Dirty Deeds in Downdene (Cleo Marjoribanks Murder Mysteries Book 2) by Barbara Bothwell

Author:Barbara Bothwell [Bothwell, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbara Bothwell
Published: 2012-07-24T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

What a good job I'm not like Paula with lots of appointments. The only things planned in my life are holidays and days in London. You know, shopping, theatre and concerts and I have to plan some of them trips around the concerts which are one-offs.

Why is it a good job I don't serve on committees? Because Eileen Browning phoned to invite me for lunch. Steaming David's clever, ain't he? Either that or a mind reader.

Of course I said I'd go. No way was I going to pass up an opportunity to find out what was happening to the Brownings.

I still can't get over the change in Eileen. She is so different to the downtrodden mouse I met in Spain. Iris has done a good job getting her to the hairdresser and buying some nicer clothes. Mind you, I do suspect that under the former submissiveness there was a fashionable lady waiting to get out.

"I love that outfit, Eileen." True. It was a clear blue skirt and waistcoat with a rose pink long sleeved blouse.

"Thank you." She smiled. "I couldn't resist it. I do love colour."

I shook my head, "Very different from the beige and brown you wore on holiday."

"Oh, don't. I've sent all of them to the charity shop. I never, ever want to wear those colours again. I bet when you met me you'd never have believed that I used to be quite stylish, would you?" I shook my head. "After lunch I'll show you some photos."

"I look forward to it." I did too. Why is that some men marry a perfectly nice woman who dresses well and with whom they can have intelligent conversations then turn them into dormice? Or perhaps I should say doormats.

Why ask myself that question? It was rhetoric. I know why they do it - because it makes them feel inadequate if their wife is smart and they are bullies. No prizes for guessing why I never married. Now I'm so independent there's absolutely no way I'm going to tie myself down. But, back to Eileen Browning.

"What did you do before you were married?"

"I was a secretary and training to be an estate agent. That's how I met Sid."

"And it went downhill from there?"

She nodded. "Be nice if we could see into the future."

"So what are you going to do now?"

"Once everything's sorted I'm selling up and going back to Essex. I have family there and I'm thinking of becoming an estate agent."

"Brilliant! What will Iris do? Go with you?"

"No, she's going to stay in Hampshire. It's a pity her baby's father won't get a divorce but, apparently, he's promised to support her and the baby."

So Iris hasn't told her mum about Barney. Going to be interesting watching that situation develop. I can picture the Ledwoods in a big house with a granny flat. Finish that thought for yourselves.

"So what you want now is for the police to find out who killed your husband."

She sighed. "Yes. It's taking an awfully long time.

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