The Artist's Missing Muse (Miss Hayward & the Detective series Book 2) by Helen Goltz

Author:Helen Goltz [Goltz, Helen]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Atlas Productions
Published: 2021-08-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Lunch on Sunday after church was a tradition at the Hayward household that went back to when the boys were little and Mrs Hayward was still alive. Since her death many, many years ago, Mr Hayward’s sister, Audrey, stepped in to act as the family matriarch. They were close as siblings go, and while Mr Hayward might not tell her often, the female influence – even if it was just once a week and on special occasions – was appreciated amongst his largely male brood.

Of course, that was changing now, evident with a glance around the table. Amos’s wife Minnie was a gentle and compliant soul, but ambitious for Amos. Daniel had invited Miss Alice Doran again, given she was in the country with very few living relatives and was happy to attend church – a fact which won her Audrey’s approval. And while Thomas had not yet begun to attend church regularly – that might have to change should he marry Matilda – he rarely missed lunch. With the four ladies around the table, the numbers were beginning to even out. The only Hayward missing at today’s lunch was Elijah, who was on duty at the Brisbane hospital, a position he had secured since completing his studies at the Melbourne University and returning home.

Before sitting in his position as the other head of the table, Mr Hayward briefly appeared in the kitchen door to thank Cook. ‘You are most tolerant, Mary,’ Mr Hayward said. ‘Thank you for accommodating our extra guests and growing family.’

‘I like a large brood, Mr Hayward, you know that. And I appreciate when a meal is enjoyed. You need not be thanking me,’ she said, but her embarrassed smile said she was pleased he thought to compliment her.

‘You know Audrey will try to poach you again, and maybe Minne will try as well. I won’t be offended if you choose to go to a household with more prestige and opportunities for your skills and fewer Sunday interlopers,’ he said and sighed. ‘But it will devastate me.’

Cook laughed. ‘Yer need not worry about that, Mr Hayward. I have more than enough challenges keeping up the family’s favourites and soon, who knows, we might have a youngster or two to feed as well.’

Mr Hayward smiled and nodded. ‘I’m sure Audrey will remind Amos and Minnie that it is their duty to do so.’

He rolled his eyes, got another hearty laugh from Mary, and disappeared with a wave as he heard the laughs rising from the dining room.

‘Lunch will be served now, Mr Hayward, if that suits you?’ Harriet asked.

‘When you are good and ready, thank you, Harriet. Do let us know if you need a hand and I’ll put some of those children of mine to work.’

She smiled. ‘I have it under control. You go and enjoy seeing their faces around the table again.’ It was true that as the family was all now young adults, it was only once a week that the faces around the table numbered more than a few.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.