He also exchanged his shoes for strap sandals and removed his tie and unbuttoned his shirt and after inquiry went into the Bridge Stores where he purchased a straw hat of Italian manufacture. Then he returned to the Club and ordered an iced lemonade shandy which he drank through two straws; but before allowing the rather pretty waitress who brought it to depart he asked her: ‘Where do the Lidneys live, miss?’ ‘Oh, them,’ the waitress said. ‘They live up the cinder path.’ She nodded where it was. ‘How far up?’ Gently asked. ‘Oh, just past Speltons,’ the waitress said. ‘Marshways, that’s the name of the bungalow. I wouldn’t live up there if you paid me.’ ‘I’m not going to pay you,’ Gently said. ‘Well,’ the waitress said, ‘it’s a dump. Though I dare say it suits some people, probably you’ve heard about the Lidneys.’ ‘About Mrs Lidney,’ Gently said. ‘I don’t know I’m sure,’ the waitress said. ‘A man must be a drip to let his wife carry on like that.
