‘We’re not going to open it,’ said Thea firmly.

‘Why? Do you think it might be Pandora’s Box?’

‘I think that’s almost possible. I certainly think we’d be laying ourselves open to a charge of unlawful entry, or something of the sort, if we start ferreting inside people’s private possessions.’

But Jocelyn was unstoppable. She trotted over to the corner and lifted one end of the object. ‘Heavy!’ she announced. ‘Books, at a guess. Lots of big fat books.’

‘Or ledgers,’ said Thea, suddenly capturing an elusive thought. ‘Or record books. Or lost parish registers. Except they’re not lost, just turned to dust by silverfish or something.’

‘What records?’ Jocelyn finally decided to let it alone and turned towards the door. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘It’s a long story, and can’t have anything to do with anything. Come on, quick, before somebody finds us.’201

‘If this was the Famous Five, there’d be a man with a black beard waiting to grab us as we leave.’

Instead there was a middle-sized brown dog, slowly wagging its tail, ears perked in eager enquiry.

202

Chapter Fifteen

‘Hello!’ said Thea. ‘Haven’t I seen you somewhere before?’ The dog cocked its head, checking the words for something familiar. Thea knew instinctively that it was female, and ready to co-operate with any suggestion, however inconvenient. Basically Labrador, there was something of a bull terrier in the set of the shoulders.

‘Where’s its person?’ wondered Jocelyn.

‘Jess!’ came a man’s voice, answering the question.

The dog gave a muffled woof and set off towards the road. Man and beast coincided at the corner, where the small road branched off the high street. The man showed no signs of affection or relief, just a curt nod of approval at the instant obedience. The animal clearly knew better than to jump up or show any demonstrations of fidelity.

‘Your dog’s got the same name as my daughter,’ said Thea, having followed the dog. ‘Fancy that.’

‘I’ve seen you before,’ he said, with narrowed suspicious eyes.203

‘Yes. You were walking Jess on Saturday afternoon, near the business park.’

‘Business park? Oh, you mean the big house. Funny to hear you call it that.’ His tone implied that she had made a serious social gaffe.

‘It is, though, isn’t it? It’s got a lot of small businesses in the stables and whatnot. I saw the website.’

‘Got a business, then, have you? Looking to start something up here in Barnsley?’ His manner was every bit as unfriendly as it had been on Saturday. He looked as if a smile would cause him genuine pain.

‘Oh no. Not at all. I’m just staying a few days. This is my sister. We’ve been exploring. This barn’s unusual, isn’t it? I mean – there aren’t many left that haven’t been converted into houses.’

‘Not substantial enough. There are always people sniffing around it, talking about neglect and waste. None of their business, of course.’

‘Is it yours?’ Jocelyn asked him.

‘What? No, of course it’s not mine. What would I be doing with a barn?’