Read Online Dead In The Morning by Margaret Yorke - Free Book Online Page B

can’t tell without an examination,” said Gerald. “In every case of sudden death there has to be an inquiry, unless the person has been seen recently by a doctor and the death can be explained.”
    “It’s awful.” Cathy shivered. “There she was last night, as cheerful as could be. Why, she spent hours yesterday making a Charlotte Russe for today’s lunch. She made a special little one for herself, too, in case we didn’t leave her any, and she loves it. Used to, I mean.” At this, she suddenly burst into tears and Gerald put his arm round her.
    “There, there, little one,” he said, trying to think of words to comfort her. “She can’t have suffered. She was lying very peacefully, just as if she was asleep.”
    “I know,” wailed Cathy. “I thought she was asleep. But she was icy, icy cold!”

 
III
     
    Hardly to his surprise, for his patient’s tough constitution had long been known to him, Dr Wilkins found Mrs Ludlow in good order. However, he advised a quiet day and an early night.
    “I had dinner in bed last night,” she told him. “I never keep late hours, as you are aware, but we had such an excitement on Friday. My son Gerald brought home his bride. You’ll meet her when you go downstairs.”
    “Indeed?” said the doctor, shutting up his bag. “I didn’t know Mr Ludlow was planning to re-marry.”
    “It was quite a surprise to us all,” said Mrs Ludlow. “She’s an American, quite charming. The family is delighted.” This was uttered in regal tones.
    “Splendid, splendid,” said the doctor, his mind already on what else must now be done. It would be as well if the old lady were to be diverted while the body was removed; this could not be managed without some disturbance in the house, so someone must distract her during the operation.
    “I’ll come down with you, Dr Wilkins,” said Phyllis, who was in the room with them. “I won’t be long, Mother.”
    “Send Helen up,” ordered Mrs Ludlow. “She can help me with my hair. She may as well learn what I need done.”
    It was true. Until a replacement for Mrs Mackenzie could be found, Helen might be very useful, if she were willing. Betty’s help was of doubtful value, for she was so clumsy that she was bound to pull Mrs Ludlow’s hair or bang into the furniture and bump the bed, however anxious she was to lend assistance.
    Phyllis felt gloomy about the future as she led the way out of her mother’s room.
    “Come and have some coffee, Phyl. You must need it,” Gerald said, appearing in the kitchen doorway when he heard her and the doctor coming downstairs. “You too, Dr Wilkins. I’ve got some brandy here as well.”
    “Just the medicine,” said the doctor.
    “Helen, Mother wants you to go and help her with her hair,” said Phyllis. “Could you bear it?”
    “I’ll go,” said Gerald.
    “She wants Helen,” Phyllis said.
    “Of course I’ll go,” said Helen, standing up, a neat figure in her dark linen dress.
    “I’ll come too, shall I?” offered Cathy.
    “No, you stay where you are, my dear, and let your coffee settle,” said Helen. “Your grandmother won’t eat me. You forget that I’m used to elderly ladies.”
    “Phew, well, this will be a baptism of fire,” said Cathy, with a wry look.
    “Grandmother wants you to take her round the garden, Cathy,” said Phyllis. “I should hang on till then, if I were you, as long as Helen doesn’t mind.”
    Thumping sounds and the pealing of a bell could now be heard as Mrs Ludlow declared her impatience. Helen laid her hand lightly on Gerald’s arm for an instant, and then she left the room.
    The others sat down round the table again, and Cathy poured out the coffee for her aunt and the doctor. Gerald added generous amounts of brandy, and after they had sipped meditatively for a minute or two, Dr Wilkins spoke.
    “Mrs Medhurst, I gave you a new prescription for your mother’s sodium amytal capsules last week. Have they been collected yet?”
    Phyllis