Tombland

Her husband answered. ‘Relatives, friends? You may as well know, Master Serjeant. My daughter was never normal, right from when she was a child. She did not like mixing with other people – she did not like other people. The trouble we had getting her even to play with other children, let alone attend social functions when she grew up, pretty girl though she was then. I hoped marriage might tame her, but she treated her own poor children badly, and probably Boleyn too.’ He laughed suddenly. ‘We were glad when John Boleyn showed an interest in her, for Anne Boleyn was on the rise then and we all hoped this could bring a link to the Royal Court. But John Boleyn had no real go in him, he was all at sea when he went to London and failed even to get to meet Anne Boleyn. As for Edith, she refused point-blank to go.’ His voice rose again. ‘And then Boleyn murdered her! Set up a damned common barmaid in her place! I shall see that bitch out on the road once this is over!’ His eyes were almost wild with rage. Glancing at his wife I saw fear in her eyes.

There was a moment’s silence, and then to my surprise I heard the faint sound of a woman’s scream from the back of the house. Jane Reynolds frowned. ‘What are those boys doing now?’ she asked.

To my surprise Reynolds gave a barking laugh. ‘Something with young Judith, by the sound of it.’

Jane left the room. A moment later I heard familiar mocking tones outside the room. ‘Fucking hell, Lockswood, not you again. You’d better not have come to trouble Granfer, you prick.’

Nicholas and I glanced at each other. Barnabas and Gerald, the twins.

‘What have you been doing in the kitchen?’ The steward spoke angrily.

‘Sticking our hands up young Judith’s skirts. But she started squealing.’

‘Your grandmother asked you to leave the maids alone.’

‘Mind your business, if you don’t want your cap knocked off.’ The scarred boy, Barnabas, swaggered into the doorway. He saw us and for a moment stood still, frowning, before recovering his bravado and calling out, ‘Hey, Gerry, the hunchback and the streak of piss are back.’ Gerald came in, and looked at us threateningly.

Reynolds turned to us. ‘You have met my grandsons?’

‘They were at their father’s house in London last week.’

‘Just sniffing about,’ Barnabas said.

Reynolds turned to us. ‘I am protecting my grandchildren, they are all I have left. When their father is dead, I shall apply for their wardship.’ He smiled with real affection at the twins. ‘Find a pair of rich wenches for you to marry, eh?’

‘Not yet, Granfer. We’re having too much fun to settle down.’

Reynolds looked at me. ‘By the way, in case your thoughts were tending in that direction, my grandsons have an alibi for the night my daughter was killed. Carousing with their friends, weren’t you, lads? All drinking at John Atkinson’s house, and they stayed the night there. A dozen witnesses. The coroner had that checked.’

Gerald flexed his broad shoulders. ‘Do you want us to throw these two and Lockswood out, Granfer? It’d be a pleasure.’

Reynolds looked at us. ‘I think it is time for you to go. Now, before I let them loose on you.’

Nicholas looked fiercely at the twins. Barnabas winked at him. I touched Nicholas on the arm and led him from the room. There was nothing more to be gained here. One of the twins called after us, ‘I hear there’s gypsies in town, Master Crookback. Take care they don’t steal you for their exhibition!’ Their grandfather guffawed. I thought, He had no grief for his daughter, none at all.

Outside Toby stood with the steward. Vowell was frowning, looking towards the kitchen door, from which a faint weeping could be heard. Jane Reynolds had gone.

He opened the door for us. Nicholas and Toby and I went out. To my surprise, Vowell accompanied us outside. He glanced quickly back into the house, then took my arm and said quietly, ‘You should know, sir, my master did not tell you the full story.’

‘What do you mean?’

His face twitched with anger. ‘There is evidence he could have given, but did not. I was with him nine years ago, and I know that a few months before she disappeared Edith Boleyn came here to seek aid from her father. John Boleyn wanted more children, but she would not lie with him. Boleyn tried to force her, and beat her. She wanted her father to intervene. But you have seen what sort of household this is. He refused, and sent her on her way, saying she must settle her own affairs with her husband.’

‘Why are you telling me this?’ I asked sharply.

‘Because I would have you know what sort of man Gawen Reynolds is, how what really troubles him is that he is unlikely to become mayor, after this scandal. And now the twins are here – well, soon I too may disappear.’

I nodded. ‘How did he damage his leg? Old as he is, I thought he might come at us, till I saw he was lame.’