Last Pen Standing by Vivian Conroy

Author:Vivian Conroy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2019-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Because of the fine weather, high tea was served on the terrace, waitresses flitting to and fro between tables decked out with stylish, dark-red covers and silk napkins. Large, shiny, three-tier servers were placed on each table, filled with macarons, cakes, cupcakes, and sandwiches. Grapes dripped from the top layer while separate bowls held huckleberry jam and whipped cream. Tea flowed into cups from the porcelain teapots carefully handled by the waitresses.

“Those handles get hot,” Mrs. Cassidy whispered from half-behind Delta. She had just gotten back from taking pumpkin soup to an elderly friend when Delta had called her, and she had agreed at once to come out for the tea. “I’ll bring my knitting to feel even more like Miss Marple.”

As Mrs. Cassidy knew what Amanda White looked like, Delta let her take the lead and detect the object of their interest among the many ladies present at the tea. Some had persuaded their husbands to come, who looked decidedly uncomfortable. A few hid behind newspapers or worked on their phones, while others followed the waitresses around with their eyes. One man kept drumming his fingers on the table, suggesting it was already taking too long for his liking.

“There she is.” Mrs. Cassidy motioned discreetly to a table at the edge of the terrace close to a stone railing. The woman sitting alone was working on an embroidery ring, counting the stitches with her needle. Everything about her was immaculate: from her flawless makeup to her brushed-back brown hair.

Comparing her to the vivacious Vera, who had crashed the workshop, Delta understood immediately why Amanda had faded into the background as soon as Vera was near. Amanda was good-looking, but Vera had been striking. Amanda seemed pleasant enough, but Vera had been bubbly and engaging. Amanda could probably make good conversation, but Vera had wound people, especially men, around her little finger. Amanda had a lot going for her, but Vera had always had more. That must have been very frustrating.

While Delta hung back, observing, Mrs. Cassidy approached the target, holding her knitting bag up like a shield. Close enough to Amanda to be heard, she said, “What lovely roses. Do you mind me sitting with you?”

Without waiting for a reply, she pulled out the unoccupied white chair opposite Amanda and sat down with a sigh. “That’s better. I’ve been on my feet all morning. We had our harvest service at church. Everyone brings something to share. Pear pie, sweet potato brownies, walnut cake. I made pumpkin soup with corn bread. Took what was left to a friend who is stuck at home with a bad ankle. She twisted it while gardening. Not broken fortunately, just needs to rest up for a day or two. I pulled out a few weeds for her while I was there. She does hate her garden looking unruly. The weather is lovely, don’t you agree?”

She gestured to Delta, who had hovered nearby to allow her to break the ice. “My friend Delta Douglas.”

Delta hurried over to shake Amanda’s hand.

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