An Easy Death for Some

By Patricia Bevin

Gina, in search of new employment opportunities, stumbles upon an intriguing job listing in her local newspaper. The role, based at Manor Lodge, promises a blend of housekeeping, office work, and childcare, and even offers accommodation for the right candidate. Owned by the successful and enigmatic couple, Gerald and Hilary Thomas, Manor Lodge seems like the ideal place for Gina to start afresh.

But is Gina truly the right fit for this seemingly perfect position? As she delves deeper into her new role, unsettling questions arise. Trust becomes a luxury she can’t afford, especially when she uncovers a disturbing pattern: people connected to Manor Lodge are mysteriously dying.

Caught in a web of secrets and lies, Gina must unravel the truth before it’s too late. Is she destined to be the next victim, or can she expose the dark underbelly of Manor Lodge in time to save herself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Feb 2, 2024
• ISBN: 9781398492530

Patricia Bevin

Patricia Bevin was born and raised in Northamptonshire where she still lives. She is married to Keith and has three grown up sons and two young grandsons. In 1977, she qualified as a state-registered nurse. Apart from breaks to have her children she has spent her working life in nursing homes where she was a registered manager for over thirty years until her retirement in 2021. She has always been an avid reader of crime novels. This is her fourth novel.

Book preview

Chapter One

It was five o’clock on a cold, dark, drizzly, Wednesday evening in January and Gina was sitting on the upstairs front seat of a double decker bus. The bus was full as it usually was at this time of the day.

She had just finished her shift at the Grand Hotel which was situated in the middle of the town of Detford. The hotel name was grander than the actual place. She was a housekeeper and part time receptionist and had worked there for the last five years. She quite enjoyed the combined roles but felt she wanted to do more than just clean rooms and book guests in and out.

She rubbed the steamed-up window as a light caught her eye. There was a large house standing back from the main road. Manor Lodge, said the sign on the side of one of the two pillars which were either side of black iron double gates. There was a light shining above the name sign. Gina didn’t personally know the family who lived there but they were an attractive and successful couple and had two children according to the newspapers. He was a cardiac surgeon, and she was something to do with fundraising for various charities. Manor Lodge was an imposing building and Gina could see a long drive leading from the gates up to the house. There were some sculptured bushes lining the lawns along the driveway. The house disappeared from Gina’s view as the bus rambled on.

She wondered what the house was like inside. Although the couple were sometimes pictured in the newspapers attending events there were never any pictures of the inside of their house.

Fifteen minutes later Gina got off at her bus stop and put her umbrella up against the drizzle. She turned towards her road and walked to her house where she lived with her parents and younger sister Kim. It was a three-bedroom semi-detached house on the outskirts of the town and Gina had lived there all her life.

She was twenty-five and had a fiancé Tony and they planned to move in together when they had saved enough for a deposit on a flat or house. He was an estate agent and lived with his parents as well. They had been together for four years and been engaged for two and hoped to marry in the next year or two.

She called out when she opened the front door. Her mother replied she was in the kitchen preparing tea.

Gina deposited her damp umbrella in the hall and shrugged her raincoat off. She was in her hotel uniform so called out she was going to get changed. She went upstairs to her bedroom, changed into jeans and a sweater and went down to the kitchen. Spaghetti Bolognaise, her mum said with a smile as she started browning the minced beef and onions in a frying pan. It smelt good.

Kim’s staying at Sue’s for tea. They’re working together on some history project. Her dad will bring her home a bit later.

Kim was sixteen and still at school. She wanted to be a vet and took her studies very seriously. Gina and Kim got on well together considering there was nine years between their ages.

Gina hadn’t known what she wanted to do when she left school at eighteen. She had toyed with the idea of nursing but hadn’t achieved enough qualifications for the training. She then thought about journalism but there were no vacancies. She worked in a solicitor’s office for a couple of years before he retired and closed the branch, then started at the Grand Hotel just while she was considering her options but had remained there ever since. She really needed to earn and save more money so would look seriously in the situations vacant in the local newspaper.

Her dad arrived home at six o’clock. He was an accountant at the local council. Tea was ready so the three of them sat down at the kitchen table.

I’m going to start looking for another job, Gina told them as she started eating. I need to start earning more money if Tony or I are never going to afford to get a place together.

What sort of job? asked her mum.

I’m not really sure but I will look in the free paper later, Gina replied.

There never many jobs around this small town, only similar to what you have done or are doing now, said her dad.

They finished eating and Gina helped her mum wash up. Her dad went into the lounge to switch the television on for the news.

Gina heard the letterbox. She went into the hall and picked up the free local newspaper from the floor.

She took it into the kitchen and sat down at the table.

She opened it up to the situations vacant. There were four adverts. One was for a mechanic; another for a teaching assistant and the third was for a chambermaid at the hotel where she already worked. The fourth advert made her sit up straight.

She read, A person is required to work for a family at Manor Lodge. Duties will include some housekeeping, simple office work and some childcare. There is accommodation available for the right person. Salary to be discussed at interview. There was a phone number.

She went into the lounge and read the advert out to her parents.

Phone up quickly, her mum suggested. It sounds very interesting.

Gina went back into the kitchen and rang the number. Her heart was beating fast, and her hands felt a bit damp.

The phone was answered quickly. It was a female voice, but she didn’t give a name just the telephone number.

Gina gave her own name and said she had seen the advert in the paper. I should be interested in finding out more please.

The lady said she had received quite a few calls and was arranging interviews for over the next couple of days. She asked Gina if she would be available on Friday at three o’clock.

Gina said she would and arranged to meet up on Friday. She would need to leave work a bit early but would tell her boss she had a dental appointment.

She went and told her parents about the interview. Her dad said he had met the lady of the house once. She called into the council one day. She appeared quite nice when I met her, but I don’t think I would want to get on the wrong side of her by all accounts. Ian in marketing described her as frosty with a temper.

Well, I will let you know after the interview, said Gina.

She rang Tony to tell him. They weren’t meeting up until Friday evening. I can let you know all about it then.

They discussed their day and planned what they were going to do over the weekend. Gina could drive but didn’t have a car, but Tony’s Toyota Avensis was his pride and joy. They spent a good hour talking before Gina put the phone down. She couldn’t wait to move in with Tony. She really loved him. They had been engaged for two years and she wore her sapphire engagement ring with pride. He mother preferred her to be married before they moved in together but weddings were expensive so it would probably not be for a year or two. Working in an estate agents meant Tony could suss out flats and houses before they actually were displayed for potential buyers. Hopefully within a year they should be able to afford a deposit.

Gina thought about the upcoming interview on Friday afternoon. She would need to take an outfit to change into at work. She looked in her wardrobe to decide what to wear. She had a nice blue and pink floral knee length dress and a navy denim jacket which would go well with it. Her navy ankle boots should be fine. She would wash her long blonde hair the night before. She couldn’t wait for Friday to come.

Kim arrived home at eight o’clock. She was a bubbly character and always looked on the brighter side of things. She was a very pretty girl a bit shorter than Gina but had long blonde hair like Gina’s.

She told her mum and dad about the history project she and her best friend Sue were working on. She had exams coming up soon and spent most evenings revising. Her ambition to become a vet was unchanging and she hoped her exam results would be good enough.

Gina told her about the Friday interview. It’s in the bag, said Kim with a laugh. Shall I write you a reference?

I don’t think that would be allowed. Her mum laughed.

You do need to have a good CV, said her dad, Jim. Let’s work on it tomorrow evening.

Gina said she would make a start on it and then tomorrow they could sit down and tidy it up.

She went upstairs and got her lap top out. She had an old CV from when she was interviewed at the hotel, but it needed updating now; she had been there for the past five years. She had experience of housekeeping and could list all that was involved, and she also had experience of computers, paperwork, invoicing and filing from her receptionist duties.

She thought about the advert. It mentioned some childcare duties. She wondered how old the children were. She could write on the CV about how she had babysat her younger sister on numerous occasions. She had also looked after her cousins two children occasionally, but she could elaborate a bit. She would ring her cousin Linda up tomorrow to ask if she could be a referee. That would look good. She supposed her current employer would give her the other reference. She had been a reliable employee so that shouldn’t be a problem.

She was feeling quite excited but nervous as well. She went to bed at ten thirty but couldn’t drop off to sleep as quickly as she normally did as her mind was full of forthcoming interview.

Chapter Two

Thursday evening Gina and her dad sat down to look at the CV. He read through what she had written. He suggested a couple of changes but said it looked good and he would give her the job. Gina laughed and asked if he was biased?

Of course, I am, he grinned.

Gina rang her cousin Linda who agreed to give her a reference.

On Friday morning Gina very carefully folded her dress and jacket in a holdall. She placed her boots in a bag and put them in under the clothes she would wear. She packed her makeup bag, a brush and comb. All was ready.

She was at work at nine o’clock. She told her boss that she had a dental appointment and would need to leave at two o’clock. She was told that was not a problem. He wished her well at the dentist which made Gina feel awful. She didn’t like to lie but it was a necessity.

She was on receptionist duties today. She did enjoy this part of the job rather than the housekeeping. It was a busy morning and time went by quickly which was good as she didn’t have a lot of time to feel nervous about the interview later.

At two o’clock Gina left the reception desk and got changed in the staff room. She shook out the dress and jacket and changed into them. She took off her work shoes and put her ankle boots on. She had a quick wash in the bathroom and applied her makeup with a discreet hand. She brushed her long blonde hair. She looked in the mirror. She was ready!

Her CV was in her handbag. She placed her uniform in the holdall. It was a shame she would need to take it with her, but it couldn’t be helped.

Her colleague Nadia said she hoped the dental appointment went well. She admired the dress and jacket and said how nice she looked. It’s wasted on the dentist! She laughed. Gina grinned but felt bad for fibbing.

She caught the two thirty bus which would take her to Manor Lodge. It was only three miles away and at two forty-five she was standing outside the black metal gates.

She wasn’t sure how the gates opened. Did she need to use an intercom? She peered at the keypad when the gates suddenly opened. A car was coming through them from down the drive.

The window was wound down. A man of about thirty was in the driver’s seat and he asked if she was there for an interview. He had dark hair and a small goatee beard. He wore an earring in both ears.

Gina replied that she was.

I shouldn’t bother if I were you. I think I’ve got the job. You might as well get off now, he said.

Gina wasn’t sure what to say. She was hugely disappointed.

The keypad sprang into life and a distorted voice said, Is this Gina Hope?

Gina bent towards the intercom and said it was.

Please make your way up the drive and I will meet you at the front door.

Gina looked at the car driver who shrugged and drove off. Gina went through the gates, and she heard them closing behind her. She walked up the drive admiring the sculptured bushes. She saw a bearded man, presumably the gardener, attending to one of them near the house. He was snipping away with some long shears. He looked up as Gina walked by. She smiled and said hello, but he didn’t respond but just looked at her.

She arrived at the front door which was closed. She was about to use the lion head door knocker when it suddenly opened.

A lady stood there. She was around forty and smartly dressed in a dark navy suit. She had blonde hair swept up into a French pleat from what Gina could make out. She had high heeled black court shoes on. She was heavily made up and wore pink glossy lipstick. Gina could smell her perfume which smelt expensive.

Gina Hope?

Yes, replied Gina.

Come in, follow me, the lady said firmly as she turned away. Her heels tapped on the shiny wooden hall floor. Gina entered and closed the door behind her.

It was a very impressive hallway. Straight ahead was a sweeping curved staircase. There was a leather settee on one side of the hall and a table with a very large lamp on it on the other side. The lamp was on as the hall was quite dark. Several doors leaded off from the hall.

Gina followed the lady who hadn’t introduced herself, but Gina assumed it was the lady of the house.

She followed her into a lounge. It was a very large room with three white leather settees arranged artfully. There was a magnificent fireplace with logs arranged in it as if waiting to be lit. There was a basket of identical logs on the left-hand side of the unlit fireplace and a companion set on the right side. The room was warm, so Gina assumed the central heating was on. There were several small tables near the settees and a large glass topped coffee table in the centre of the room. Gina could see several family photographs displayed on the walls. A couple of lamps were switched on.

Gina couldn’t see a television.

Sit down please. Gina was asked.

Gina carefully sat down on one of the white settees. Ahead of her she saw large patio doors that faced out towards the garden. The garden looked large and very formal.

The lady sat down on a settee which faced Gina’s.

I am Mrs Hilary Thomas, she introduced herself. Do you have your CV?

Gina took it out of her handbag. She walked over and handed it to her. She then returned to her settee.

Mrs Thomas looked at the CV. She read it without comment.

A few minutes later she looked up and asked Gina because she had replied to the advert.

I would like a change from hotel work. I have experience in housekeeping, office work and looking after children, Gina replied. How old are your children?

I have twins. A son and a daughter aged ten. I have already interviewed several people so what could you bring that would make me offer you the post rather than the others?

Gill took a deep breath and replied, I have experience in all that you are looking for. I learn quickly and I am happy to help out wherever else I may be needed. I like children and have a sister who I helped care for when she was younger as I am eight years older and have also babysat my cousin’s children. I also would be interested in living in which would no doubt be an advantage to you and your family as I understand you are a very busy couple.

We are indeed, said Mrs Thomas. We both lead very busy lives, so the children go to a private boarding school but return home on a Friday evening until Monday morning. My husband is a cardiac surgeon and I attend lots of charity functions some of which are at a weekend so having a live in person will be beneficial.

The man who came out of the gates when I arrived for the interview implied, he had got the position, said Gina.

Absolutely not, said Mrs Thomas sharply. He was not suitable at all. Would you like to see the accommodation which could be available for the right person?

She got up so Gina did the same. She followed her back into the hall and made their way up the stairs. There were several closed doors on the square landing, but they went past them. Gina could hear a vacuum cleaner being used. There was a small staircase at the end of the landing. Gina followed Mrs Thomas up the staircase. At the top was a door which opened into an open plan kitchen and lounge. It held a three-piece suit, a cabinet, a couple of small tables and a television. They went through the lounge and into a door at the other end. It led into a bedroom which had a double bed and an en suite.

This accommodation is available for the right applicant, Gina was informed. I see you are wearing an engagement ring so presumably you have a partner?

Yes. Tony is my fiancé. We are saving up to buy a place of our own, Gina replied.

So, you are only looking for temporary employment? Mrs Thomas said sharply.

No, I’m looking for permanent employment but temporary accommodation for a year or so before we move in together. We will be looking for something local so it wouldn’t affect working here if I got the job, said Gina.

That would actually work well because the twins will be boarding school full-time next year so we would not need a live in child carer when that happens. We would still need the housekeeping and office work side of the position so that can be nine to five, Mrs Thomas said.

If I was successful and moved in would my fiancé be allowed to visit me here? asked Gina.

Yes, visiting when you are not working would not be a problem but no overnight stays, was the reply.

Of course, said Gina.

They went back downstairs into the lounge. They sat back on the white settees. Gina wondered whether the children were allowed in here to sit on them. She assumed there must be another lounge as well as this one as this one was very formal. No television either!

Mrs Thomas said, We do employ other staff. There is Mrs Toby a full-time housekeeper and a girl called Marie who comes in twice a week to help her. There is a cook called Mrs Fife who works weekday afternoons only. There are two gardeners, one full-time called Barry and one part-time called Jake. There is also Edward who helps me with my office work three times a week.

That’s a lot of staff, said Gina in surprise.

You may be wondering about the position for which you are applying. We need someone to help out with all the different types of work here but having a ‘Girl or Man Friday’ would be very helpful to all the other staff. My husband has private patients that he sees here. He is in great demand. He has a consultation room in one of the rooms upstairs. His NHS appointments are carried out at the hospital.

I see, said Gina.

Would you accept the position if I offered it to you?

Yes. I would but I have to give four weeks’ notice where I currently work, replied Gina.

That’s annoying but can’t be helped I suppose, said Mrs Thomas. I think you would be suitable so if you do not have any other questions shall we say a starting date of four weeks from today? You can then move in.

Mrs Thomas stood up. Gina realised she hadn’t asked about the salary.

Mrs Thomas named a very generous salary. It was far more than what she earned at the hotel. Gina was very pleased as she and Tony could save up much more quickly than they could at the moment.

I would need to deduct a small charge for accommodation. She named a figure which was less than what she paid her parents at the moment.

Mrs Thomas showed Gina out. I will write to you with the job offer and also send off for your two references.

That’s fine, said Gina. Mrs Thomas closed the door.

Gina almost skipped down the driveway. She reached the gates but wasn’t sure how to get out.

She looked around to see if she could see the gardener, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Thankfully a car turned up and the gates automatically opened. It was a black Mercedes.

The car stopped as Gina made her way out. The car window opened and a very distinguished and handsome dark-haired man of around forty asked if she was one of the interviewees.

Yes, and I’ve been offered the post. She beamed.

Jolly good, the man replied. I’m Gerald Thomas.

I’m Gina Hope. Pleased to meet you, said Gina.

You are too. See you around, as he wound the window up and drove up the drive.

Gina went to the nearest bus stop. She couldn’t wait to tell Tony and her family!

She arrived home at four thirty and raced inside to tell her mother.

She was really pleased about the job but expressed dismay when she heard Gina would be moving out.

I’ve got to move out some time, said Gina.

I shall really miss you but at least you won’t be far away, replied her mum. She wanted to hear all about Hilary Thomas and what the house was like that.

Tony was equally delighted when she rang him. They were meeting up later, but she couldn’t wait until seven o’clock to tell him the news.

Her dad was happy for her, but Kim wasn’t. I shall miss you loads.

Tony collected Gina at seven. They decided to go out for a meal to celebrate her new job. They went to a Chinese restaurant which was a favourite of theirs but didn’t frequent too often as they were saving up. They enjoyed their meal and kept toasting each other. They planned a walk for the weekend. They often drove to the coast which was about thirty miles away and walked along the coastal paths. They would take a picnic and flask of coffee. The weather forecast was cold but dry.

Chapter Three

Four weeks later, on Saturday afternoon, Tony and Gina moved some of her belongings into Manor Lodge. She was planning to move in herself the next day ready to commence work on the Monday. Tony was very impressed as they drove through the gates which had opened automatically as they approached them. He parked by the front door and unloaded three suitcases from the boot. He whistled when he saw the black Mercedes. The door knocker was a gold-coloured lion’s head which made a very loud knock when Gina used it. The door was opened by Mr Thomas.

Welcome. He smiled. Nice to see you again. He grabbed one of the suitcases while Tony brought in the other two. Gina introduced Tony.

As they entered the hall two children appeared. They were both blonde and looked quite serious. They looked at Gina obviously weighing her up. She extended her hand to each of them, and they both shook it. What are your names? she asked them.

I’m Amelia, answered the girl and the boy said he was Richard.

Well, I’m very pleased to meet you both. My name is Gina, and this is Tony.

Are you going to be looking after us? asked Amelia.

Yes, I will be sometimes, said Gina with a smile. I’m sure we will have lots of fun together.

We go away to school in the week, said Richard.

So, I’ve been told, replied Gina. What sort of things do you like to do at the weekends? asked Tony.

We don’t have a lot of time to do things because we have homework to do, said Amelia.

Not all the time surely, said Gina.

Tony told them that he and Gina liked to go on walks and perhaps they could join them sometimes.

We will see if we have time after our homework, Richard said.

Come along, called Mr Thomas taking the suitcase up the stairs. Tony and Gina followed him with the children following behind them. Gina wondered if their mum was at home.

Tony was impressed with Gina’s accommodation.

Gina told Mr Thomas that she would move in tomorrow about six if that was alright. No problem, he answered as he placed the suitcase on the floor. Come on children, let’s leave them to put Gina’s things away. Come down for a cup of tea when you’ve finished. He herded the children out of the door.

Tony had a look around the flat. Very nice, he said as he bounced on the bed. Come here, you, and tried to grab Gina.

No, they might come back. Behave yourself. Gina grinned swatting his hands away. He was tall, good-looking with dark hair and chin stubble and Gina loved him dearly.

She started unpacking the first suitcase. Two suitcases held clothes and toiletries and the third held some photos and a few ornaments to put in the lounge to personalise it.

After half an hour the suitcases were empty.

Let’s go downstairs. Perhaps Mrs Thomas will be about so I can introduce you, said Gina.

They made their way downstairs. There was no one in the hall so Gina called out hello. A door opened and Richard came out. We are in the kitchen ready to make a cup of tea, he explained.

They followed Richard into the kitchen. Amelia was sitting at the island table. Mr or Mrs Thomas was not there. It was a very large and airy kitchen. There were lots of different utensils hanging up. Saucepans, spoons, knives, ladles and spatulas. The windowsill had an array of herbs growing in pots. Gina recalled that Mrs Thomas