Die in the Wool by Katherine Hayton

Author:Katherine Hayton [Hayton, Katherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-26T22:00:00+00:00

“Thirty-two, buckle my shoe,” the caller—Rev Olivia Marshall—yelled to the room. After seeing her preside over Auntie Fran’s funeral in formal attire, it had been a shock for Tash to see the same woman dressed in a short corduroy skirt and a multicoloured jersey that would have made David Bain envious.

“These numbers are ridiculous,” Betty grumbled, setting aside her marker. “Whoever is making the card sets these days must be having a laugh.”

Carolyn wrinkled her nose. “I doubt a printing operation working on the cheap is overly concerned with how much you sink into housie each week.”

“She’s right though,” Patricia said, rubbing her eyes before checking the cards again. “It’s been so long since I had a win, I’ve forgotten what it feels like.”

“We had a lucky streak,” Carolyn explained to Tash. “It lasted from the seventh of November 1993 to the fourth of March 1994 and our team got a win every week during that time. Ever since then, it feels like we’ve been treading water.”

Tash glanced at the table from under her lashes. The statement sounded like an elaborate joke, but she couldn’t fathom the punchline. Whatever the truth, these women—smart, accomplished, and refined—seemed to put far too much energy into a game of complete chance.

“Sixty-five, old age pension.”

“Old,” Patricia snorted. “It’s about time the caller dropped the ageist repertoire.”

“And what would you have her say?” Carolyn asked with the beginning of a smile.

“Sixty-five, young and alive.”

“Lucky to be alive,” Betty corrected. “My Michael didn’t make it that far and nor did your Benjamin.”

“Car accidents and cancer don’t care about your age,” Patricia said with a sniff. “If they tried the same flippant phrases about the snowflake generation, there’d be protests across the front page.”

“You make it sound as though getting onto the front page of the Patiti Herald is an accomplishment.” Carolyn winked at Tash. “And you’ll head straight into an okay, Boomer if you’re not careful.”

“Hey, I’m Gen X,” Tash protested. “I don’t understand the millennials any more than you do.”

“Okay, Karen,” Betty said with a giggle. “And if you’re Gen X what are you still doing single? Shouldn’t you be on your second civil union by now?”

“I’ve never met the right man.”

“Maybe you should try the other side, then.” Betty grinned and turned all her attention away from the Rev. “Forty might seem young nowadays but your clock’s ticking so loudly I can hear it from halfway across town.”

“Betty!” Carolyn’s face registered horror but Tash burst into laughter before she could get a sterner reprimand out.

“I don’t care what my clock’s doing. My peace of mind is gliding along just fine, thank you very much.”

“Oh, really?” Aura appeared out of nowhere, putting her hand on the back of Tash’s chair and leaning down so her head was level. “I guess you haven’t told them about the attempted murder, then?”

“Shouldn’t you be playing somewhere else?” Tash said with a smile as the table gave a collective gasp. “Get thee to the cheap seats.”

“I needed a break,” Aura said, squatting down and pointing surreptitiously to her table.

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