Box Of Clues

Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea for Reverend Grand to go to the party as a burglar. It certainly made the rumours fly...

- Patsy Collins

Mike picked up the box from the rectory porch and took it through to the kitchen. He folded back the lid to reveal some old clothes. There was time for a quick look through before putting the box with the other donations; the party in the village hall didn’t start for another hour. The contents were exactly as expected.

Well, perhaps not exactly. He hadn’t expected the wrapped, but empty, whisky bottle and usually when people left things for church jumble sales, they washed them first. A shapeless black jacket was splattered with what Mike guessed was gravy. The other items seemed cleaner, although everything was shoved in, with no attempt to keep it crease-free. Still, Mike supposed they might help raise some money for the fund to repair the roof on his uncle’s church. He pulled out a frilly cap and matching apron, also a sailor’s white-front shirt and bell-bottomed trousers, as well as what looked like a WREN’s hat. Under these was a large, gold-sequinned dress and matching bag, then a striped T-shirt. Lastly, he discovered an old-fashioned black shirt with a piece of white material attached to the top, making it look like Uncle Jerry’s official garb, and a drawstring bag. “Fancy dress,” said Reverend Jerry Grand as he wandered into the room.

“That’s what I thought, too,” Mike agreed.

“Then why ever didn’t you say so before?”

“It’s only just arrived.” Reverend Grand looked at the clothing strewn across his kitchen table.

“Ah! Cross purposes. A lucky coincidence.”

“Coincidence?” Mike queried.

“Party tonight, just found out it’s fancy dress. Wasn’t paying attention, I suppose, when they said. Verger just asked what we’re wearing.”