Tom Slater was a cad. He kept his ear to the ground and cashed in on every opportunity. He was watching the comings and goings of a small local antiques shop in a small market town. He observed one lady was dithering about entering the premises, she reached for the handle then turned and walked away and then approach the shop again and eventually enter. He watched her disappear around the corner before hot-footing across the road and enter the shop. He picked up one of their cards and asked if his sister had just left. The proprietor looked a little taken aback but when Tom provided a description he relaxed and said she had a number of items she wished to sell. Tom thanked him and left. The proprietor scratched his head wondering if he had broken client confidentiality.

Tom caught up with the lady in the market square; she was purchasing some fruit from a stall. He ascertained from a greeting that her name was Miss Trumble. He waited till she was out of sight before asking someone where he might find her residence saying he was a distant cousin.

Later that morning Tom pulled into the drive of the Grange. Ringing the door bell he was greeted by Miss Trumble herself.

‘Good morning Miss Trumble. I believe you were expecting someone from Dobson’s Antiques,’ he said with a disarming smile.

‘Why yes but I was told nobody would be coming until next week.’

‘Slight change of plan,’ he produced the business card of the antique shop for reassurance.

‘Do come in,’ said Miss Trumble stepping aside for Tom to enter the hallway.

Tom was shown into a rather fine drawing room full of exquisite antiques. He cast his eye around the room and suddenly noticed a rare pair of miniatures hanging on the wall near the fireplace. Miss Trumble noticed his gaze and assured him they were not for sale. She hastily set upon a small table the items she wished to have valued for sale. Although interesting they were not what Tom was looking for.

‘I’ll cast my critical eye over them for you. Perhaps a cup of tea would be nice.’

‘Certainly I won’t be a minute.’

Tom moved over to the miniatures he was just about to remove one from the wall when a squeaky voice said, ‘I don’t think my sister will part with those.’

Tom spun round and facing him was a small dumpy lady with close cropped grey hair. Quickly gathering his composure he smiled ‘Good morning, Tom Slater.’ He put out a hand to shake.

‘Miss Maud Trumble. I expect you are here to value some of Grace’s antiques. Actually they belonged to father and she has no right to sell them but she is insisting on a Mediterranean cruise.’

‘Indeed,’ said Tom, ‘she said she would consider selling the miniatures for the right price.’ He removed his wallet and took out five, twenty pound notes. Maud’s eyes lit up. ‘Do you think this would be enough?’

‘I would think so,’ she said.

‘Good.’ He handed her the money and removed the miniatures from the wall. ‘Now I must dash, I have other clients to see.’ Tom was out of the front door without another word.

Grace entered the drawing room with a tray and was surprised to learn Mr Slater had already left.

‘Strange, he hasn’t given me an evaluation. What’s that in your hand?’

‘The nice man asked me to give you this for the miniatures,’ said Maud meekly realising from her sister’s face all was not well.