Bunburry--Murder at the Magnolia Inn by Helena Marchmont

Author:Helena Marchmont [Helena Marchmont]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bastei Entertainment
Published: 2021-06-14T12:05:05+00:00

8. Liz and Marge

Liz and Marge were in The Drunken Horse, but not in their usual spot. Instead, they were sitting at the table nearest the door, Marge with her back to it.

She had a gin and tonic in front of her, arguing that the sun was always over the yardarm somewhere in the world, while Liz had a cappuccino. Even though Liz had added sugar and stirred it when it arrived and had now drunk around a third of the large cup, she picked up her teaspoon and began stirring the coffee again.

“Well, I don’t care what people are saying about Tim Davies,” said Marge in a surprisingly loud voice. “I don’t believe a word of it.”

The man who had just come in stopped in his tracks.

“What?” he said, his brows drawn together. “What are they saying about me?”

Marge started. “Goodness, Tim, you gave me a fright – I didn’t see you there. No, it’s nothing.”

“Go on,” he insisted. “Tell me.”

“Don’t listen to me. I was speaking out of turn. It’s nothing to worry about.”

“Marge.” His voice was harsh. “If people are saying something about me, I damn well want to know what it is.”

“Oh, goodness.” Marge was flustered. “Oh dear. I suppose you’d better sit down.”

He dragged over a chair from a neighbouring table, his bulk seeming threatening beside Marge’s birdlike frame.

“Let me get you a pint,” said Marge, waving an arm to get the barmaid’s attention. “Joanne! Pint over here for Tim, please, on my tab.”

Tim sat scowling in silence until the pint had been delivered. He took a swig, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and said: “Right. Now tell me.”

“It’s to do with your ex-wife,” said Liz.

“What?”

“Not the one who’s just left you, the one before that,” said Marge helpfully.

“You know she’s part-owner of the new hotel, Mrs Benson’s old place?”

“Of course I know,” he snapped. “She couldn’t wait to crow about it, wrote to me specially. Found herself a sugar daddy but it was supposed to be a big secret about who he was. Does she think I’m stupid? It’s obviously that scumbag McAlister.”

“Tim, dear,” said Liz. “That’s not a very nice way to talk about Alfie.”

“I forgot, you’re best buddies with him. So how long has he been having an affair with my wife?”

“Ex-wife,” said Marge softly.

“As far as I know, they met for the first time yesterday,” said Liz.

“As far as you know,” he jeered. “They’ve covered their tracks all right. So come on, what’s she been saying about me?”

“Oh no, dear, your ex hasn’t said a word. It’s just idle talk in the village, nothing to worry about, connecting you with the damage.”

“I haven’t a scooby what you’re talking about,” he said impatiently.

“There’s been some terrible damage to the hotel,” said Marge. “Apparently done at night when there was nobody on site. It’s been quite upsetting for the girls.”

Tim Davies laughed. “Good on whoever did it. I owe them a pint.”

“But that’s just it, dear,” said Liz. “People think you did it.

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