Mystery in Prior's Ford by Evelyn Hood

Author:Evelyn Hood [ Evelyn Hood]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2011-08-31T16:00:00+00:00

NINETEEN

‘Kevin is the local drama club’s very talented director,’ Cynthia gushed. ‘We’re doing Oscar Wilde’s Importance of Being Earnest – a wonderful play! You must both come and see it in October.’

‘I love Oscar Wilde’s wit. I used to belong to a drama club,’ Laura said, ‘just small parts and backstage work, but I enjoyed it. Is there anything I can do to help?’

‘We’re in dire need of a props mistress, aren’t we, Kevin?’

‘I doubt if Laura would be interested in taking over such a mundane task, Elinor,’ Cynthia chided.

‘It’s not mundane at all; I’ve done that before and enjoyed it, so count me in.’

‘But won’t you have moved back to your main home by the end of October?’

‘We’re planning to stay on here until the end of October. We’re both in need of a few peaceful months, aren’t we, Allan?’ Laura turned to find that her husband, who had been by her side only a moment before, was no longer there.

‘Allan? Where did he go?’

‘He wandered off towards the bottom of the garden, where I keep my beehives,’ Gilbert said. ‘A fascinating hobby. He’ll no doubt be interested in hearing about the ins and outs of it.’

He set off in hot pursuit while Cynthia said, ‘It will be a thrill, Laura, to have you involved in our little thespian band. Won’t it, Kevin?’

‘Sorry – what?’

‘Haven’t you been listening? Laura’s going to be our props mistress for the new play, isn’t that kind of her? I have to warn you –’ Elinor turned back to Laura – ‘this play calls for a lot of props.’

‘I like a challenge. The furnishings in Thatcher’s Cottage are very basic at the moment and I love looking round charity shops and antique shops. With any luck I’ll find items that’ll come in useful for the play and then find a good home in our new cottage. Can I call on you in a few days’ time, Kevin? I’ll need to get a copy of the script and we should start discussing the sort of props you want as soon as possible.’

‘Er . . . yes of course.’ He stumbled slightly over the words, passing a hand over his balding head.

Glancing at him, Elinor saw that his eyes seemed glazed. ‘Is something wrong, dear?’

‘No. Yes. I should have brought my Panama hat; the sun’s a bit too strong.’

‘But it’s evening now and the sun’s lost all its strength for the day.’

‘Even so.’ Kevin began to move towards the house, saying over his shoulder, ‘I think I fancy a glass of iced water.’

‘Oh dear, I hope he’s not going to have one of his headaches,’ Elinor fretted.

‘Does he suffer from migraines?’

‘No, just headaches, but the way he behaves you’d think they were migraines. I have to go into the garden to cough when he’s having one of his heads, no matter what the weather’s like.’

‘Dear Kevin,’ Cynthia said fondly, ‘his artistic temperament troubles him at times.’

‘Was he an actor?’ Laura asked.

‘Amateur only,’ Elinor told her. ‘He was a journalist.

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