FOWC with Fandango — Strange
Both women started as they heard the knock at the door and Cynthia looked quizzically at Jenny.
“Expecting anyone?” she inquired.
“No,” said Jenny. Hardly anyone ever knocks at my door, unless it’s the postman and it’s not likely to be him at this time of night!”
“You’d better answer it,” Cynthia said. At least I’m here so you’re not alone.
Jenny made her way nervously to the door. She opened it hesitantly, and was surprised to see Hugh standing there. He looked rather STRANGE and almost ghostly as the street light fell onto his face. He had in his hands a book, and Jenny noticed that he had gloves on.
“Jill asked me to call,” he explained. “I’ve been into Manchester to meet an old journalist friend, and as your house was on the way back she asked me to call off and give you your book back. She found it on the bedside cabinet in your room.”
Jenny looked at the book in his hands, and saw immediately that it was “God’s Funeral,” a book that George had suggested she might like to read, and he had purchased a copy for her. It was a book that was all the rage in theological circles, but Jenny had never quite been able to get into it. Alluring though the title was, once inside the book it was quite wordy and boring.
“How did you know where I live?” asked Jenny.
“Well Jill told me,” he said. “Don’t you remember her asking you to bring her here one day?”
Jenny thought for a moment, and did remember that Jill had indeed asked her to bring her to her house one day. She’d wanted to have a look at the garden, or at least that was what she’d said. Jenny remembered how nervous Jill had been in the car, saying that she didn’t really like anyone but George driving her, as he knew to be very steady. It had seemed a bit odd to Jenny at the time because she had been with a group from the church out for a meal one evening, and on the way home Jill had admonished George for driving too fast.
“George,” she’d said. Slow down. I’m losing my pudding.”
Jill had not really understood why Jill wanted to come to her house at all. It was a very modest one, by the vicarage standard, and even the garden was not that interesting. But there had been a bit of washing up still left to do, and Jill, in her usual domestic mode, had swiftly gone into action and washed the pots.
“Well thankyou,” said Jenny, putting her hand out to take the book. “I’m sorry I can’t invite you in, but I’ve got company.”
Hugh leered a little bit as he began to move away from the door, and Jill felt a shiver go down her spine. Hugh had really taken on a quite sinister look. She was glad to see him get into his car and leave.
Upon returning to the living room, Cynthia, having heard everything, remarked, “That was a bit of a turn up. I wonder why he really came? Leaving a book behind is really a small matter.”
“Yes, I thought it odd,” said Jenny. “And what was more odd was that he had gloves on. And it isn’t really that cold a night.”
“Hmmm,” said Cynthia. “He would do anything for Jill you know. “Even murder.”
Jenny began to shake a little.
“We’ll meet and talk again very soon,” said Cynthia. Just lie low for a while, and don’t answer the door to anyone. I’m going to go back and do a bit of research. I don’t like this.”
With that, Cynthia went, leaving Jenny with “God’s Funeral” in her hands.
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