It was only the first of the popular novels which she wrote and in her own way she became a celebrity. She knew neither Graham nor her mother would have approved, but although she missed Graham dreadfully, she felt she had become a person in her own right.
Chapter Ten
If anyone had been close to Derwent, it was Homer who had been a willing slave to Derwent's evil genius and no one knew more about the secrets close to Derwent's heart than Homer. He did miss Derwent, but he was practical enough to know that life must go on and Derwent would have been delighted to know that Homer intended to follow very closely in his footsteps. Homer was extremely pleased with the legacy which Derwent had left him and had plans to make good use of it. In fact it was of that he was thinking one day as he walked home from the supermarket, swinging his bag of shopping and whistling tunelessly. It was only a short time since Derwent had died and Homer was still living in the flat in Salisbury Square. This had all been arranged before Derwent had died. Derwent had left enough money for a small flat to be bought for Homer. Benjamin Carmichael's firm was to be dealing with the legal side of the purchase and Benjamin himself had tried to persuade Homer to move out very quickly, appearing to think that any flat would do for Homer, but Homer knew exactly what he wanted. The flat had to be in Acton near his only sister and he was most insistent that it had two bedrooms. He needed one to sleep in and another for his office. He wasn't having papers spread all over his living room or bedroom. Derwent had always been most particular about everything being kept in order and Homer intended to continue that way. He had already decided to have a lock on his office door, so that if anyone called unexpectedly there would be no chance of their seeing any of Homer's papers. He felt this was most important. Homer knew exactly the block of flats into which he wanted to move and he was willing to wait until one became available. He was just wondering how far Big Ben, as he called him, would try to push him if he didn't look like moving out soon.
As soon as Homer turned the corner he saw Ben's car outside the flats. Derwent had warned him that as executer Ben had the right to look at anything which Derwent had left. Ben had already visited the flat several times, assessing the value of the many expensive items which Derwent had collected over the years. Homer, who had once been a very successful burglar, crept up to the flat very quietly and opened the door noiselessly. From there he could see that the study door was ajar and that Ben was examining something in a file in the tall, metal filing cabinet. Homer controlled his surge of anger. That was his cabinet containing the best of the things that Derwent had left him and he resented Big Ben pawing over its contents. Homer's eyes met Ben's as he advanced into the flat.
“Just checking over some more things, Homer,” said Ben pleasantly.
“Fine,” replied Homer. “I've just bin doin' a bit o'shoppin' – got to eat, y'know.”
“Of course,” agreed Ben. “You're all right for funds, are you? Wouldn't want you going short of anything.”
“Oh, I'm all right, guv'nor and I'm still on the lookout for a suitable flat.”
“Well, I don't wan to rush you, but I would like to get everything settled up.”
I bet you would, thought Homer. I bloody bet you would. I know your game. I wonder if you know that I know what's going to happen to the flat. “Somebody anxious to move in, is there?” Homer couldn't resist asking, but Ben was too smart a customer to be caught unawares.
“Yes, we've got someone interested.”
“I 'ope whoever it is will be a kind, lovin' owner.” Homer laughed and in a rather forced way Ben echoed it.
“You'll let me know then when you find something.”
“Sure will, pardner.” Ben's lips tightened slightly at Homer's tone, but he said nothing.
Ten minutes later Homer was sitting in the kitchen eating his lunch and thinking about Ben going through the contents of the filing cabinet. How much had he seen? The cabinet had been left to Homer, so surely Ben wouldn't try to claim it. On