Written in DUST by Mel A Rowe

Author:Mel A Rowe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Australian Rural Romance, contemporary, western romance, Rural Romance, small town love
Publisher: Mel A Rowe
Published: 2022-08-22T14:30:00+00:00

28

With his boots resting on the edge of the station’s old boardroom table, Marcus leaned back in the chair to watch the footy on the television resting on the fridge.

The front doors opened. It was Stewart, still in his white doctor’s coat, carrying his trusty flask of coffee.

‘Just what the doctor ordered: coffee.’ Marcus gave his mug a rinse and grabbed a spare, putting them on the table as Stewart came round the large reception desk.

‘How come you’re stuck on night shift?’

‘Porter’s doing something with Tess.’

‘So he’s finally scored that date with her?’

Marcus shrugged.

‘Why is Porter going to so much trouble for a date with our postmaster, Tess? She’s got great legs, but…’

‘Porter swears Tess is the one for him.’ How did Porter know?

‘Where’s Tanisha?’

‘Girl’s cocktail night or something.’ He knew it was at Wren and Felix’s place.

Man, he missed Wren.

He shouldn’t, and couldn’t explain it, but he did. She was invading his thoughts day and night, he’d given up on sleep to come in to work. ‘I did the rosters, so I’m not complaining.’ He was going to be here anyway.

The phone rang and Marcus scooped up the handle. ‘Elsie Creek Police.’

‘Oh, Marcus, is that you?’

‘Yes, Mrs Bingle.’

‘I’ve lost my milk and an entire tray of cookies. I’d just left them on the bench one minute, the next they’re gone.’

‘Cookies?’ Marcus watched Stewart pour the coffee. It’s rich caffeine aroma filling the room.

‘Yes, Anzac bickies. I thought for sure the dog ate them, but then I remembered he’s gone.’

‘Mrs Bingle, when is your sister coming over to stay?’

‘In a week, or is that two? I wrote the date somewhere …’ In the background drawers opened and closed. ‘Oh look, there’s my biscuits. I forgot I put them in the cupboard.’

‘That’s great news.’

‘So sorry to bother you. Perhaps I’ll get that nice Senior Constable Porter to collect them for everyone at the station. Do you think he could bring me some more milk? I’m going through it so fast these days.’

‘Sure, Mrs Bingle.’

‘Wonderful, have a good night, Marcus.’

‘Goodnight, Mrs Bingle.’ Marcus hung up the phone. ‘Stewart, are you treating Mrs Bingle?’

Stewart nodded. ‘She prefers my father. Got a crush on him. Is she getting worse?’

‘She’s calling about her food missing. But when we visit, we find it stashed in odd places. Porter is refusing to visit unless he’s got Tanisha with him, because that last time he went out he found Mrs Bingle walking down the road in sunglasses and hat, with no clothes on.’

‘I know, Porter called me. But, by the time I arrived, Mrs Bingle was lucid. She refused to visit the hospital for testing. Dad wasn’t in town, and she’ll only see him. But I do know her sister and niece will be arriving in a few days. I’m hoping to convince her to do some testing then. But she’s adamant food is missing.’

‘That we always end up finding. We’ve searched her house and property a dozen times and found nothing out of the ordinary. She’s lonely, right? Living in that house all alone?’ He’d hate that.

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.