The Mystery of Ruby's Mistletoe

Chapter 4

2

“Ruby!”

Ruby Dove glanced up from her sketchbook and smiled at Fina. “Glad to see you too, Feens, but why all the enthusiasm?” Her pencil flew across her drawing of a chartreuse silk evening gown. Fina knew Ruby was under pressure to complete a set of designs for a client who had requested at least one gown be finished for a New Year’s celebration.

Though it was sunny outside, the room still needed a fire. And Ruby had built an enormous one, topped with discarded and crumpled sketches to keep it burning nicely. The steam from the tea kettle was so thick Fina couldn’t see through the windows. Ruby sat in her favourite overstuffed chair, curled up with a rug thrown over her shoulders.

Fina paused. It was a frightful shame to disturb such a cosy scene. But she must. She locked the door behind her and, still fully clothed in her outerwear, slid into the chair opposite Ruby.

Ruby bolted upright. “Whatever is the matter? Shall I put on my coat?”

“No.” Fina put a finger to her lips. “We ought to stay quiet. Until we’re certain that constable isn’t roaming around anymore.”

“Constable?” Ruby jumped out of her chair.

Fina waved her hand downward in a calming motion. “I don’t believe he’ll find us. At least, not at the moment. He’s at your door, searching for you. I hope you’ve stored away any incriminating items. Related to our activities, I mean.”

Ruby’s eyes grew wider as she paced in front of the cheerful fire. “Start from the beginning, please.”

Fina took solace in the fact the fire was unworried by their predicament. She struggled out of her coat. The room had suddenly become stifling. “While I was in the quad, trying to take a stroll in the sun and not be pummelled by snowballs, a constable approached me. He said he wished to question you about some ‘activities’.”

Ruby held up a hand. “Wait a moment. Does he mean our anti-colonial activities? If so, I keep all of that material so well-hidden no one would recognise it if they happened upon it.”

“I’m as blind as a hen in the night. ‘Activities’ might mean anything from stealing a policeman’s helmet to high treason,” said Fina, immediately wishing she hadn’t mentioned treason.

Ruby turned on her heel so rapidly her skirt nearly caught fire.

“I realise you have a need to pace, but you’d better move a little farther away from the fireplace. You’re already in enough trouble. We don’t need you to catch fire!” Fina said.

Ruby moved to the opposite side of the room and continued her movement, in a small circle. “Let’s assume the constable is searching – or has finished searching – my room. He won’t find anything. What will happen next? What did you tell him when he asked you about me?”

“He won’t find anything, so he’ll leave or will question other students. But none of them know you well enough to say anything. Only Gayatri. And she’d never say anything.”

“She’s already sailed for India,” Ruby interjected.

Fina nodded. “I told the constable your family had set sail for the Caribbean and that you were aboard that ship. He contradicted me – he said you were the one family member not on the passenger manifest.”

“And what did you reply?”

“I said perhaps you had other business to attend to in London and that you’d probably join your family soon. I made it clear I knew nothing about your current whereabouts.”

Ruby’s shoulders sagged a little. “Thanks, Feens. I suppose that buys us a little time. Although what are we buying it for?”

As if in answer, a light tapping noise came at the door.

“One moment,” Fina called out in her best casual voice.

Ruby squeezed herself into the alcove next to Fina’s bed. Watching her friend move into place, Fina tripped over the rug and stubbed her toe against the large armchair. “Ooof!” she yelped.

“Anything wrong, miss?” the muffled voice asked through the door.

“Yes, er, yes.” Fina winced as she limped toward the voice.

It was Durnford. The head scout who resembled a fairy but breathed fire like a dragon. The scout they called by her last name because no one dared ask her Christian name. Durnford was so thin she had to wrap her apron string three times around her waist. Standing attention at the door, she held a tray with a teapot, cup and saucer, a chocolate digestive, and a newspaper.

Fina’s eyes lit up at the chocolate digestive, but she managed to avoid the distraction. “Why, thank you. What’s the occasion? Why this sudden rush of service?”

“Oh, I – seeing it was the weekend, and getting close to Christmas and all, I thought it would be nice to offer the young ladies staying in college some tea and biscuits.”

Nice offer, my foot. As if Durnford had ever made a purely altruistic gesture in her life. But Fina had to play along. She took the proffered tray but did not move toward the fireplace. If Durnford was allowed an opportunity to enter, she would. Holding the tray, Fina blocked the door. Just like Mabel had in the stairway. The earthy smell of the tea calmed her. Prince of Wales.

“Well, that’s kind of you. I am peckish, so this ought to tide me over until the next meal.” She grabbed the doorknob and moved it slowly toward Durnford.

Durnford, never one to be at a loss for words, babbled, “Ah, have you seen Miss Dove? Some – ah, a man, ah, was looking for her?”

“Oh, really. A man was looking for Miss Dove?” Fina winked.

“Oh, no. A policeman – a constable – was looking for her. Where might she be?” Durnford craned her neck to see past Fina’s arms, her eyes straining as she peered around the room.

“You should know where she is, shouldn’t you? You’re the head scout,” said Fina in a disapproving tone. She was quite enjoying having the upper hand over Durnford for once.

“Yes, that’s true enough. She said she was sailing with her family to the Caribbean.”

“That’s precisely what she told me. Goodbye, Durnford.” Fina closed the door halfway and then opened it again, remembering her manners. “And thank you for the lovely tea and biscuit. I shall savour them while I read my new mystery novel in front of the fire.”

She shut the door, turned the lock and set the tray on a side table. Then she walked back to the door and put her ear against it. Silence.

Ruby poked her head out from the alcove, but Fina waved at her to remain in her position.

Fina flung open the door. Durnford stood over her, as sharp-eyed as a gannet.

“You can go now, Durnford. I’m sure you have other trays you need to deliver.” Fina shut the door and strolled over to the fireplace in triumph.

Ruby wiggled out of her hiding place and poured herself a cup of tea. She said nothing, but smiled. They both knew they’d better be silent for a moment or two more.

Fina half-mouthed, half-whispered the words, “How do we find out why they’re searching for you?”

Ruby mouthed back, “Call Pixley.”