Rogue Wave by Jane Thornley

Author:Jane Thornley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: treasure hunt mystery, nova scotia, knitting, bermuda mystery, island actionadventure, seacoast mysteries
Publisher: Jane Thornley

Chapter 12

I reached the kitchen just as Mrs. Wyndridge was heading to her room, a cup of tea grasped in her fingers. “What happened to you?" She looked me up and down. "I waited until just 15 minutes past the hour but you were tardy, as usual,” she said. "You look as though disaster befell you."

“Sorry.” I had made some attempt to tidy myself but knew I wasn't much improved. “I had a little accident in the tower. A shelf toppled down on top of me. That place is like a train wreck. You should see it: piles moldering away, heaps of litter everywhere, and though Edna made a monumental effort to restore order, it’s a huge job. And a fire hazard,” I added, “It's both unhealthy and unsafe," I said, delivering a touch of righteous indignation in my tone.

She studied me for a moment before nodding. "I keep telling him the whole lot should be carted out and dealt with somewhere else. I left you a sandwich. Tuna. We don’t eat fancy these days. I’m just going to watch the telly for a while and maybe take a nap. I’ll leave you to it then. Mind that you work extra time to make up for your lateness.” She made for the door, her green cotton frock still wrapped by an apron.

“Is Mr. Wyndridge back yet?”

“No, he is not,” she scolded. “He probably wouldn't return until tomorrow. He's writing. Now, eat your lunch.”

In an instant, I was at her side, taking the cup out of her hand. “Here, let me just carry this to your room for you—your sweater too.” I lifted the green cardigan from over her arm.

"I don't need your help, Missy."

"That's what my Dad keeps saying." Presumably Susan Waverley had a father, too. "But we can all use a hand once in a while."

"How old is your father?"

"82."

"Well, I'm older than him by a few years, but have all my faculties and don't you forget it."

I thought of how Dad was losing his. It broke my heart, but I shoved those thoughts out of my mind along with the anxiety of not speaking with him this morning. He'd be so worried. Meanwhile, I helped her to her room, a spacious master suite with an uninhibited sea view, resolved to call him before I did anything more. Setting the teacup by her chair, I turned on the television at her direction.

“Is Bert around?” I asked before leaving.

“He is not. I sent him to town to fill my grocery list. He should be gone for most of the afternoon. You can thank me for that."

I smiled and shut the door, leaving her tuned into Coronation Street reruns.

Back in the kitchen, I scooped up the tuna sandwich from the plate, downed a full glass of water, and headed outside, letting the wind play with my hair. It took several attempts to fix a signal but finally I succeeded. The phone rang in my ear as I followed the path.

The garden

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