Twenty
IA little later in the day yet another visitor found his way to 16 Blenheim Close. Detective-Sergeant William (Tom)Tiddler.
In reply to his sharp knock on the smart yellow painted door, it was opened to him by a girl of about fifteen. Shehad long straggly fair hair and was wearing tight black pants and an orange sweater.
“Miss Gladys Dixon live here?”
“You want Gladys? You’re unlucky. She isn’t here.”
“Where is she? Out for the evening?”
“No. She’s gone away. Bit of a holiday like.”
“Where’s she gone to?”
“That’s telling,” said the girl.
Tom Tiddler smiled at her in his most ingratiating manner. “May I come in? Is your mother at home?”
“Mum’s out at work. She won’t be in until half past seven. But she can’t tell you anymore than I can. Gladys hasgone off for a holiday.”
“Oh, I see. When did she go?”
“This morning. All of a sudden like. Said she’d got the chance of a free trip.”
“Perhaps you wouldn’t mind giving me her address.”
The fair-haired girl shook her head. “Haven’t got an address,” she said. “Gladys said she’d send us her address assoon as she knew where she was going to stay. As like as not she won’t though,” she added. “Last summer she went toNewquay and never sent us as much as a postcard. She’s slack that way and besides, she says, why do mothers have tobother all the time?”
“Did somebody stand her this holiday?”
“Must have,” said the girl. “She’s pretty hard up at the moment. Went to the sales last week.”
“And you’ve no idea at all who gave her this trip or—er—paid for her going there?”
The fair girl bristled¹ suddenly.
“Now don’t get any wrong ideas. Our Gladys isn’t that sort. She and her boyfriend may like to go to the same placefor holidays in August, but there’s nothing wrong about it. She pays for herself. So don’t you get ideas, mister.”
Tiddler said meekly² that he wouldn’t get ideas but he would like the address if Gladys Dixon should send apostcard.
He returned to the station with the result of his various inquiries³. From the studios, he had learnt that Gladys Dixonhad rung up that day and said she wouldn’t be able to come to work for about a week. He had also learned some otherthings.

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