Departures (part 7 of 7)

Part 7 - Saturday

It was bright and sunny that April morning. The rain had been swept away by the wind overnight and the sun was now drying the puddles. Gloria Mason got off the early bus on Victoria Road and turned her feet towards Orchard Way. She glanced at the grocers as she passed, no more calling in there to pick up shopping. Gloria realised that today would be full of things to do and see for the last time and her normally cheerful, homely face was drawn and a little pale. She descended the basement stairs with a  heavy heart and knocked on the door.

 Kelly was feeling a little unsteady herself when she answered the door but one look at Gloria's face made her forget her own fears. "Oh, Gloria; are you alright? Do you want a cup of tea before...?" she pointed upwards to the flat windows. "No dear. Perhaps after. Are you ready?" Gloria asked tiredly. Kelly nodded and called over her shoulder to Kieran that she wouldn't be too long and then stepped out after Gloria.

Upstairs, flat 2 was silent. Stephen Rowland had left for Japan en route to Peru at 5am. Flat 3 was similarly quiet as Ness was still sleeping. She didn't need to be at the theatre until 11.30 ready for the matinee. Flat 4 was even quieter as Gloria opened the door. The air felt heavy and dull; dead, thought Kelly and shivered. She watched Gloria go into the kitchen first as was her habit and put her bag down on the worktop. They both walked through the flat noting signs of the police search. It wasn't a mess but things were out of place and the bureau had been left open. The bed was as it had been left by Mrs Bradley in the early hours of last Monday morning. "Right dear, would you give the kitchen a wipe over, there's cloths and spray under the sink." Gloria asked. Kelly agreed. Gloria herself went to the bedroom to strip off the bed, putting the sheets in the laundry hamper. She tidied the dressing table and then went into the bathroom. All neat there, so she joined Kelly who was straightening cushions in the living room. Gloria smoothed the cloth on the tea table by the window and tutted when she looked inside the bureau's yawning mouth. "It looks like they've taken some letters and things," she said. Kelly looked over. "How can you tell? It looks pretty messy to me." Gloria showed her the empty gaps, "and her bank statements and cheque book were always here," she added pionting to an empty pigeon hole. "I suppose they'll return them when they're done with them." Kelly offered. Gloria looked unhappily at her companion. "I'm sure they didn't need to take them, what could they tell them? It doesn't seem right, pawing over her things." Kelly put a comforting hand on Gloria's shoulder. "Come on. We're done here, let's go downstairs and have a cup of tea now, shall we?" Gloria cast a last look around and nodded agreement. As they left gloria put her key down on the worktop in the kitchen. "I won't be needing this anymore," she stated with a little wobble in her voice and then carefully shut the door for the last time.

Gloria couldn't prevent her eyes straying to the door leading to the attics. It was still taped up and she felt a little niggle of pain again. She turned and followed Kelly downstairs.

At the station DS Sawyer was wrapping up his case reviews with the team. He tapped the next file against his free hand as he picked it up.  "Okay. Olivia Bradley. Investigation hasn't picked up any evidence of foul play, but that doesn't mean there isn't any," he added, "No fingerprints, trace, no obvious signs of a break in or suspects. Post gives the how but not the why? Was it an accidental fall or was she helped?" He gazed around the small room and exhaled sharply. "Right. I know you all want to get home and enjoy what's left of the weekend. This case will remain open until new evidence comes up. The inquest starts in a few weeks so let's see what we can come up with by then. Dismissed." He ended the meeting and exchanged a few words with some collegues as they all dispersed.

The April sun continued to shine in a perfect blue sky as Gloria left 103 Orchard Way for the final time. It shone brightly on Kelly and Kieran as they took the children to the park to let off some steam on the swings. It warmed the audience as they approached the theatre for the matinee in which Ness was appearing. It blazed unhindered by clouds as Stephen Rowland looked out of the window of the aeroplane taking him to Japan. It even shone on the undertakers dispatched by Olivia Bradley's distant cousin to collect her body from the morgue and prepare it for burial.

Epilogue

Extract from the Borough News. April 25th 2011

Deaths.  Olivia Jayne Bradley aged 87, lately of Orchard Way Boroughby. Died suddenly April 16th at home. Sadly missed. Private funeral, family only.

Letter delivered by hand to all residents of 103 Orchard Way

Dear Tenant,

This is to inform you that since the sad death of Mrs Olivia Bradley, Mr Peter Collins will be taking ownership of the above address, 103 Orchard Way. As soon as all legal matters are in order, Mr Collins proposes to sell said property and therefore we are serving a two month notice terminating your tenancy as of the date at the top of this letter.

Yours Faithfully

Robin Neeson  City Lettings

April 30th 2011

The small six seater plane was being buffeted by strong winds above the deserted landscape in Peru and Stephen Rowland held onto his seat grimly. He'd had a good trip so far and didn't begrudge a little bad weather now. Japan had been especially beautiful and the tiny, delicate vase he'd found on his last foray into the attics had fetched a tidy sum. Those dusty rooms had been a real treasure trove for him to pick over slowly in the three years he'd lived there and it was a pity that he might have to leave Orchard Way now. A sudden lurch up and then sharply left caused him to gasp in fear. As the pilot fought for control, the plane bucked against the rudder and lurched sharply sideways again. They say that a man's life flashes through his mind when he is in mortal peril. Stephen Rowland could tell them it wasn't true. All he saw was Olivia Bradley's frightened face as she realised there really was someone up in her private attic at two in the morning. He'd only pushed her arm to escape but the silly old bat had lost her balance. Impelled by the push, she had hit the table corner hard and he'd left quickly, vase still in his hand. The crash ended all thought as it crushed the four lives on board.

Extract from the Borough Newa May 2nd 2011

Deaths.   Gloria Mason, beloved mum and nanny. Unexpectedly in hospital. Donation in lieu of flowers to British Heart Foundation