Tall Poppies by Janet Woods

inform him.’
    â€˜Is there anything I can do?’
    He nodded. ‘Perhaps you’d like to lay her out.’
    â€˜I’ve never done that before.’
    â€˜Wash the body, tidy her hair and dress her in a clean nightgown so she looks clean and cared for. She will need fresh bedding, I imagine. You’ll require someone to help you.’
    Livia felt relief at the thought. ‘Florence will help, I expect.’
    â€˜Good, because despite her lack of refinement, Florence is a sensible young woman who has done it before.’
    â€˜I’ll go down and tell her what’s happened,’ Livia said.
    â€˜Good girl. Would you send in the housekeeper? I’ll get that phone number from her and make out the death certificate.’
    â€˜Mrs Sangster was a nice woman. I liked her a lot. She looks so relaxed now, and younger.’
    â€˜It’s because she’s no longer in pain. She liked you too, young lady.’
    There was a knock at the door and Rosemary Mortimer came in. Her glance went to the bed and her hand fluttered to her heart. ‘Oh  . . . my goodness. I didn’t realize she was quite so ill. Is she  . . . is she  . . .?’
    It was apparent she’d been listening through the keyhole, and the doctor and Livia exchanged a glance. Dr Elliot told her ‘Mrs Sangster has passed away. I understand you have Major Sangster’s telephone number.’
    â€˜I’ve already contacted him, Doctor. The major will soon be on his way down.’
    The physician looked displeased. ‘I’m surprised you took it upon yourself to do that, considering you were unaware of her condition.’
    â€˜The major asked me to keep him informed of any developments.’
    â€˜And now must be contacted again to be told his wife has passed away. The protocol in such situations is for the attending physician to inform the next of kin.’
    She nodded. ‘I was only trying to help, and you should have told me earlier. Did Mrs Sangster say anything?’
    He raised an eyebrow. ‘Specifically?’
    She became vague. ‘Oh nothing. Sometimes people tend to offer little confidences to their doctors when they die.’
    â€˜Do they  . . . do they indeed? I must admit I’ve never met a doctor who was unprofessional enough to pass any little confidences on to the housekeeper. I would suggest you keep your curiosity under control, Mrs Mortimer. Now, would you be good enough to give me the major’s telephone number.’
    â€˜He’ll already be on his way, I expect.’
    â€˜The number?’
    â€˜In the index next to the telephone in the hall,’ she said sulkily.
    â€˜Are you staying to help Miss Carr lay out Mrs Sangster’s body?’
    Mrs Mortimer shuddered. ‘Me  . . . good gracious  . . . the very idea turns my stomach. Besides, I heard you say that Florence can do that.’
    â€˜Then your presence isn’t needed. Perhaps you could ask Florence to come up and help Miss Carr. It will save her having to go down.’
    Thus dismissed, Mrs Mortimer said, ‘Report to me when you’ve finished, Carr.’ She gave the doctor a haughty look and walked off.
    The doctor turned to Livia. ‘I’m going downstairs to use the telephone, then I’ll finish my rounds. I’ll be back as soon as I can. By that time Major Sangster should be home, and he can make arrangements for the funeral.’
    When she nodded, he gazed at her for a moment. ‘Will you be all right, left alone here for a while? There might be the occasional noise and movement from Mrs Sangster until her body settles down. That’s normal, and nothing to be afraid of.’
    â€˜Yes, I’ll be all right. I’m not afraid of Mrs Sangster. She was a lovely lady who wouldn’t hurt a fly. I’m going to miss her.’
    â€˜Good girl.’
    After the doctor had gone, Livia