The Patrone Case_A Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery Novella by Diana Xarissa

Author:Diana Xarissa [Xarissa, Diana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-03-15T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Mr. and Mrs. Morris had left their room tidier than Janet had hoped. “They weren’t here for more than a few hours, of course,” she said to Joan as they remade the bed and cleaned the en-suite bathroom. “I’m sure we’ll have a lot more to do tomorrow.”

“Not if they stay out until the wee small hours of the morning,” Joan said unhappily.

“We’ve been very fortunate, really. Most of our guests have kept very reasonable hours while they’ve been staying here. I suppose we should expect guests to want to be able to have late nights once in a while. They are on holiday, after all.”

“If they want late nights, they’d be better off staying closer to Derby. There are pubs and clubs in Derby, after all. I’m not sure that our little pub will suit Mr. and Mrs. Morris.”

“If it’s even open when they get back from their day out,” Janet grinned. “I’ve never been there, but from what I’ve heard about the place, it’s only open when the landlord can be bothered to be open, which isn’t often.”

“Yes, I’ve heard the same. Michael and I were going to get a drink there one night after dinner, but it was shut. He told me that when his wife first died he used to have a drink there most nights, but the landlord usually closed around nine. Apparently he likes an early night.”

“It seems an odd way to run a business.”

“Michael didn’t think the landlord cared very much about having customers. He told me a few stories about the man and the pub, but I don’t know if any of them are true.”

“You can share them with me anyway,” Janet said eagerly.

“Maybe after I vacuum,” Joan replied before she switched on the machine.

Janet added water to the vase of flowers on the bedside table and then went into the other guest room to check that the flowers there were still fresh. After adding water to them, she headed down the stairs. With the vacuum running, it was probably best if she were somewhere she could hear if anyone knocked. Robert hadn’t said exactly when he was going to visit, and she’d hate to miss him.

When someone knocked a short while later, though, it wasn’t Robert at the door.

“Ah, good morning,” the tall and very slender man said. “I hope we aren’t too early. I’m Oscar Gorham. My wife, Jenny, and I are here for a two-night stay.”

“Welcome to Doveby House,” Janet told him. “Please, come in.”

“I’ll just get Jenny,” he replied. He turned and hurried back down the steps to the car park.

Janet dashed up the stairs to warn Joan, rushing back so that she was at the door when the man returned, escorting a petite brunette who appeared to be ten months pregnant.

She looked at Janet and laughed. “I know. I look as if I’m going to burst, don’t I? Believe it or not, I have another month to go, or so the doctors tell me. I’ve not even gained all that much weight.

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