The Bishop by Michelle Kidd

Author:Michelle Kidd [Kidd, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-01-24T22:00:00+00:00

The lamb had tasted just as good as the aroma had promised; with a sweet redcurrant sauce and rosemary butter, both Isabel and Mac had quickly devoured it. The day’s exertions in the fresh air had sharpened their appetites, and the empty dinner plates were quickly replaced with servings of homemade clootie dumpling with clotted cream.

Isabel patted her stomach and let out a contented sigh. “I don’t think I need to eat for a week now.”

Mac grinned. “I’ll remind you of that tomorrow when you’re tucking into your bacon and eggs.”

Isabel returned the grin. Margaret’s breakfasts were to die for. “How was Jack?” she asked, reaching for the cup of coffee Willie had brought over alongside the dessert.

Mac spooned another mound of clotted cream into his mouth. “He’s good. Busy, as usual. He’s on that Bishop murder investigation.”

Isabel nodded. They’d both seen the newspaper headlines at breakfast. Another serial killer on the loose; it made her shiver despite the warmth of the open fire next to them. Her own experiences of last summer were still all too fresh in her mind.

“He said to say hi to Willie. I think those two hit it off.” Mac scooped up the last of the clootie dumpling and finally pushed his bowl away. “Right, I’m done. I think you might have to carry me upstairs.”

Isabel waved her hands in front of her face. “No chance, sunshine!” She glanced up at the antique-style clock on the wall and saw it was approaching ten o’clock. Most of the guests had sloped off up to their rooms, with full bellies and sleepy eyes. Only a few stalwarts remained, nursing nightcaps before making the same journey. Willie had already closed the bar and turned down the lights, and was taking a few moments to bid his guests goodnight.

Isabel struggled to her feet, her calves still protesting at the sudden movement. She helped Mac with his crutches and they both stumbled their way towards the door that led up to the bedrooms. A subdued light was seeping out of the wall lights, casting a warm glow through the dimness of the slumbering bar. As Isabel approached the door, her eyes again flickered to the array of framed photographs pinned to the wall.

‘Old friends’ Willie had called them, proudly telling her that he could remember each and every name. Isabel’s tired eyes again raked over the happy, smiling faces, wondering for a moment if Jack had succumbed to having his picture taken with his host after one too many whiskies. Somehow Isabel couldn’t see Jack posing for such a photograph, no matter how much he had drunk, but she searched the faces just the same.

She inched closer and then froze; her blood turning to ice within her veins, despite the warming gins from earlier.

“Isabel?” Mac was holding the door open, keen to get upstairs to bed. His legs were throbbing.

But Isabel didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Her mouth felt dry, her throat constricted. Wide eyed, she stepped closer towards the photographs; and closer to one in particular.

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.