tell me the truth right now. What did you really see?”
James jutted out his lip. “He was a big elf.”
“Where did you see him?”
“He came in here.”
Gertie gasped in horror, her hand over her mouth.
Daisy uttered a shocked cry. “James! He couldn’t have done. I haven’t seen anyone in here and I’m in here all the time.”
“The other night,” Gertie said, her voice hoarse with fear. “I went to the kitchen to get some milk and something to eat. I was only gone about five minutes, but…” She swallowed. “I thought Lillian had been playing with my things. That’s when he must have come in and left the candlestick.”
Lillian nodded. “It was the elf. He said Father Christmas had sent him with a present for us and he put it under your bed. He said we weren’t to touch it until Christmas morning.” She shot James a look of accusation. “James said it would be all right if we just looked at it and then put it back. But then Mama came in and took it away.”
Gertie dropped to her knees and pulled both children into her arms. “I’ll never leave you alone again,” she said fiercely. “I swear to God.”
“Then you saw the elf again, didn’t you, Lillian.” Cecily bent down again. “In the lobby this morning?”
Lillian nodded.
Gertie stared at her, while Daisy uttered another muffled cry. “Who was it?”
“Sid Barrett.” Cecily straightened. “He was leaving the lobby when you brought the twins in to see me. I don’t have time to explain everything now. Gertie, find Archie Parker. Tell him to meet me at the flat over Abbitson’s, the butcher’s shop. Tell him to come right away.”
Gertie scrambled to her feet. “Isn’t that where Gloria was living?”
“Yes. I believe Sidney Barrett is taking her there. He probably thinks Ian has hidden something he wants in the flat and could be forcing Gloria to find it for him.”
Gertie gasped. “Then he did know Ian before. Pansy was right.”
“If I’m right, then Gloria might be in danger, so please, hurry, Gertie.”
“It’s all my fault. I told him about Gloria. He didn’t know about her until I told him. If he hurts her-”
“Gertie… please. Find Archie Parker.”
“Yes, m’m. Right away.” Dropping a flustered curtsey, Gertie lunged for the door. “What about Mr. Baxter? Won’t he want to know where you’re going?”
“Mr. Baxter isn’t here. If he does come back before I return tell him I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Yes, m’m.” Gertie dragged open the door and fled out into the hallway.
Daisy looked frightened as she gathered the children close. “What shall I do?”
Cecily smiled at the twins, both of whom were staring at her with fear on their faces. “Just stay here and make sure the twins have plenty to keep them occupied. We want them to be tired so they’ll sleep tonight.”
Lillian’s eyes lit up with hope. “Father Christmas is really coming tonight?”
“Yes, he is.” Cecily moved to the door. “And I happen to know that he has a very special surprise for both of you.”
She could hear their squeals of excitement as she hurried up the hallway to the stairs and thanked the power of Christmas magic.
Out in the lobby she cornered a footman and ordered him to have Samuel ready the carriage once more. Then she hurried upstairs to fetch her coat and scarf.
A few people were wandering in and out of the lobby when she rushed down again, but she could see no sign of Gertie or Archie Parker. She would just have to leave and hope that he caught up with her.
Baxter had not yet returned, and she left a message with Philip to tell him she’d be back shortly. Then she hurried out to the stables, where Samuel was almost finished harnessing the horse.
“Has Mr. Parker been out here yet?” she asked, as Samuel cinched the last strap of the bridle.
“No, m’m. Was he supposed to meet you?”
“I’m sure he’s on his way.” She lifted her skirts to climb into the carriage. “Tell one of the footmen to get the trap ready for Mr. Parker. He’ll be following me into town.”
“Yes, m’m.” Samuel disappeared into the stables, then a short time later hurried out again. Opening the carriage door, he stuck his head inside. “I couldn’t find Sid, so I told Lawrence to drive Mr. Parker into town.”
Settling back, she nodded. “Very well. Thank you, Samuel.”
“Yes, m’m.”
She felt the carriage sway as he climbed up onto his seat and gathered the reins. It was just as well she had Samuel with her, she thought, as they trundled across the yard and through the gate. Waiting for him to close the gate behind them, Cecily thought about what she might do once she reached the flat. She really hadn’t thought much about it until now.
The best thing to do would be to wait for Archie Parker to arrive. If Sidney was a killer, it wouldn’t be wise to tackle him, even with Samuel by her side. On the other hand, Gloria could be in danger. She wasn’t holding Sidney’s hand after all. He’d been leading her out onto the street. Probably against her will. In which case, time was of the essence.
The carriage jerked as Samuel nudged the gray forward. Cecily felt a stab of apprehension. She could only hope that Gertie had managed to find Archie Parker and that he was right behind her.
The sound of church bells, as they entered the town, reminded her that it was Christmas Eve. The carriage rattled up the High Street, scattering busy last-minute shoppers, until they pulled up outside Abbitson’s, the butcher’s shop.
The name had been changed twice in recent years, but to Cecily, it would always remain Abbitson’s. The shop was crowded with anxious customers, all jostling for the best last-minute bargains. Geese hung upside down in the window, alongside turkeys and chickens, all of them looking pale and forlorn without their feathers.
Cecily hastily looked the other way. She had trouble equating a steaming, golden roast turkey with the live variety strutting around a farmyard.
The door opened and Samuel poked his head through the gap. “Did you want to wait for Mr. Parker, m’m?”
“Yes, I think we should.” She peered anxiously out the window. “Do you see any sign of him?”
Samuel withdrew his head, then looked in again. “Not yet, m’m.”
“Very well, we’ll give him a few minutes.” She settled back on her seat to wait.
Across the street a gentleman hovered outside a hat shop, obviously trying to decide on a Christmas gift for his lady. Next door at the toy shop, people hurried in and out, loaded up with packages for some lucky children.
Everyone seemed to be in a hurry, frantically trying to get everything purchased and transported home in time to enjoy the celebrations.
While here she was, stuck in the carriage, waiting for help to come. What was happening to Gloria? What if she knew Sid had killed her husband and Sid thought she had to be silenced? Was Sid Barrett evil enough to kill in cold blood? Considering he was a member of a London gang of thieves, it seemed likely.
Cecily sat forward. She could no longer sit there contemplating the possibilities. Gloria’s life could depend on her. She had to act now.
Urgently she rapped on the window. Once more the door flew open and Samuel peered in.
“Yes, m’m?”
“Samuel, we must go up to the flat and rescue Gloria this minute.”
Samuel looked as if he had been punched in the stomach. “Rescue who?”
“Gloria. Ian Rossiter’s wife.” Realizing her stable manager had no idea what she was talking about, Cecily scrambled down from the carriage. “Come with me, Samuel. And bring your whip. We might be in dire need of a weapon.” Ignoring Samuel’s grunt of apprehension, she marched purposefully toward the butcher’s shop.
Gertie muttered to herself as she tumbled up the stairs in her haste to reach the top. Why was it that whenever she had to find someone in a hurry, their room was always on the top floor?
Gasping for breath, she rushed down the hallway to Archie Parker’s room. Silence greeted her knock, and she tried again, bruising her knuckles as she pounded on the door.
The door next to her opened instead and a wary face looked out at her. “I say there, is something wrong?”
Gertie forced a smile. “No, sir. Sorry, sir. I was just looking for Mr. Archibald Parker. I don’t suppose you’ve seen him anywhere?”
The gentleman frowned. “That Parker chap? Bit of a bounder if you ask me. Unsociable fellow. Can’t imagine what he’s doing down here on his own. Doesn’t even answer when spoken to, and always skulking about in the corners.”
“Yes, sir.” Gertie was backing away, nodding and smiling. “Well, thank you, sir. I’ll find him.”
Relieved to see the door close, she turned tail and ran back to the stairs. If Mr. Parker wasn’t in his room, he could be anywhere. Grumbling under her breath, she charged down the stairs a good bit quicker than she’d come up them.
All she could think about was Gloria in the hands of that sleazy sod, Sid Barrett. Not that she and Gloria were on the best of terms, but she didn’t like to think of anyone at Sid’s mercy.
She’d seen the look in his eyes when he’d cornered her out in the yard. He’d frightened her, and she didn’t scare easily. That was a mean one, all right, and she could well believe he’d coshed Ian over the head with the candlestick.
Maybe he hadn’t meant to kill him, but Ian was dead anyhow, and now Gloria was a widow and all alone.
Gertie reached the lobby and paused to get her breath. She still had trouble understanding why Gloria had stayed with her husband after she’d found out he’d gone through a mock wedding with another woman. Or why Ian hadn’t had any children with her.
Still, none of that mattered now. What mattered was finding that drippy Mr. Parker and getting him to the butcher’s shop. Though, that was something else she didn’t understand. Why would madam want someone like that silly clod to help her with Sid? It didn’t make sense. Then again, nothing much made sense these days. Like her row with Dan.
Gertie started down the hallway to the bar. She should never have suspected Dan of killing Ian. No wonder he was upset. Still, how was she to know what he was doing skulking around the Pennyfoot late at night without telling her he was there?
Misery engulfed her again as she remembered him walking out on her. If he left her, the kids would miss him dreadfully. So would she. The last time he’d left she had been miserable for months thinking about him and wondering what he was doing.
She reached the bar door and peered inside. Several men sat at the tables and at the long counter, but none of them was Archie Parker.
Her next stop was the dining room. Although it was over an hour until lunchtime, she thought he might be in there having a late cup of coffee or something. The room was empty, however, and she suppressed a wave of panic.
What would she do if she couldn’t find him? Madam was waiting for him, and Gloria was with Sid, who might do heaven knows what to her, and there’d be no one coming to help her. It didn’t look as if Mr. Baxter was back yet. What was she going to do?
Gertie swung around, gathering herself to dash down to the library. Just as she was about to launch herself forward, however, a figure stepped out of the shadows, right in front of her.
Gertie shrieked. He’d come up on her so silently she hadn’t heard a thing. Heart pounding, she glared at Archie Parker. “What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Following you. Someone said you were looking for me.”
Gertie peered at him, puzzled by the transformation in him. He seemed taller, somehow, and not at all drippy. Even his voice had changed. For a moment she wondered if she’d mistaken him for someone else, but then he spoke again, his voice urgent and crisp.
“Why were you asking for me?”
“Madam told me to tell you to meet her at Abbitson’s, the butcher’s shop, sir.”
He frowned. “Butcher’s shop? Where is that?”
“It’s in the High Street, sir.” It was strange, but before when she’d talked to him, she’d resented having to call him sir. Now it seemed the right thing to do.
“Did she say why she wanted to meet me there?”
“Yes, sir. She thinks Sid Barrett killed my… killed Ian Rossiter. He’s taken Gloria… Ian’s widow to the flat over the butcher’s shop because-”
“All right, wait.” Archie held up his hand. “You can tell me on the way there. Come on, we must get a carriage ready right away.”
“Madam’s already gone in the carriage, but you can take a trap, but…” He was walking away from her and she had to hurry to catch up with him. “I can’t go with you, sir.”
“Yes, you can. I don’t know where the shop is and you must show me. Besides, I need to hear everything on the way down there.”
“But I have to get ready for the midday meal.”
“That can wait. I’m not so sure Mrs. Baxter and Mrs. Johnson can.”
Gertie stared at him. “Right.” They had reached the lobby and as she passed the reception desk she called out to Philip. “Tell Mrs. Chubb I had to leave for a while. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
She didn’t wait to see Philip’s reaction. It was unheard of for a housemaid to just get up and leave right before the midday rush. Chubby would have a pink fit.
Gertie puffed out her breath. She just hoped madam would understand she had no choice, or she could be in really bad trouble.