The Secrets Of Mead: An English Village Mystery by Michaela James

Author:Michaela James [James, Michaela]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LW Media Group
Published: 2019-06-06T22:00:00+00:00

42

Thames River Pub

“You sounded panicked on the phone. Are you and Dad okay?”

“Yes, sweetheart, we’re fine. I wanted to meet in person because, well, some stuff from the past has reared its ugly head.”

Michelle raised blond eyebrows. “What stuff?”

“Jude Ryland,” Sue replied.

“That was yonks ago. Has Dad not forgiven you yet?”

“Have you?” Sue enquired.

Michelle smiled. “I’ll admit it was a shock, but I’m sure it was for you too.”

“Except you were young and single. Not a married woman having some sort of bizarre midlife.”

“Mum, I think you’ve beaten yourself up enough over this. It’s ancient history. I can barely remember what the man looked like. Has our friend settled down yet? Last I heard, he was quite serious about a maternity nurse.”

Sue looked over her daughter’s shoulder towards the river. “Jude Ryland’s dead.”

“What?” Michelle exclaimed loud enough to draw attention from neighboring tables.

“I didn’t want to tell you over the phone,” Sue explained. “Your father would … well, you know.”

“You’ve had to show indifference towards his death,” Michelle said. “How … I mean was Jude ill?”

“No. Mead’s new detective believes he was murdered.”

“Murdered,” Michelle repeated in a whisper. “By whom?”

“No one knows,” Sue replied.

Straightening with the tablecloth edge, Michelle said, “I can’t believe it. I haven’t seen him in nine years, but I always imagined we’d meet again. He was a great guy. I was crazy in love with him for a short while.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Sue replied seriously.

“London, after the protective confines of Mead, was pretty scary,” Michelle admitted. “I’d been home for the weekend and bumped into Jude at Harrington train station. He was on his way to a seminar in Claridge’s. We shared a compartment and it, well it just felt so comfortable being around him.”

“You could have told me. I’d have understood the attraction.” Sue pulled a face. “Plus, you’d have saved your old mother severe humiliation.”

“He was a little bit of home if that makes sense. He understood my fears and insecurities regarding Uni. He mentioned some tough times at boarding school but was more of a listener than a talker.”

Seeing her mother reach for a tissue, Michelle added, “Sorry Mum. I’m preaching to the choir.”

Sue pressed fingers firmly beneath her eyes. “When I spoke with Jude, I felt my worries were the most important thing he’d ever heard. He seemed to tune everything else out and focus solely on me.”

“An eavesdropper would swear we were describing a player,” Michelle said over a chuckle. “Or in Dad’s speak, a smooth-talking lady’s man. I’ve interacted with enough men this last decade to know Jude was one of a kind. He was like an exclusive club you had to request admittance to. Some forced their way in, bypassed the background check and endless forms. But they never experienced the real value the club afforded worthy members.”

Slowly nodding her head, Sue said, “Detective Monroe stopped by the duck to ask some questions about Jude. I believe your Dad said little more than I’d seen the doctor regarding my joint issues and was fond of the man.

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