Episode 19 - Ladies' day

Wednesday November 4

“I’ve decided what to do,” Gary told Cleo at breakfast.

“You talked in your sleep, Gary. I think you were rehearsing that questioning.”

Episode 18 - Brainstorming

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Episode 17 - Femme Fatale

Tuesday November 3

Cleo and Gary were sure that Edith Parsnip had the strongest motive to kill the vicar. The small birthmark on the tea-lady’s left hand that Greg described could easily be verified. It was potentially a damning clue to Edith’s guilt.

Episdoe 16 - In vino veritas

Monday cont.

Gary had only just arrived at the office when Roger Stone rang.

Episode 15 - Blame the stork

Monday November 2

So much for Sunday.

Episode 14 - Inconstant nymph

Sunday cont.

It was with heavy hearts that Job’s comforters knocked on the front door of the vicarage.

A jovial Edith Parsnip opened the door.

Episode 13 - All saints (and sinners)

Sunday November 1

Just after midnight, Dorothy phoned. She had just arrived home from the hospital in a taxi and was eager to tell Cleo what had happened in the meantime. Gary listened in, of course. He was just as curious.

Episde 12 - Leave it to Dorothy

Saturday October 31

Saturday started late except for Charlie getting up soon after six. She had switched on the Saturday morning kids’ TV entertainment, made herself cocoa in the Micro, found the chocolate biscuits and settled down for a couple of hours of uninterrupted viewing before the grown-ups appeared.

***

Episode 11 - Albert's secret

Friday October 30

Dorothy’ phone-call had made Cleo uneasy. Her mind could not get off the subject of Frank Cook. Was he responsible for the ridiculour idea to take the day off when the Grisham case was in disarray and the vicar had still not reappeared.

Episode 10 - Multi-tasking

Thursday October 29

The vicar’s disappearance had left Upper Grumpsfield’s parish church in disarray. The Bishop would be sure to send someone to preach on Sunday, but that did not solve the problem of the traditional Christmas entertainment.

Episode 9 - Small talk

Wednesday cont.

Gary was giving PeggySue her supper when the door bell rang. Cleo opened the door to Chris, who was accompanied by a young man. Gary introduced his little daughter briefly and went to put her to bed. PeggySue was tired. She would sleep all through whatever loud conversation and laughter ensued.

Episode 7 - The coffee bar

Wednesday October 28

Cleo and Dorothy agreed that the walk down the hill to Lower Grumpsfield would do them good. It was quite a long way. Plenty of time to discuss the Grishams and the continued absence of Frederick Parsnip.

Episode 6 - Introducing Frank Cook

Tuesday cont.

Robert had included porterhouse steaks in Cleo's order although she hadn’t ordered any. No T-bone, however. Was that symbolic of their estrangement? T-bone steaks had been frequently on the menu that she and Robert had grilled and eaten together when their appetite for them far exceeded the appetite they had for one another. In the end, their passion for good food had replaced any vestige of passion.

Episode 5 -The truth will out

Tuesday cont.

Cleo decided that she and Dorothy would find out more about Grisham with their own methods. They would also make an effort to trace the vicar, though Cleo did not think there was much hope if he had decided to disappear. But they would tread carefully. No one should find out that they were doing their own bit of spying since Gary would be furious!

Episode 4 - Friends

Tuesday October 27

Domestic bliss is all very well, but it doesn’t get crimes solved.

Episode 3 - B420 slash 256

Monday cont.

From about ten miles south of Upper Grumpsfield Gary followed the instructions given to him by the patrol officer. He was to turn right off the main immediately after a pub named ‘The Swan’ that was on the right side of the road, and drive down a very bumpy lanecalled ‘Swan Lane’ for about a hundred yards to an open space. There they would find the car and the police officer in charge would be waiting for them. The area had been cordoned off and an ambulance was standing by.

Episode 2 - Beatrice

Monday October 26

Although the five Parsnip boys would inevitably brag at school about their hero of a father going to Africa to convert the pagans, they were not sorry to see him go.

Episode 1 - The wonder

Sunday October 25

When is news gossip?