The Country Club by Elizabeth Bromke

Author:Elizabeth Bromke [Bromke, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Elizabeth Bromke

Chapter 22—Meryl

Lucy had long since left, and it was just Delia and Meryl again. Awkwardly conjoined together in the house whose walls were beginning to shrink in on Meryl.

Before she left, Meryl and Delia had promised Lucy that if she wanted even just a temporary placement, one of the first-floor rooms was all hers. Meryl had explained, to Lucy’s sympathy, that her parents had passed, and that she’d inherited the place to do with what she wanted.

Lucy had acted a tad put-off, strangely, but Meryl wasn’t able to offer much more. After all, she truly didn’t know if she would keep the place or not. And with Lucy’s vague, ominous implication about getting 12 Mill River Road to ever sell, well, it was clear that Meryl would need at least the summer to make something of it.

The following Monday, they had scheduled a local gentleman to come out and help with some minor landscaping plans and a few little repairs.

But when Meryl made her way downstairs for coffee and a muffin, she found that Delia wasn’t alone.

With her, on the settee in the parlor, sat an unfamiliar woman, fully decked in makeup and a chintz pantsuit.

Delia’s head was in her hands, and her shoulders lifted and fell in staccato sobs. “Delia?” Meryl asked, confused.

“You must be Meryl.” The flashily-dressed woman rose and reached her hand out. “Nancy Shytle. Delia’s neighbor. And friend, of course.”

“Good to meet you, Nancy,” Meryl shook her hand then again asked, “Delia?” This time adding, “Are you all right?”

Delia peeked up miserably before dropping her head back into her hands. Nancy bent over at her waist, plucking a folded paper from the coffee table and then passing it to Meryl. “I just hate to come bearing this news, but the committee was going to mail it, and since I’m implicated herein, I knew it had to be me who delivered the news.”

Meryl frowned and took the paper, unfolding it and reading as Nancy bit her lower lip in a grimace. “And with that, I do need to be going. I have an important meeting. Oh, Deel, honey. Please call me soon. I hate being so out of touch with you. Katherine keeps asking after you, darling. Call me.” Nancy patted Delia’s shoulder awkwardly then looked at Meryl, her face breaking into something resembling a smile. “Happiest wishes for your homecoming, dear.”

“Homecoming?” Meryl glanced up from the page. “I’m not—I’m not from here. Just renovating.”

“And hosting strangers? Don’t be silly. Only true locals spend so much time in Gull’s Landing.” Delia winked at Meryl. “Homecoming, housewarming—anyway. If ever you’re in the country club, ask for Nancy and they’ll find me. I’d love to treat you to a drink and appetizers in the clubhouse. And that goes for you too, Delia,” Nancy chirped. “No more moping, sweetheart!” Nancy dropped her voice and her chin and looked up at Meryl from beneath thickly coated eyelashes. “Bryant sure isn’t moping, if you catch my drift.” She winked again and raised a hand to the door.

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