Birds Of A Feather Episode 25
As Rob drove past Nightingale Cottages, he noticed a window open in the room Elsie had told him was Jess’s studio. The one with the view over Billington Grange.
His lips tightened as he thought of Kevin Brigstocke living in that lovely house, and what he’d done to those Rob loved.
His father, wired up to all those machines, white as death. And his mother, the fear in her eyes and the harsh words spilling from her mouth.
She had turned to anger, as she always did, when faced with things she couldn’t handle.
Then, as always, his thoughts turned to Alice. They said she’d lost control when she took a bend too fast. But had she?
That question haunted his sleep. Alice had been a safe driver. If only he’d gone with her. If only they hadn’t had that stupid row.
He stopped the car and, without giving himself time to think, rapped on Jess’s door.
He saw Elsie’s curtain twitch, but he was past caring about being overheard.
This time there was no smile of welcome on Jess’s face as she opened the door.
“Can I come in, Jess? It’s important.”
Her eyes were serious as she stared at him.
“Who are you? I mean, who are you really?” She looked over his shoulder.
“You’d better come in. That woman spends her entire life hovering behind that curtain.”
Rob followed her into the kitchen.
“Elsie said your studio window overlooks the back of Billington Grange and I was wondering –”
“No,” she interrupted. “Not until you answer my question.”
Rob sighed.
“It’s a long story. And I promise I’ll tell you. But please, the studio?”
She looked at him intently as if she was weighing up whether or not to trust him.
“OK. Come on up.”
She led him up two flights of stairs to the studio room at the top of the house.
He walked across to the large window at the far end and looked out.
Elsie had been right. It looked over the sun terrace at Billington Grange.
Jess gave a start of surprise as they saw two figures cross the terrace.
“That’s Sam Weston,” she said. “Last time I saw him, he was in a van in the car park at Folly Farm.
“What’s he doing there? And how does he know Kevin Brigstocke?”
“Kevin Brigstocke knows any number of dodgy characters,” Rob muttered. “Do you mind if I use your binoculars?”
“Go ahead. They belonged to my grandfather. He was a keen birdwatcher, though Daphne Heston-Plucknett insists he used them to spy on her.”
That sounded just like his mother, Rob thought.
“Whatever they’re talking about, Sam doesn’t look pleased,” he observed as he trained the binoculars on their faces.
As they watched, Sam left and Kevin Brigstocke went across to the triple garage that was set back from the house and screened by a high hedge.
It was a recent addition to the house, and certainly not one Rob remembered.
Besides, there was a perfectly good double garage on the side of the house, so why build another one?
Was it possible Alice’s suspicions had been correct? He hadn’t wanted to hear, if he were honest.