Read Online Deep Water, Thin Ice by Kathy Shuker - Free Book Online Page A

for a while,’ he remarked.
    Theo waited till he was half way down his pint before bringing up the subject of the new gallery in the village.
    ‘It won’t last will it?’ said Eric. ‘They never do.’ He laughed. ‘Have you seen the prices?’
    ‘Expensive is it? I saw some blonde woman in there the other day. Is she the new owner then?’
    Eric nodded.
    ‘Yes. Well, her and Bob Geaton,’ he corrected. ‘She’s the harbourmaster’s wife.’
    ‘Is she indeed?’ Theo nodded without apparent interest. ‘So do they live in the flat above the shop then?’
    Eric nodded and tipped another mouthful of cider in.
    Hugh finished serving a couple of holiday makers and came back up the bar and stood wiping glasses nearby.
    ‘I heard you’d had a run in with Bob Geaton,’ he said. ‘Didn’t he get your car clamped for being parked in the wrong place on the quay?’
    Theo could feel his blood rise again with the memory. He forced a grin.
    ‘Yes, the bastard. Apparently the places nearest the pontoons are ‘for people on harbour business only’. The bugger’s made that one up himself hasn’t he? It’s a poor look out when someone who’s lived here all their life is told where he can park and not.’ Theo paused and then added, with a studiously offhand air: ‘I’ve seen him in here a couple of times but I don’t think I’ve ever seen him with his wife.’
    ‘You wouldn’t,’ said Hugh, setting a glass down and picking up another. He glanced up and down the bar. ‘There’s a bit of friction there it seems.’
    ‘Oh?’ said Theo, raising his eyebrows. ‘Why’s that then?’
    Hugh shrugged and then glanced towards the kitchen where his wife was working. He gave Theo a pointed look.
    ‘That’s married life for you. He likes to relax when he’s not working; spends most of his spare time off fishing. Very keen he is. She’s got other plans I hear. Conflict of interests mebbe.’
    ‘That’s what ‘appens when you marry a younger woman see, Theo,’ teased Eric. ‘After a while they get bored.’
    Theo grinned. ‘I’ll bear that in mind Eric.’ He downed the rest of his pint in one and laid the glass down firmly on the bar. ‘Thanks Hugh, Eric. Be seeing you.’
    Theo wandered out onto the quay and went to lean on the wall for a few minutes, looking out at the rising water in the harbour. Then he turned away and casually walked back upriver towards the boatyards. He glanced briefly towards the harbourmaster’s office to check he was there and carried on, past the chandler’s and then looped round and back through to the main road and up to the gallery. He stood at the window for a minute, as if studying the display, then pushed the door open and went in.
    Helen Geaton was sitting at the counter on a high stool, looking something up in a catalogue as he came in. She looked up, said: ‘Afternoon,’ and then he felt her eyes on his back as he slowly worked his way round the displays. Eventually he paused in front of a large painting of a naked woman. He turned suddenly to look at Helen and smiled.
    ‘How refreshing to find something other than insipid little watercolours of the harbour. We haven’t had a decent gallery in Kellaford for…actually I’m not sure we’ve ever had one.’
    Helen came out from behind the counter and walked up to stand beside him.
    ‘So you’re local then?’
    ‘Yes, though I’ve been away a lot.’
    She wasn’t a tall woman; the top of her head only just came up to his shoulder. A floral perfume emanated from her as well as something more electric. Perhaps a desire for something to happen to break up the day.
    ‘You don’t sound local,’ she said, teasing her mouth into a sensual smile.
    ‘That’s what public school does for you.’ Theo smiled again and then looked back at the nude: a large oil on canvas of a woman reclining on a chaise longue. There was something of Manet about it but the pose was less direct and more indolent, which made it all the