Shortly after the death of Billy Weaver another ‘unknowing victim’ was approaching the station at Bath having taken all day to travel down from Dublin. As Patrick Reid stepped off the train he approached the conductor and said “Excuse me, but are there any cheap hotels around here?”
“Try the Bell and Dragon,” he answered in his well spoken accent. “They might take you in and it’s only down the road.”
“Thank you,” Patrick said in his distinguished accent. He picked up his very extravagant and large suitcase, and carried on down the road. He could see the Bell and Dragon’s neon sign flickering in the distance. It was getting ever closer until he was stopped dead in his tracks by the house with its printed sign that clearly displayed the words “BED AND BREAKFAST.” Patrick couldn’t resist looking into the property and, as he looked through the crystal clear windows, one of the first things he saw was an open fire burning and in front of the fire was the owner’s beloved pet dachshund curled up with his nose tucked into his belly.
The room itself seemed to be very well furnished; he noticed that the occupiers of the house paid particular attention to the grand piano. He thought to himself. “This looks cosy; I wonder how much it would cost?” He walked up the stairs leading to the door, as he stood on the doorstep he smartened himself up and firmly knocked. But, before he could put his hands down to his side the door was open.
