Death On Bingo Night by Nancy McGovern

Author:Nancy McGovern [McGovern, Nancy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: female detective, cosy mystery, Cozy Mystery, women sleuth, cosy mysteries, female sleuth
Publisher: McGovern Books
Published: 2017-10-18T05:00:00+00:00

*****

Chapter 7

Mrs Strathclyde’s Theories

“How delicious!” Mrs. Strathclyde raved. She nibbled along the edge of a small sandwich, rather like a goldfish at its feed. “I know that we only have bad memories of that Bingo night but, I must say, the one good memory I have is of your sandwiches. I tried to recreate them myself, but I’m not so sure I’ve done a good job.”

Mrs. Strathclyde lived in a large three-story tudor house right next to Claudia James’ house. Unlike Claudia’s sleek modern interiors, Mrs. Strathclyde’s house was filled to the brim with antiques and knick-knacks. Nora sat on one such antique now, feeling awkward.

“I’m sure they’re delicious,” Nora said, picking up a sandwich from the tray. She nibbled one, which was quite tasty, although Mrs. Strathclyde sighed and shook her head.

“I can’t quite get the taste right for the ham and cheese,” she said. “What was your magical secret ingredient?”

“Fig jam,” Nora whispered with a smile. “This is quite tasty, too, but if you add a thin layer of fig jam, it transforms the whole sandwich. I’ve found the sweetness melds with the tartness of the brie and the saltiness of the ham to create a unique flavor combination.”

“Fantastic!” Mrs. Strathclyde exclaimed.

They were both seated in plush armchairs in Mrs Strathclyde’s parlour, with a silver tray full of finger sandwiches between them. Mrs. Strathclyde had so far peppered Nora with questions about her past exploit, seeming almost excited to be sitting with her. When the conversation turned to Mrs. Hanes, Mrs. Strathclyde spoke sorrowfully.

“I feel like it has to be a dream, or a horrible prank of some kind,” she said. “Poor Anna! She was the nicest woman I’d ever met.”

“Was she?” That went against what the others had told Nora. Even in her own opinion, Anna Hanes could hardly be described as “nice”. Efficient, capable, a natural leader- perhaps. But nice?

“She was a friend to me as soon as I came back to town,” Mrs. Strathclyde said. “Milburn isn’t very friendly to outsiders, you know? And I’m an outsider, alright. It doesn’t matter that I grew up here. I was gone for forty years! The town had changed so much when I came back.”

“I can appreciate that,” Nora smiled. “I had some difficulties integrating after moving back from New York. Milburn doesn’t invite you in with open arms but, when it accepts you, there’s no town more friendly.”

“Well, I agree about the open arms bit, at least,” Mrs. Strathclyde said. “I don’t even know why I came back, really. Except that I had nowhere else to go. My children are both settled in London. My four husbands all left me an increasingly hefty bank account and an increasingly aching heart. I thought I’d live a peaceful life here with friends here in Milburn and now Anna is dead! I don’t think I’ll ever get over it. I’m even considering moving away.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Nora said.

“Well, you’re not here to listen to an old woman moan,” Mrs.

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