Halloween Murder by Leslie Meier

Author:Leslie Meier
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2018-06-18T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOUR

“Now, Abby,” said Lucy, looking the girl in the eyes, “it just so happens that I saw your father today, and he expressed his deep concern about the presence of Diana Ravenscroft in town. He’s very much against any sort of witchcraft, as I’m sure you know. There’s absolutely no way I can allow you to come here and do something that your father disapproves of, now, can I?”

“No, Mrs. Stone.” Abby was hanging her head.

“Maybe you should see a dermatologist instead of fooling around with a lot of mumbo jumbo,” suggested Lucy.

“That’s just it!” exclaimed the girl angrily. She raised her face, and Lucy saw that her chin was indeed spotted with a few pink bumps. But it was her eyes that caught her attention. Fiercely blue, they were tearing up. “I’ve begged and begged but my parents won’t let me see a doctor. They won’t even let me use anything on my face except soap and water!”

“Pimples are just part of being a teenager,” said Lucy. “You’ll outgrow them.”

“It’s like being cursed,” muttered Abby. “I feel like a leper having to go around like this.”

“I think you’re overreacting,” said Lucy. “They’re not that noticeable, really.”

“They’re disgusting,” exclaimed Abby, beginning to sob.

“Mom’s right,” said Sara, handing her a tissue. “You can hardly see them.”

“I hope I never get zits,” said Zoe, getting a sharp look from her mother. “And you have really pretty hair,” she added. “I wish Mom would let me grow my hair long like yours.”

“No, you don’t,” said Abby, dabbing her eyes. “I wish I could have short hair, too, but my parents won’t let me cut it. It’s a pain, having to brush it all the time. It gets all snarly and it hurts.”

“Well, pretty soon you’ll be old enough to leave home and do what you want,” said Lucy. “But in the meantime, you have to obey your parents. They’re giving you a home and they love you.”

“I know,” grumbled Abby. “It’s one of the Ten Commandments: Honor thy father and thy mother.”

“That’s right. And it’s getting late, almost dinnertime,” reminded Lucy. “Do you need a ride home?”

“No, I’ve got my bike,” said Abby.

Lucy led the way and they all trooped downstairs. At the kitchen door, Abby paused. “I’m really sorry about the smoke alarm,” she told Lucy.

“It’s okay,” said Lucy. “And you’re always welcome here, as long as you don’t do anything your parents would disapprove of.” As soon as Abby was out the door, Lucy turned on her daughters. “What were you thinking?” she demanded. “Practicing witchcraft! You were supposed to cook supper, not some magic spell!”

“Sorry, Mom,” muttered Sara, opening the refrigerator and pulling out the package of ground chicken.

While Sara emptied it into a bowl, Lucy poured herself a glass of chardonnay. “Set the table, Zoe,” she ordered, seating herself at the kitchen table.

Sara added egg and breadcrumbs and shaped the mixture into little balls, which she set on a baking sheet. Lucy watched, wondering how involved the girls had become with Diana Ravenscroft.

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