Good Friday

Chapter Sixteen

Jane left earlier than usual for work on the Friday, not just to get out of the flat, but also to see what she would be working on. In some ways it came as no surprise that she had been assigned to the clerical office, typing and filing reports. She felt as if it was Crowley’s way of punishing her over the Pearl incident and just hoped that DCI Church had not made him fully aware of her indiscretions.

Jane missed the lab and working with Paul Lawrence. She knew if she was with him she could speak in confidence, that he would be understanding and give her sound advice on what to do. The day was labourious and she was given nothing of sensitive interest to type up, it was all reports about new office equipment and expenditure. She knew that word of an officers’ indiscretions travelled fast on the police grapevine and it made her feel uneasy. Every time someone walked into the room to put something on her desk she felt as if they were looking at her with disdain because of Pearl’s arrest.

Although she couldn’t wait for the day to end, part of her was dreading going home. When she finally got back to the flat, it was silent. All of Pearl’s belongings had been taken. Jane made an omelette and a cup of tea and sat at the kitchen counter trying to work out how she was going to be able to afford living there alone. The phone interrupted her thoughts. It was Natalie.

‘Natalie, I meant to call you… I’m sorry. I’ve been sort of up against it at work, and I’ve had a situation here at the flat that you just would not believe.’

Jane found it good to talk about Pearl. Natalie was understanding, and sympathised about how dreadful it must have been for Jane to find out she was a thief.

‘I sort of feel sorry for her. But at least I now have the flat to myself.’

‘Oh, I know exactly how you feel. I love being here on my own. How did dinner go?’

‘It was good, but then we had to go to the hospital as there was an emergency and Michael was on call.’

‘Oh dear, I hope it wasn’t serious.’

‘It was, unfortunately. Do you remember when we first met up again I’d been to see one of the victims of the Covent Garden explosion? She was such a wonderful lady, but she didn’t make it… it was very sad.’

‘Poor you. What with that and the Pearl situation you must be totally stressed out.’

‘To be honest, I am. But I’ll get myself together.’

‘Well, the reason I was calling was that I got into rather a panic as I remembered you needed a shawl or a little bolero of some kind, and I wondered if I was too late… is the dinner tonight?’

‘No, it’s next Friday… Good Friday. I do need something, though, and I still haven’t got any shoes.’

‘What about coming over tomorrow to try this little jacket I’ve got? I think it will look really nice… it’s got a few sequins around the edge, with capped sleeves.’

‘I can’t tomorrow as I’m going to my parents’. What about Sunday morning?’

Natalie said that was perfect and suggested Jane came over after ten as she was going out jogging first thing with some colleagues from the bank.

‘Tell you what, I can show you the best stuffing for a roast chicken, and maybe we can have lunch together.’

‘I’ll look forward to it. Thank you for calling.’

Natalie laughed, ‘I’ve noticed your most overused words are “thank you”!’

‘It shows you what a nice, well-brought-up, girl I am! See you tomorrow.’

The following morning, Jane decided to buy a pair of evening shoes. She walked from Baker Street to Oxford Street; London’s main shopping area was heaving with people and Jane spent over an hour window shopping before she saw a pair of high-heeled slingbacks in the window of a Saxone shoe shop. She was uncertain about them and tried on a few different styles before putting the slingbacks on again and walking up and down the shop to stand in front of a full-length mirror.

‘I think they’re very flattering to your legs.’ the salesgirl said, with hardly any interest.

‘I’m going to be wearing a long dress.’

‘Oh well, most important is they’re comfortable. They’re a good price.’

‘You don’t think they’re too high?’ Jane asked, as she took them off.

‘No, they show off your ankles. Unless you want to go for flatties, like the ones you’re wearing?’

‘No, I’ll take these,’ Jane said, slipping her feet into her old, comfortable shoes.

After walking home and putting the box with her new shoes into her wardrobe, Jane collected her car and drove to Maida Vale. She had taken her bag of dirty laundry to do at some point in the evening. It was already almost midday as she rang the doorbell before using her key to open the front door.

‘It’s me,’ she called out, shutting the front door behind her. In the hallway were two large suitcases with name tags, ready for their Norwegian cruise. Her mother hurried down the corridor her arms open wide.

‘Jane! Give me a big hug and a kiss.’

Jane sometimes forgot how attractive her mother was when she did her hair and make-up. She had had her hair coloured and permed, and was wearing a pale blue, round-necked sweater with a dark-blue pleated skirt.

‘Daddy’s just gone to get a bottle of rosé, and I made a steak pie last night, which I’ve got in the oven. I’m just going to make some gravy, and we’ll have mashed potatoes and green beans. Then we’ve got your favourite ice cream, vanilla and chocolate.’

‘That sounds delicious, Mum. Is Pam coming?’

‘Good heavens, no! She’ll be working until six in the salon and then she’ll want to check all her packing as Tony is useless.’

‘They’re going with you?’ Jane asked, surprised.

‘Yes, Daddy’s treat. They were a bit miffed about the money he’d loaned you for the flat, so this is a sort of peace deal.’

‘Well, that’ll be nice, and good company.’

‘I am so excited… I’ve never been on a cruise before. It’s been difficult to know what to wear as we have to dress for dinner every night, and then be prepared for very cold weather, and they have lots of games and entertainment indoors and out on the deck.’

Jane walked into the kitchen and pulled out a stool.

‘I was wondering if I could borrow that little pearl necklace you’ve got, with the small drop earrings?’

‘Oh dear, I’ve packed it. If only you’d let me know sooner… although it is rather lovely and I need some jewellery to wear on board the Bolette. That’s the ship we’re going on. It was only launched a couple of years ago.’

‘Never mind.’

‘Are you going somewhere nice?’

‘Yes, it’s a dinner dance for all the CID officers, at St Ermin’s Hotel.’

‘Oh well, if there’s anything that I’m not taking you’re welcome to try it on. Have you asked Pam?’

‘No, don’t worry… I’ll find something.’

Mrs Tennison busied herself setting the table and mashing the potatoes, whilst Jane sat on a kitchen stool watching. Her father returned from the local off-licence and they opened the chilled bottle of wine. They talked about the forthcoming trip to Norway and their excitement was endearing. She enjoyed being with them and didn’t spoil the mood by telling them about the situation with Pearl. She told them instead about meeting Natalie and how they had become close friends, but the conversation mostly returned to the cruise. As soon as her mother had prepared the veg and gravy she handed Jane the brochures for her to look at.

‘Fred Olsen is supposed to be a really good company. They do all sorts of trips but your father and I have always wanted to visit Oslo, and the fords look so beautiful.’

Mr Tennison smiled, and winked at Jane. ‘They’re pronounced fee-ords dear…’

Jane flicked through the brochure, thinking how much she would hate being cooped up on a ship for any length of time. She couldn’t imagine anything worse than dressing up every night to have dinner with a table of complete strangers. It had taken her long enough to find a dress to wear for her one night out at the Good Friday event, let alone two weeks of dinners. However, she was happy that they were so excited about the cruise and made an effort to sound enthusiastic.

‘It does look lovely, Mum… I’m sure you’ll all have a great time. Oh look, they do painting classes, and flower arranging as well…’

‘Oh, I’m not sure we’ll have time for any of that, dear. We’ll be too busy visiting the fords… I mean, fee-ords. Do you know, there’s even a hair salon on board? Pam will be so impressed. She does like to keep up to date and make sure she’s got all the latest hair styling techniques…’

Jane smiled and nodded, aware of just how competitive her sister was. Mr Tennison leant over and handed Jane a sheet of paper on which he had written, neatly and precisely, their cruise itinerary.

‘Just in case you need to get in touch with us in an emergency. You can call Fred Olsen’s office in London, and then they can send a telegram out to the ship. But let’s hope you won’t have any more emergencies for a while. You’ve been caught up in too many dangerous situations recently. Please be careful. Your mother and I do worry about you.’

Jane could tell that Mrs Tennison was starting to get anxious, so she quickly changed the subject.

‘I’m just going to get some things from my bedroom.’

Although it had previously been kept just as if she was still living at home, her bedroom was now full of boxes and there were bags all over her bed. She didn’t mind, but she was hoping her mother had not cleared out her underwear drawer. The drawer was almost empty as she had taken most of her things with her when she had moved to her flat. The remaining items were neatly folded and Jane searched through looking for the strapless bra she had used when she had been Pam’s bridesmaid. She found it at the back of the drawer and popped it into her bag to take home.

After helping her mother wash the dishes and clear the kitchen Jane sat down with her father, who was sitting in a wingback chair with his feet up on a stool.

He asked her how everything was at work. As usual Jane didn’t go into any details, but hinted that she was eager to leave Woolwich and return to the Dip Squad. She was just explaining exactly what the Dip Squad was when her mother interrupted, carrying a velvet-covered jewellery box.

‘Have a little hunt through here, dear, and see if there’s anything that takes your fancy.’

Jane sorted through various beads and chains in the main section, then looked through the top layer, which had compartments for rings and earrings. Everything she picked out her mother had an explanation of when she had been given it, and when she had worn it. Just as she’d decided there was nothing suitable, she found a thin gold chain with a small teardrop pearl attached.

‘I like this, Mummy.’

‘Daddy gave me that when your brother was born.’

‘Oh.’ Jane’s mother never spoke about the son she’d lost. Jane didn’t know what to say.

‘It’s an eighteen-carat gold chain, and the pearl is real.’

‘It’s beautiful.’

‘You can borrow it, if you like.’

‘No, really… I think it’s too precious.’

‘So are you,’ her father interrupted, and Jane found herself near to tears as he got up from his chair and carefully placed the chain around Jane’s neck.

Jane looked at her mother’s uncertain expression, but then Mrs Tennison took the jewellery box and closed the lid.

‘Well, you’ll always know when you wear it how much it means to me, because I’ve hardly ever worn it. It reminds me too much of holding him in my arms as a newborn baby. He would reach out to try to grab the pearl and I was always afraid the chain would break. Instead it was my heart…’

Mrs Tennison walked out with the jewellery box and her father put his arm around Jane’s shoulder.

‘She wants you to have it. I know she was going to give it to Pam for her baby, but when she miscarried it didn’t seem right.’

‘I’ll take good care of it.’

‘I’m sure you will. Who knows, maybe this cruise will give Tony and Pam a break and she’ll get pregnant again. That’d be icing on the cake.’

They had tea together and it was just after seven when Jane felt it was time to leave. Her parents were keen to get their clothes set out for their journey to Harwich in the morning. She hugged them goodbye, wished them a happy holiday and promised yet again that she’d be careful.

Jane stripped off her clothes and grabbed her robe before realising that she didn’t need to worry about bumping into Pearl on the way to the bathroom. She liked the fact she could walk round stark naked in her flat and not worry about anybody else being there. She looked at her reflection in the long wardrobe mirror, wearing just high heels, and momentarily found herself laughing. The tiny thin gold necklace, with the perfect teardrop pearl, hung down just above the curve of her breasts. She touched it lightly with her fingers, and thought of the gift from her father to her mother on the birth of her beloved little brother, who was now dead. She carefully undid the clasp and cupped it in the palm of her hand.

So many times she had wished she could be more honest and open with her parents, and be able to tell them truthfully how she was feeling and what she was going through. Over the years she had begun to understand the depth of their grief and she never wanted to subject them to any more pain regarding her chosen career. She hadn’t made a conscious decision to keep her fears and tribulations from her parents. The caring, loving side of Jane had made her always want to protect them, as if she was the parent and they were her children.