Sidney Chambers and The Shadow of Death (The Grantchester Mysteries)

knew.’
    ‘Will you let me out?’
    ‘I am afraid I can’t, Miss Kendall.’
    ‘What if I promise not to tell anyone about the painting?’
    ‘I don’t believe you . . .’
    ‘The police know I am here.’
    ‘I am not afraid of men in uniform.’
    Amanda wished she had brought Sidney. ‘I am sure they are on their way even now,’ she said.
    Wilkie Phillips’s reply was both calm and wheedling. ‘Well, we’ll just have to wait and see. I’m not sure I’ll be letting anyone else come into the building. That would be as much of a mistake as letting you through the door in the first place. In fact, I am rather upset. I was distracted by your beauty.’
    ‘I hardly think so . . .’
    ‘If I could see more of you, of course, I might be a better judge. I could be kinder.’
    ‘Don’t be absurd.’
    ‘You are in no position to call me absurd, Miss Kendall . . .’
    ‘What are you going to do?’
    Wilkie Phillips still had his mouth close against the door. ‘I don’t quite know. I haven’t made my mind up. Exciting, isn’t it?’
     
    The next Thursday evening, on 26 August 1954, Geordie Keating and Sidney Chambers were about to begin their routine game of backgammon in the RAF bar of The Eagle. The inspector was in a good mood: the children were back at school, the football season had begun – his beloved Newcastle United had even won 3-1 at Arsenal – and Scotland Yard had commended him for his help on the Templeton case. He therefore took the opportunity to josh Sidney about his future marriage plans, asking him explicitly about Amanda.
    ‘If you want my opinion you should stop all this shilly-shallying and propose.’
    ‘I don’t think anyone would ever see Amanda as a vicar’s wife.’
    ‘She could break the mould.’
    Sidney threw his dice to begin: a six and a one. ‘Besides, I like things the way they are. We are good friends. I don’t want to ruin it with romance even if I had the chance. There’s a lot to be said for celibacy, you know. More time for God.’
    Inspector Keating responded with a four and a three. They were even. ‘It’s unlike you to be so reticent.’
    ‘I’m being realistic. There is a difference.’ Sidney stopped before his next turn. ‘Although it’s a curious thing, Geordie. I haven’t heard from her for a few days. I left a message with my sister and Amanda hasn’t replied. That is quite unusual.’
    ‘She’s probably found someone else by now.’
    ‘There is always someone else, Geordie. I am quite used to that.’
    Keating put down his pint and gave Sidney one of his irritatingly ‘concerned’ looks. ‘It’s strange that she hasn’t returned your telephone call. Why don’t you try her again?’
    ‘I don’t want to pester her.’ Sidney threw down the dice too aggressively. They bounced off the board and skidded off the table and on to the floor. He could not concentrate at all.
     
    Trapped in the lavatory of a remote farmhouse outside Ely, Amanda was beginning to lose sense of time. As soon as she was sure that Wilkie Phillips had gone to bed, she took the opportunity to wash and brush up. There was no hot water and only a slim bar of Cidal soap. Then she did a few exercises that she had remembered from the Girl Guides: running on the spot, touching her toes and three or four star jumps. She remembered the motto ‘Be Prepared’ and was furious with herself all over again; a woman who had always prided herself on her intelligence being duped into this!
    She found sleep on the cold lino of the lavatory floor nearly impossible. She eventually drifted off and tried to think of the good things in her life but the dawn came all too soon. Then, what at first she thought to be a strange bird-like sound, turned out to be Wilkie Phillips whispering a high-pitched song through the barred window.
    ‘Oh dear, what can the matter be
    Two old ladies stuck in the lavatory
    They’ve been there from Friday to Saturday
    Nobody knew they were there.’
    ‘Please let me out.’
    Wilkie Phillips’s rabbit eyes were visible through the bars. ‘I don’t think you’re in any position to make demands.’
    ‘I’m hungry.’
    ‘I’ve left you a sandwich.’
    ‘I can’t eat it.’
    ‘It’s salmon paste. I made it especially for you.’
    ‘I don’t want it.’
    Wilkie Phillips had a colder tone to his voice. ‘I think you’ll have to look after yourself if you want to survive.’
    ‘Are you threatening me?
    ‘I might be. And then again, I might