The Diary Of Pamela D.

'You're certainly irrepressible,' Mr. Pascoe commented with a smile. 'It's a good thing too. If it wasn't for you and little Jen right now, this place would have all the appeal of a mausoleum.'

Pamela shrugged, her sunny mood clouding over for a brief moment. 'Theo doesn't seem to like the way I'm acting these days. He practically bit my head off yesterday. And the day before.'

'Oh, that! Pay him no heed, girl, he's just very strung up right now. You have to keep in mind that he's responsible for the safety of everyone on this estate, which is something that he feels most keenly right now.'

'Yes, well, he needs to get out more,' Pamela said, thinking again of her coming trip to Hornsea, her mood improving at once.

When she wheeled the trolley into the front sitting-room at less that her usual dignified gait, Mrs. Dewhurst looked up at her and smiled. 'I never though the day would come when I would actually welcome the sound of the trolley clattering along! But do be careful my dear! Don't you dare chip my fine china.'

Pamela smiled as she served Mrs. Dewhurst and Theo, Chief Inspector Matthews, Fred and Anne Pascoe, and two young constables, a man and a fairly pretty woman who appeared to be in her mid-twenties, who looked up and smiled.

'I heard your concert at Easter. Wish I had a voice like yours.'

Pamela made a face. 'You can have it! I'm afraid that I was born with more voice than talent.'

Mrs. Dewhurst gave her a mock-stern look. 'Pamela's voice is so bad, in fact, that it's being issued on a brand-new CD next month.'

'Ugh,' Pamela said with a shudder, 'I don't even want to hear it. I mean, the recording will probably be okay, but it's what happened during the recording that I'd rather forget.'

'Pamela,' Anne said with an entreating smile, 'would you mind very much taking Jennie off my hands for a bit?' The reason for this was obvious: that they were trying to have an adult conversation, and while the little girl couldn't understand much of what was being said, she was nevertheless affected by the demeanor of the adults surrounding her.

Anne well knew that Pamela didn't need to be asked, that she would jump at the chance to play with Jennie for a while. But Theo said, without looking up from something that he was reading, 'Don't take her outside. Stay indoors, where I- where we know where you are.'

'I really don't think that'll be necessary right at the moment,' said Inspector Matthews. 'Constables Morris and Whitehead are at loose ends right now; they will accompany Pamela and the child into the back garden. Won't they?' he added, giving the two a look that sent them scurrying to their feet.