The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr

Author:Samuel Burr [Burr, Samuel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Published: 2024-04-09T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

—

Back at the Lancaster Court Hotel, Clayton felt oddly deflated, like all the air had gone from his balloon.

He’d placed the envelope Nancy had given him on his bed and was looking at it warily from the other side of the room while waiting for the tiny kettle to boil.

The kettle clicked off but he continued staring ahead, not moving from the spot.

In truth, it wasn’t just Pippa’s surprise gift from the grave that had sent him into a daze, but something, or someone else entirely.

He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Neil ever since he’d left him.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d met someone new, someone his own age, someone he seemed to genuinely get on with. But was he just imagining it?

Perhaps it was Pippa’s fault—the crossword’s fault—for making him believe he’d formed a bond, made a connection—an ally—when it was nothing more than a friendly, fleeting exchange with a stranger.

But isn’t that what Pippa always used to say?

All best friends were strangers once.

He thought, too, of his chat with Cilla on the bench earlier that day. The lady who was turning eighty tomorrow and had no one to celebrate with. The thought of it made his insides churn.

Realising the water in the kettle was beginning to cool, Clayton finally poured himself a tea, then moved towards the bed. He picked up the envelope, examining it under the unnaturally bright lights of his hotel room, before ripping it open with such force the tiny waxed seal disc flew to the other side of the room.

Clayton’s hands were shaking as they slipped inside and pulled out a slip of typewritten paper.

Dear Clayton,

Me again. Ready for part two? You’re flying now.

The key to this cryptogrid is simple. The questions get easier as you go. So perhaps try answering in reverse?

If you need a little geographic help, I’m sure there’s someone who would be happy to lend a hand, to help you unlock part three…

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, Clayton, it’s that you should never be afraid to ask for help.

With love, as ever.

Pip x

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