A Seaside Murder: A completely unputdownable and gripping cozy mystery (Sarah Vane Mysteries Book 2) by Alice Castle

Author:Alice Castle [Castle, Alice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2024-09-05T00:00:00+00:00

THIRTY-TWO

Sarah was contemplating the dregs of her tea with a rather sombre expression on her face when a voice broke into her musings.

‘I was going to ask you if you wanted another cup, but if it makes you feel as gloomy as you look, maybe you shouldn’t,’ Charles Diggory said with a chuckle.

‘Oh, it’s nothing. Just… thinking.’

‘You don’t want to do too much of that. Vastly overrated,’ he said with one of his twinkling smiles. ‘I’m surprised to find you on your tod. I never thought I’d manage to get you on your own.’

Sarah looked up into his blue eyes, a little taken aback. ‘I came with Daphne. She’s over there.’ She gestured in the direction of the crafters. Her friend had somehow got her hands on a ball of dayglo lime wool and was now wielding a crochet hook as though it was a cricket bat. ‘She’s been very upset, you can imagine. She was the one who found Mabel, and she’s taken it very hard. She was really fond of her. Hopefully a bit of crochet with the group will help her. Poor Jennie was here too, she’s just left. She’s at that stage… well, let’s just say it’s very difficult.’

Charles looked at Sarah sympathetically, and for a second his large warm hand came down on hers and pressed gently. ‘You’re so concerned with everyone else’s troubles. Maybe it’s time to spend some time thinking of yourself and what would be best for you?’

Sarah was silent for a moment. ‘Um. Well, I suppose that’s an idea.’

‘So… I was wondering.’ Charles cleared his throat. ‘Um, if you might like to⁠—’

Then there was a kerfuffle at the café entrance and Charles whipped his hand away as though it had been scorched by the fires of hell. A familiar figure was bearing down on them, her scarf knotted firmly under her chin.

‘I thought I’d find you here,’ Francesca Diggory said through gritted teeth. ‘Got shot of the grandchildren, did you, so you could carry on your dalliance?’

‘I surely don’t need to remind you that they’re with their mother today, enjoying the Whitsun break,’ Charles said, his voice weary.

‘Do sit down, Francesca. Would you like a tea? I could order one,’ said Sarah, at her most polite. The mayor raked her with laser beam eyes, totally ignored her offer, and carried on berating Charles.

‘Honestly, at such an important time for me, with the town reeling from these tragedies, the least you could do is stick by my side.’

‘Look, I’m sorry, Frankie,’ said Charles, his palms wide. ‘We really aren’t together any more and you know that. You didn’t want me anywhere near you, remember? I’m not sure what you expect of me at this point.’

‘Just ordinary, common human decency,’ Francesca hissed, and took a deep breath, to fuel her next diatribe. But then Daphne arrived back at the table, completely ignoring the looming mayor, and sat herself down with a flump. She still looked a little woebegone but was significantly less sniffly than she had been earlier.

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