A Finer End

from the back gardens, while beyond the houses on the left side of the road, the land dropped steeply away to a flat, level plain.
    Soon she came to the sharp turn Nick had indicated and began the climb up Wellhouse Lane. Immediately, she saw the bough-entwined entrance of the footpath that led to the Tor’s summit. She found the prospect strangely tempting, in spite of the uneasiness the hill engendered in her, but she resolved to put off the climb until another time.
    A bit winded by the time she reached the Dream Café, Gemma paused to examine the charm-and-ribbon-bedecked tree in its courtyard. It occurred to her that Winnie had come to the café on her bike, perhaps leaning the bicycle on that very tree.
    The interior of the café was dim and damp. Van Morrison’s ‘Moondance’ played on the cheap sound system, and a few customers sat eating at wooden tables. Beyond them, a lanky man with a greying ponytail worked in a small kitchen behind a serving area.
    ‘Are you Buddy?’ Gemma asked, reaching the counter.
    ‘One and the same.’ His smile was friendly, his accent vaguely American. ‘What can I do for you?’
    ‘My name’s Gemma. I’m a friend of Jack Montfort’s, visiting from London—’ is it Winnie? Not—’
    ‘No, Winnie’s condition hasn’t changed. Faith asked me to come and see you; she’s staying at Jack’s.’
    Buddy looked relieved. ‘I didn’t know, when she didn’t show up for work this morning. I thought the baby...’ Then his brow creased as he sorted out the implications. ‘Why isn’t Faith with Garnet? Is Faith all right?’
    ‘Faith is fine. It’s Garnet. I’m very sorry to say she’s dead.’
    ‘Dead?’ Buddy stared at her. ‘You’re joking, right?’ ’I’m sorry,’ Gemma repeated gently, i know you were friends.’
    ‘But — she can’t be dead! Not Garnet! There must be some mistake.’
    ‘Faith got worried when Garnet didn’t come home last night. She went to Jack, who called the police. They found her in her van this morning.’
    ‘In her van? But... I don’t understand.’ He seemed lost, the cheerful bonhomie extinguished. ‘Was there an accident? Was she ill?’
    ‘No one knows for certain, yet. But Faith wanted me to tell you.’
    ‘Faith...’ Buddy seemed to focus on Gemma with difficulty. ‘Who’s going to look after Faith now? I promised — promised Garnet I’d keep her safe... Look. I appreciate you doing this. But if you don’t mind...’ He looked ill, and his eyes had filled with tears.
    ‘Of course. There should be someone at Jack’s, if you want to ring up later.’
    Buddy nodded, and Gemma left him to his solitary grief.
    As she continued her climb, she wondered what other lives had intersected with Garnet Todd’s. The woman had certainly inspired strong emotion in those close to her — surely not a bad epitaph?
    The muscles in the backs of Gemma’s calves began to ache as the lane grew steeper. She was paralleling the northward rise of the Tor, moving closer to the ruined church on its summit. The climbers milling about the structure were clearly visible now, if disproportionately antlike.
    At last she saw the landmark Nick had given her, the fork of Stonedown Lane to the left and, fifty yards beyond it, a solitary and dilapidated farmhouse. Much to her surprise, there were no police cars. Only a Volkswagen saloon stood before the closed farmyard gate.
    As Gemma drew closer, she saw a man in the yard, and something in his movements struck her as furtive. He peered into the barn, then walked towards the back door of the house. A few feet from the porch, he halted, as if unsure what to do next.
    Reaching the gate, Gemma hailed him. ‘Hullo, there. Can I help you?’
    The man spun round, and for an instant she had the impression he might bolt. But she stood between him and his car, and by the time she’d let herself through the gate and crossed the yard, he seemed to have thought better of it.
    ’I’m looking for Garnet Todd,’ he replied, planting his feet firmly as if he had every right to be there. ‘I want to consult her about some tile work. This is the right place?’ he added, smiling, and it occurred to Gemma that he was quite attractive.
    ‘Yes, it’s the right place. But I’m afraid Miss Todd won’t be able to help you.’
    ‘But I’ve heard she’s the best—’ ’I’m sorry. I should have explained straight away. Miss Todd won’t be helping anyone. She died sometime last