Murder in First Class: A completely unputdownable cozy murder mystery (A Miss Underhay Mystery Book 8) by Helena Dixon

Author:Helena Dixon [Dixon, Helena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781800195448
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2022-02-15T16:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

By mutual unspoken consent Matt and Kitty left Cairn House without telephoning for a taxi. Instead, they walked along the grey, gloomy street towards a small green park that they had passed on their journey to the home.

Kitty was relieved to be outside and away from the claustrophobic sterility of the home with its oppressive atmosphere. Matt was unusually silent as they walked, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. Visiting Cairn House had clearly affected him and she sensed he needed time before he could share his thoughts with her.

After a few minutes they reached the wrought-iron gates of the park entrance and stepped inside the green oasis away from the grimy London streets. Up ahead Kitty spied a rose garden and a small blue painted wrought-iron bandstand. The sounds of the city seemed muffled by the rustling of the leaves on the trees and birdsong.

Eventually they reached the bandstand and sat to rest on one of the wooden benches that were arranged on the gravel path that surrounded it. Kitty took a seat next to Matt and breathed in the welcome scent of the delicate pink roses that surrounded them.

Kitty could see that something was still clearly bothering Matt. ‘What’s wrong? You’ve been very quiet ever since we left Cairn House.’

He gave a small shake of his head, the corners of his mouth lifting in a grim smile. ‘I’m sorry, Kitty. It was just that place. It affected me in a way that I was not expecting. I was thinking about Edith and what might have become of her and Betty. If I had not met her when I did…’

Kitty reached across to take his hand in hers. Edith had been Matt’s first wife, who he had met when he had been injured during the war. She had been his nurse at the convalescent hospital. He had only recently confided in her that he had married Edith to save her from disgrace when she had discovered she was pregnant by a married fellow officer. Everyone had believed Betty to be Matt’s baby and he had never enlightened them.

Matt had adored his wife and baby Betty. Their uncertain courtship having bloomed into a deep affection, until their happiness at having found one another had been brutally snatched away in a bombing raid during the war. It had taken him a long time to recover from the loss.

Kitty could see that he was picturing Edith being forced to abandon Betty in just such a home if they had not met, fallen in love and married. The idea was sobering and she squeezed his fingers tenderly.

‘Edith and Betty were fortunate to have had you.’

He responded to her touch, returning the pressure on her hand. ‘I’m sorry, Kitty. It’s just sometimes it all comes back to me.’ He turned and smiled at her. ‘I wonder that you put up with me, old thing.’

Kitty smiled back at the familiar term of endearment. ‘Come on, while we are in the city, I should very much like to see Reverend Greenslade’s church and the scene of the robbery.

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