Death on the Pier by Jamie West

Author:Jamie West [West, Jamie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781739762223
Publisher: Brabinger Publishing

Chapter Thirteen

Bertie and Hugh arranged to meet Constance in the same tearoom that Jenny and Teddy had dined in on the evening of the murder. The name of the tearoom – which neither Jenny nor Teddy could remember – was Lilly’s. A small sign with a soft pink background and crisp black lettering hung from a wrought-iron bracket. It swung gently in the breeze.

The shop was simple and unassuming from the front. Bertie could well understand why it had been so forgettable. As they entered through the front door – accompanied by the tinkling of a small bell – he noticed that the inside was very clean and neatly kept. Crisp white tablecloths covered each of the square tables, which were set at angles from the walls. Well-worn bentwood chairs, although still looking very stable and sturdy, were placed around them. They selected one of the tables and took a seat. A small posy was displayed in a vase in the centre of the table top. Bertie was surprised to find that the flowers were real.

A young waitress emerged from the back of the shop to welcome them both. She carried a confused look on her face, as if she wasn’t expecting any customers today. That was understandable; They were the only two people in the place. Rather than the black-and-white uniform typical of the Nippies that you’d find in a Lyon’s Corner House, and the uniform that tea rooms around the country would try to emulate, she wore a neatly pressed shirt with white and green stripes; it seems somehow more appropriate for the seaside. Like every other waitress in the country, she wore the same standard white apron with a matching coronet cap.

Their order was taken. The waitress had taken great care to write it down neatly – even though it was just tea for three – before tucking the notepad into her apron and disappearing through a door at the back of the shop. She returned almost instantly with their drinks, placing them down in front of them. Bertie noticed that she made sure that the handles were facing the same direction – a nice touch. The pair of them nodded their thanks before she turned away.

‘One moment,’ said Hugh, before she could leave. ‘Were you working here last night?’

‘Working?’ she repeated. ‘Yeah, I was working.’

‘I’m Inspector Chapman from Scotland Yard,’ Hugh said. ‘This is Mr Carroll who’s helping me with my enquiries. I was wondering if you might have a moment to speak to us. Perhaps you could take a seat.’

The waitress took a moment, looking at the empty tables to her left, then to the empty tables on her right. ‘Well, I’m not exactly rushed off my feet, am I? I suppose I could spare a few moments.’ She pulled out a chair and sat, perched delicately on the edge of it.

‘What is your name?’ asked Hugh.

‘Dorothy. Dorothy Baker, if you want the whole thing. You can call me Dot, though. Most people do.’

‘Okay, Dot,’ continued Hugh.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.