Miller's End: Norfolk Cozy Mysteries - Book 4 by Keith Finney

Author:Keith Finney [Finney, Keith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Keith Finney
Published: 2020-06-29T16:00:00+00:00

"I'm so sorry, Jennifer. I know losing Burt has been the most awful shock for you, but I just wanted to bring you a card from all the staff back at the Hall."

The pale-looking widow opened the front door wide so that Ant could pass into the interior of the house. Ant couldn't help but think it looked as though Burt had left for work a few minutes previously. On the hall stand hung a coat Ant had seen Burt wearing many times. On a sideboard, a bunch of keys lay waiting for their master in a brightly decorated ceramic dish. Most difficult of all to make sense of was Burt's packed lunch, still sitting from where he had forgotten to pick it up on Saturday morning. Ant made no comment as he passed through the small space and into the kitchen.

"I know how hard this must be for you. We all miss Burt terribly, but I want you to know that we are all here for you. If there is anything you need, anything at all, just ask."

Ant knew his words would cause Jennifer to break down. That had not been his intention but he was determined to let the widow know that people cared deeply for her and her daughter.

"Everyone's been so kind. It's hard, but I remember when you lost your brother. You were so brave. Well, for my Sophie's sake, I need to be brave now."

Her words took the wind out of his sails. Ant hadn't expected for a second that amid her own grief, she would be thinking of others. He resisted the temptation to dwell on the memories Jennifer had placed in his head. Now was the time to think about the daughter, and her: no one else.

The second thing he hadn't been prepared for was the extent to which Jennifer wanted to speak about Burt. Never one for many words, a torrent of memories now flowed. Some of these Ant could share from Burt and his time growing up in the village. Others bordered on private matters between man and wife. Still, the memories came. Then as quickly as Jennifer had opened up, she now shut down, and the tears came.

Go on, Jennifer, let it out.

Never useful in such situations, this time Ant felt strangely more at ease. He took it as a sign of his long friendship with Burt and the memories his wife had been brave enough to share.

"Can I get you anything, Jenn?" It was a long time since he had shortened her name and regretted it as soon as he spoke the word, worrying that she might think him overfamiliar. He needn't have worried; if anything, that very familiarity seemed to calm Jennifer down.

"You know, Anthony, I made him go to the doctors, and he did... eventually. But he wouldn't tell me what was said. I've been so worried for him, and now look what has happened."

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