Trapped! by Hannah Dennison

Author:Hannah Dennison [Dennison, Hannah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hannah Dennison

Chapter Eight

Out in the foyer, I was disappointed to find Barbara collecting her coat from the cloakroom. She seemed surprisingly cheerful. There was no sign of Henry.

I was dismayed. ‘What happened? Aren’t you going up to his room?’

Barbara laughed. ‘Of course not. Never sleep with a man on a first date. You know The Rules, dear. He was most insistent, but I held firm. I’m sure we’ll see each other tomorrow.’

‘Shall we walk together,’ I suggested, thinking perhaps Henry had let something slip. ‘And you can tell me all about him.’

Barbara and I set off into the night. The air felt heavy and had that curious muffled stillness that came before snowfall.

Barbara was full of enthusiasm for her new man but when pressed for details as to what he did and where he lived, she couldn’t come up with an answer. All I heard was, ‘firm thighs’, ‘soft hands’ and ‘long fingers’ and how much she loved Old Spice aftershave.

‘Did he say anything about a dog?’ I asked.

Barbara thought for a moment. ‘Why?’

‘Years ago, Mr Sikes used to have an English bull terrier.’

Barbara shook her head. ‘Pity the dog is dead. The Bards could have used him in Oliver Twist and saved the money on advertising on Facebook’s call for casting. I don’t trust Phyliss Fairweather’s schnauzer for the role at all. He can be quite vicious.’

There was something odd going on. The coincidence was too hard to ignore. Oliver Twist? Bill Sikes and Bull’s Eye?

It was no good. Barbara had to go back to the Premier Inn and try harder.

We reached the corner of Castle Street where I planned on doubling-back to Leat Cottage and Barbara would continue home.

I thought for a moment. ‘Pity your Henry’s leaving tomorrow.’

Barbara’s face fell. ‘What?’ she cried. ‘When did he say that?’

‘In the nook,’ I lied.

‘Oh,’ Barbara said. ‘I don’t remember overhearing that part of the conversation.’

‘Well, he did.’ I gave an exaggerated sigh. ‘What a missed opportunity. And you would have made such a lovely couple.’

‘Oh,’ Barbara said again.

I leaned in and whispered, ‘Don’t you think that rules are made to be broken? You’re not getting any younger and it is Christmas after all … ’

Barbara bit her lip.

‘And he was clearly infatuated with you,’ I went on. ‘I keep thinking about that kiss under the mistletoe …’ I wished I didn’t, but I did.

‘Oh! Yes. Well.’ She hesitated. ‘You’re right. And if Henry is leaving town …’

‘I’m sure I don’t need to give you any tips,’ I said. ‘But as you always say, men love to talk about themselves, and you’d also help me out of a tight spot.’

Barbara frowned. ‘Tight spot?’

‘Pete wants Henry’s full name, age, home address and what his connection is to Mr Sikes,’ I said. ‘Your Henry didn’t want to tell me, but I bet he will tell you.’

‘For the newspaper, you say?’ Barbara’s frowned deepened and then she brightened. ‘You’re right. Life is too short.’

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.