Shadows in the Valley by Elizabeth Haran

Author:Elizabeth Haran
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bastei Entertainment
Published: 2018-05-03T08:21:48+00:00

CHAPTER 16

As soon as the carriage pulled up outside the house, Abbey and Father Quinlan heard angry shouts from within. They recognised Sybil’s and Sabu’s voices.

Abbey was immediately alarmed. “Something must have happened,” she said, wide-eyed.

“It won’t necessarily be anything serious,” Father Quinlan assured her. “Sabu and Mrs. Hawker fight all the time, usually over a minor difference of opinion. It’s an integral part of their relationship, so don’t let it worry you.”

“Couldn’t you counsel them about how to get along without having such loud disagreements?” Abbey asked in all seriousness. She’d never heard anything like it.

To her amazement, Father Quinlan laughed as if the idea were totally preposterous. “I’ve offered more than once, but they both ardently blame the other for the problem between them. Mrs. Hawker says Sabu believes his way is the only way, and Sabu says she picks on every little thing he does. To a certain extent, they’re both right, so what do you do?”

“They sound like they’re about to kill each other,” Abbey said, listening to the shouting as it grew louder.

“I’ve come to accept that it’s all noise, Abbey. Honestly, don’t let it upset you.”

Abbey thought that was easy for him to say. He didn’t live in the house with them. “Thank you for coming with me today, Father,” she said, getting out of the buggy. “Having you with me was a great comfort, and I intend to take your advice.”

“Good. Any time you want to talk, you know where I am.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Father.”

“I’ll take the buggy back to the stables, and then I’d better go and see how Jack and the others are doing digging the bores,” the priest said. “I’m sure they’ll welcome an extra pair of hands.”

Abbey went inside, where the shouting was louder than ever. As she went down the hallway, towards the kitchen, she heard the ham mentioned, and her eyes widened. Obviously, Sybil had discovered it was gone. She wondered if Sabu had told her what he’d done with it and whether that had caused the row.

“How many times do I have to tell you that there is no ham left?” Sabu shouted angrily. “Are you calling me a liar?”

“I know there was plenty of ham left, Sabu. So, I want to know what happened to it. Now tell me the truth.”

Abbey groaned. Sabu hadn’t told the truth, and it didn’t sound like he was going to.

“I’ll make egg sandwiches,” Sabu suggested evasively. “There is nothing wrong with egg sandwiches.”

“I don’t want you to make egg sandwiches. I want ham sandwiches.”

Sabu threw a wooden spoon across the kitchen, enrageing Sybil further. She was about to retaliate, picking up the sugar bowl to throw, when Abbey appeared at the doorway, surprising them both.

“Abbey! How much ham was left after you made dinner the other night?” Sybil demanded to know, while Sabu threw his arms in the air in frustration.

Abbey looked at her blankly. “I don’t really remember,” she said, untruthfully. A mental picture of the ham being thrown across the back garden by Sabu flashed through her mind.

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