Where Memories Are Made by Lynda Page Page A

‘I’m just glad we’ve got to the bottom of it, Mrs Evans. I hope you all recover soon and enjoy the rest of your holiday here with us.’
    The woman smiled. ‘Thanks, love. One thing is for sure: Marion won’t be getting any more eggs from Nelly Brown!’
    Mortally relieved that the situation was resolved, Jackie had arrived at the camp’s row of shops on her way back to the office when it struck her that she really ought to go and inform Chef Brown that his kitchen was no longer under suspicion. She might still catch him before he finished his shift.
    The staff entrance was still open so she knew Chef Brown was about. Bracing herself, she went inside. She found him in the process of locking up his office.
    Hearing footsteps clicking across the tiled floor, he spun his large body around to check who it was invading his kitchen at this time of night. Seeing it was Jackie, to her surprise, instead of clouding with anger his face filled with shame. As she reached him, he said, ‘Ah, Jackie love, before you say anything, I want to apologise for my behaviour towards you earlier. Of course, the first place that would be under suspicion when there’s an outbreak of food poisoning is the kitchen. I just took the accusation personally, that’s all, because I pride myself on running such a tight ship that nothing like this is allowed to happen. After you left and I’d calmed down, I felt terrible and wanted to come and apologise straight away. But I couldn’t get away and by now I thought you would have gone home. I was going to come and see you first thing in the morning. Please accept my apologies. What I should have done, instead of blowing my top, was told you to get the health people in to check the kitchen over and for them to clear it or condemn it, as no matter how diligent I am …’
    She interjected, ‘There’s no need for that, Chef Brown. I’ve found out where the contaminated food came from and it wasn’t your kitchen.’ Jackie told him about the suspect eggs.
    He looked relieved. ‘Well, to be honest, despite doing all I can to prevent anything like this happening, I was worried I’d let myself down somewhere, so I’m really pleased to hear that. I appreciate your coming to tell me. I’ll sleep well tonight. I expect you will too.’
    Jackie smiled at him. ‘I certainly will. Goodnight, Chef.’
    He responded accordingly before turning back to finish locking up his office for the night.

CHAPTER FIVE
    I t was well after eight-thirty by the time Jackie arrived in the office to collect her belongings before going home. She was most surprised to see Al still sitting behind his desk. ‘What are you doing here?’ she asked him. ‘Your mother must be worried out of her wits and your dinner will be shrivelled up with keeping hot for so long.’
    He told her, ‘Oh, I don’t live at home. I’ve got a room with an old lady in Skegness.’ He then added jocularly, ‘Believe me, the evening meal she cooks me always looks shrivelled up and is never hot, no matter whether I’m on time or not.’ He then very obviously changed the subject. ‘Mr Rose left as usual on the dot of five-thirty and I didn’t like to leave until you came back, just in case you needed me for any reason. I kept myself busy clearing up the filing.’
    Naturally inquisitive, Jackie had to stop herself from asking why Al didn’t live at home. One of the very valuable lessons she had learned from Rhonnie was that some people took offence at having their private lives queried. If there was information they wanted made public knowledge they would voluntarily impart it. To Jackie’s mind that was all well and good, but if they didn’t volunteer the information this only opened up a lot more questions, one being … what were they hiding? Come to think of it, Al had worked with her for over a week now