Anna's Return by Sally Quilford

Author:Sally Quilford [Quilford, Sally]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Sally Quilford Pocket Novels
Published: 2013-10-22T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

On the morning that the Voronins defected, Teddy and Izzy had really gone to the seaside. It was a long trip from Surrey to the East Yorkshire coast, so most of the day had been spent travelling by train. They booked into the first bed and breakfast establishment they found, deciding to begin their search for Mrs. Palmer and Mr. Stephens on the following morning. They had no idea where Mrs. Palmer and her sister had set up their hotel, as Teddy had not heard from them since the day they left Silverton Hall. He only knew that it was definitely in Filey.

Teddy thought they might get lucky by asking the landlady of the place in which they stayed. “Do you happen to know of a bed and breakfast place run by two sisters?” he asked the landlady as they booked in. “Mrs. Palmer and … Oh what was the other one’s name? I know her first name was Elsie.”

The landlady, who introduced herself as Mrs. Green, sniffed. “Deciding to move on already, are you?” she said.

“Oh no,” said Izzy, hastily. “They’re old friends of ours and we just thought we might pop in.”

“Seems to me,” said Mrs. Green, “that if they’re old friends, you’d know where you are.” Her eyes narrowed. “Are you two married?”

“No,” said Izzy, firmly. “This is why we’re booking separate rooms.”

“Well, just be aware that we want no funny business. This is a respectable establishment. Door’s locked at nine pm, so make sure you return on time if you go out this evening. I don’t make allowances. Breakfast is at eight am on the dot, not a minute earlier not a minute later. If you miss it, you look like eating out. And don’t come down early because you’ll be in the way. No smoking in the bedrooms.”

“We don’t smoke,” said Teddy. “It’s bad for your health.”

“And no cooking in the bedrooms either,” Mrs. Green snapped, ignoring him.

It was a struggle for them not to giggle as they were shown to their rooms. “I’ve heard of prisons that were more welcoming than this,” Izzy muttered to Teddy as they climbed the stairs. After that, he dared not look at her, in case he burst out laughing.

After a good night’s sleep, they sat down to a rather insipid breakfast, which was lukewarm at best. The other guests in the dining room sat staring into space as they ate, it being clear that Mrs. Green did not tolerate noise or frivolity of any kind. One young couple had a job keeping their toddler quiet. Regardless of the tense atmosphere, the little girl insisted on having the time of her life. Other guests smiled indulgently, probably wishing they could join in, but with one eye on the door in case the harridan Mrs. Green should return.

“I’m surprised she’s still in business,” said Teddy.

“Maybe they’re like us,” said Izzy. “Came here direct from the train and have regretted it since. She probably won’t let anyone leave. We’ll all be trapped here forever, eating soggy bacon and not daring to make a noise.

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