At that moment, Eleanor caught Constable Fry’s eye. It seemed he wanted a word. They met in the middle of the room.
‘Is everything alright, Constable?’
‘Oh goodness, yes, m’lady. It’s just that the little’uns are getting scratchy, what with being so tired on account of all the fun we’ve had.’
His wife appeared behind him, holding three blanket-wrapped bundles with difficulty. ‘Thank you so much, Lady Swift. We’ve all had such a wonderful time, I hope you won’t think us rude if we slide away and get the boys to bed?’
‘Gracious, not at all. I imagine keeping the routine is triply important.’ Eleanor was genuinely in awe of Mrs Fry coping with three young wilful triplets. Sometimes she struggled to cope with one elderly wilful bulldog. A thought struck her. ‘Constable, where were you when we all went out to get the race underway?’
‘Hurrying up the last of the hill, m’lady. The Atwoods’ pigs broke out again. Proper escape artists they are.’
‘So you didn’t see the reverend fire the starting pistol then?’
‘Oh that I did, m’lady, but only by the skin of my teeth. Good job Mr Clifford was there. Afterwards I had words with the reverend about the appropriate way of handling such a dangerous device. He seemed quite agitated.’
‘That’s not like the reverend. He’s always so jolly and easy.’
Fry ran his hand over his chin. ‘Well, for him, he was in a right old fluster. Probably worried he might have accidentally shot one of his flock, I imagine.’
His wife bumped her hip against his. ‘Well, the reverend didn’t injure anyone. And it all went off on time, which was lucky seeing as a couple of the men were getting all over-competitive.’ She laughed awkwardly. ‘Silly boys, it was only for fun.’
‘No one came to blows, I hope?’ Eleanor said.
‘Gracious, better not have.’ Fry looked stern. ‘I’ve no problem having stiff words with troublemakers to break up a brawl, even on Christmas Eve. Course I’d have taken them off out of sight first, m’lady.’
‘So kind.’ Eleanor wondered for the hundredth time how this gentle giant had ended up in the police force.
His wife shuffled one of the babies into his arms. ‘Ooh, heavy now. Anyhow it wasn’t anything serious, just Canning up to his usual. It was ever so thoughtful of you to invite him, Lady Swift. I’m sure most people wouldn’t have.’
‘Oh really, but he’s been such a loyal coal merchant to the Hall for a long time.’
‘It’s just that he’s unpredictable at times. But then I think being a loner can do that to you, don’t you?’
Fry caught up. ‘Canning was the one going at it, was he, luv?’
‘No more than usual. Couldn’t see who the other chap was, nor Canning himself mind, but you can’t miss Canning’s voice. Rough and raw, all those years at sea shouting over the wind, I imagine. Shame, Lady Swift, you having put on such a special do for us all, as well.’
Eleanor tried to choose her words carefully. ‘Gracious, what could possibly be so important that it was worth arguing over on Christmas Eve, I wonder?’
Mrs Fry shrugged. ‘No idea. All I heard was him saying something about there’d been nothing before and there was nothing now.’ She rocked her babies. ‘Funny how some folk can even fight about nothing, eh?’ She looked around the room. ‘Speaking of the devil, I haven’t seen Canning since the beginning of the race.’
Eleanor caught the constable’s eye. He shook his head and whispered, ‘I’ll tell her when we get in. Didn’t want to upset her afternoon.’
Mrs Fry looked at him quizzically. ‘What’s that, Bob? Honestly, sometimes your face goes as long as a horse. ’Tis a party not a funeral!’
Ten
Once the constable and his wife had left, Eleanor turned to Clifford. ‘Fry has done an admirable job of keeping the news quiet, but it will be all over the village by the morning I’m sure. Now, we know Canning changed into his running clothes after he got his number, so let’s head to the changing room and see what we can find.’
Disappointingly, the room itself offered nothing despite their detailed search. Eleanor pursed her lips. ‘Again, Clifford, I find myself wondering what on earth I hoped to uncover. Criminals never actually leave a signed confession note or vials of poison behind, do they?’
‘Only in penny dreadful novels, my lady.’
‘Ah, that’s probably where I got the idea from,’ she confessed.
Clifford clicked his fingers, the sound muffled by his pristine white gloves. ‘Was there not a lady in charge of the changing rooms?’
Eleanor’s eyes lit up. ‘Of course, she was manning them for us, how could I have forgotten. Come on, let’s see if she saw or heard anything.’
In the ballroom, the lady was easy to spot. Her long silver tresses hung down the back of her voluminous, green cotton dress as she supervised a crowd of excited children playing musical chairs.
As Clifford hung back, Eleanor slid in next to the woman and joined in the clapping. ‘I think they might all sleep well tonight, don’t you?’
The woman turned to her. ‘Oh, m’lady, the children are having so much fun. And the parents, too. It’s a wonderful afternoon, thank you.’ She pulled a lace handkerchief from her pocket. ‘Oh that reminds me, I left the changing room nice and neat. Honestly, men think throwing something on the floor near the rubbish bin is being tidy. Tsk!’
‘So kind. And thank you for manning the door. Did you find any items which need to be returned to their owners, by any chance?’
‘Oh goodness, m’lady, has someone lost something?’
Only his life! Eleanor shook her head. ‘Not that I’m aware of, I just thought that it would be easier to pair any lost items with their owners now rather than later. I’m sorry it wasn’t perhaps the most glamorous of tasks, however.’
‘Chivvying a bunch of men is no different to chivvying children.’
‘Gracious, did you have to play the part of usher then? I thought they were all so keen.’
‘Too keen! That’s why the room needed a tidy and no mistake.’
Eleanor felt she had no choice but to be more direct. ‘Did you happen to notice if Mr Canning came to change?’
She rolled her eyes. ‘Canning? He did, and without wishing to be a negative Nancy, he was his usual grumpy self. Even Christmas isn’t enough to bring out any decent bones he might have in his body. I don’t know what’s wrong with that man.’
‘I hope he wasn’t rude to you.’
‘Oh, he knows better than to show me his lip, m’lady. He’s not too old to get a clip round the ear.’
‘He didn’t have an argument with any of the other men while he was changing?’
‘Not that I heard. Mind, he was one of the last to change, even though all he went on about was getting his free drink and food. Some folk will do anything to get what they think they’re due for nowt.’
‘Well, thank you so much and also for supervising the children.’
‘’Twas and is nothing, m’lady. And, honestly, it was nice to be a part of all the festivities. Oh, and thanks for sending someone to relieve me for a… a comfort break.’