Here Today, Scone Tomorrow: A light-hearted culinary cozy murder mystery (Baker's Rise Mysteries Book One) by R. A. Hutchins

Author:R. A. Hutchins [Hutchins, R. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-10-01T16:00:00+00:00

20. Now stir in the sugar

The rest of the day passed thankfully without incident, as Flora had only one solitary customer in the tearoom, and rushed home at half past four to shower and change for her evening meal with the vicar and his wife. She had been considering cancelling all afternoon, but decided in the end that it was best just to get it over with. As she traipsed up the small path to the coach house, Flora was surprised to see a familiar figure waiting at her front door.

“Phil! This is a surprise!”

The man looked sheepish and uncomfortable. His left arm jutted out as Flora approached, “These are for you, to say sorry for being such a miserable oaf last night!”

Flora took the rather sad looking bunch of half-wilted carnations, trying to look as grateful as possible despite her sore feet and tired heart.

“Yep, sorry about the state of them,” Phil rushed on to fill the awkward silence, “they were the best Baker’s Rise Essential Supplies had to offer!”

Flora made a mental note to never buy flowers from the local grocery store, and responded to Reggie’s incessant flapping around Phil by unlocking the front door and letting the bird fly inside.

They hovered then on the doorstep, Flora aware that the clock was ticking down to her meal with the vicar.

“Look, I’m actual…”

“Sorry, you’re clear…”

They laughed uncomfortably as both began speaking as once.

“Sorry,” Phil said, “you’re clearly busy. Can I take you for a drink in the pub later?”

“I’m actually going to the vicarage for tea.”

“Really? Good luck with that one, rather you than me! Reverend Wright often comes to do assemblies at school and he could bore the hind legs off a donkey!”

“Oh no, really? Well perhaps I could text you afterwards? I’m planning to make my escape as soon as is polite! Then we could maybe meet at The Bun in the Oven if it’s not too late?”

“Sounds perfect. Sorry again,” and Phil walked off back down the driveway, raising his arm in a sad goodbye.

Flora rushed inside and slammed the door shut behind her with her foot. Reggie was hopping agitatedly from one foot to the other on the kitchen table.

“Stupid git!” he shouted in the direction of the front door.

“Reggie! That’s rude! Who taught you that? Don’t tell me… Harold. What do you have against Phil anyway?” Flora was troubled by the man. He was certainly attractive, but the parrot clearly didn’t like him, Phil himself kept running hot and cold, and she didn’t have the headspace right now to unravel it all. She put the limp floral offering into one of the cut crystal vases she had brought from her home in London and rushed to get washed and changed for the daunting meal ahead.

Flora pushed open the small garden gate at the bottom of the path which led up to the vicarage, feeling not a small amount of trepidation. The grass on either side was well tended, and small flowers adorned the edges of the worn paving slabs.

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