Death on Tyneside

Chapter Two

Chapter Two“I thought you were staying with your family for a few more weeks. I must have got the dates wrong.”

By now, Alan had caught up with Agnes at the Millennium Hotel. They had ordered coffee and scones to be served in the drawing room. Since arriving, he hadn't been able to take his eyes off her. To him, she looked amazing.

She was wearing a dress he hadn't seen before. Though that didn't surprise him; she seemed to have countless outfits. It was the way this one graced her stunning figure that captivated him. She also had a new hairstyle. It was cut quite short, but it really suited her; made her look even younger and she was sporting a wonderful suntan.

At school, he'd had a crush on her and had been disappointed when her family left the area. However, he had never forgotten her and could hardly believe it when he saw her again at the hotel after all those years. She was fun, she was graceful, she took life as it came, and she was… amazing. Yes, amazing! He didn't care how many times he thought it. There was no other word for it.

“That was the plan,” Agnes agreed. She smiled. “But I missed dear old England and I missed being here on Tyneside and…” Her voice trailed off.

“And?” Alan prompted.

She had been on the brink of adding how much she had missed seeing him during her time away, but had stopped herself.

“And, I just wanted to come back.” Agnes finished her sentence.

She looked away. Why couldn't she come out with the truth? He was a good man, honest, hardworking and always looked smart, even when wearing casual wear. He was the sort of man who would look good in a pair of dirty overalls. Though today, as he was on duty, he was wearing a suit, a crisp white shirt and a tie and, despite not being able to see them at the moment, she felt sure his shoes would be well polished. Part of his army training, she supposed. Nevertheless, why couldn't she simply tell him the truth?

Glancing towards the door, she was relieved to see the waiter heading towards them with the coffee they had ordered. The short interlude while he set out the table would give her the chance to change the subject.

“Tell me what has been happening here in Newcastle while I've been away,” she said, the moment the waiter left. “Didn't you get a medal or something for catching the thief?”

“No,” Alan laughed. “Besides, I think it was you who actually put us on track to catch both the thief and the murderer.”

“Then what else has been going on? Or has everyone been behaving themselves in my absence?”

“I have to say it has been very quiet since you left.” Alan stroked his chin. “Obviously, there has been the usual trouble in the city centre at the weekends. But nothing the uniform division couldn't handle.” He paused. “However, there have been a couple of suspicious deaths over in Gateshead, but it seems the DCI has apprehended someone.”

“Oh, so they won't need my help?” Agnes smiled.

“It seems not,” Alan replied, with a grin. “How long are you planning to stay? You never know, something else may arise while you're here.”

“I haven't decided on the length of my stay, but I have come well prepared. Ben – you remember Ben the taxi driver?”

She paused for a moment to allow Alan to recall the name.

He nodded.

“Well, Ben was shocked when he saw my luggage at the airport,” she continued. “He struggled to get my three large cases into his cab.”

Agnes took a sip of her coffee. “I asked for my old room, here at the hotel.” She shrugged. “I don't really know why. I suppose they're all the same. It's just I felt at home there, so why change it? There have been a few changes, though. I see the room now has a small safe tucked away in the wardrobe and the flimsy chain on the window has been replaced with something much more substantial. I doubt anyone could open the window wide enough to peer outside quite so easily now.”

“Yes, I heard they were going to add a safe to each room once the dust had settled after the jewellery thefts,” said Alan. “I didn't know about the window chain, though.”

He paused, for a second.

“Agnes, would you like to have dinner with me this evening?”

“Yes. Thank you, Alan. I would like that very much.”

* * *

Back upstairs in her room, Agnes threw her bag onto the bed. She was angry with herself. Why on earth hadn't she admitted to Alan that she had missed him while she was away? Why dodge the issue, when he was the main reason she had cut short her stay with her family? Yes, she had been truthful when she said she had missed England and Tyneside; but, for goodness' sake, she had missed him even more.

She had sensed Alan's disappointment when she hadn't included him in her reasons why she had cut short her visit to Australia. Though she had skimmed past the issue, she felt bad about it. She had wanted to tell him but panicked at the last minute. What if she had got it wrong a few months ago, when she first had the feeling he was attracted to her?

She looked at her luggage standing near the wardrobe; the cases were still waiting to be unpacked. She then glanced at her watch. It was still early in the afternoon. She had caught the first flight to Newcastle and Ben had been waiting at the airport to pick her up. Surely the unpacking could wait a little while longer?

She glanced towards the window. It was a nice, sunny day; tomorrow, it could be wet and miserable. Perhaps a quiet stroll would be good.

Her intention had been to take a simple walk along the quayside. However, when she stepped out of the hotel, she suddenly had the notion to visit the park at the north end of the city. She remembered going there as a child; it would be interesting to see how it had changed over the years.

* * *

Sergeant Andrews looked up when the chief inspector walked back into the office.

“Everything okay?” he asked. “Did Mrs Lockwood enjoy her stay in Australia?”

“Yes, I think so,” Alan replied slowly. “Actually, now you come to mention it, she didn't really say very much about her visit with her family. However, she did say she was pleased to be back here on Tyneside.”

“My guess is that she missed your company.”

“Perhaps,” Alan smiled.

He really hoped so, but only time would reveal Agnes's true feelings towards him.