Toni L.P. Kelner - Laura Fleming 07 - Mad as the Dickens by Toni L.P. Kelner

Author:Toni L.P. Kelner [Kelner, Toni L.P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery: Cozy - Christmas Play - North Carolina
ISBN: 9781625670465
Publisher: Jabberwocky Literary Agency
Published: 2001-10-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

I must have been looking as nonplussed by Tim’s reaction as I felt, because Mrs. Gamp appeared at my elbow and asked, “Are you all right, dear?”

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? Mrs. Harris says you shouldn’t be too careful when you’re in the family way.”

“She’s probably right.” Then, recognizing an opportunity, I said, “How are you doing? I mean, after the upset of finding Seth and all.”

She shook her head back and forth. “That poor man. It’s a terrible thing to be murdered to death that way. Mrs. Harris hasn’t been able to sleep a wink since it happened.”

“Bless her heart,” I said sympathetically, though I wondered if Mrs. Gamp had stayed awake with Mrs. Harris. She was looking a bit worn around the edges. “It must have been a shock for you. Somebody told me that y’all used to date.”

“Is that what they call it now?” Mrs. Gamp giggled. “We used to call it sex.”

I blinked, not sure if I’d heard that right.

“We were both lonely, don’t you know,” Mrs. Gamp said. “His wife had passed over, and Mr. Gamp was gone. So Seth and I had sex for a while, just to pass the time.”

“Oh.” It was an inadequate response, but I couldn’t imagine what would have been a better one.

“We eventually broke it off. Seth wanted people to think it was his idea, but I’m the one who wanted to stop. He wasn’t very nice.”

“Really?” I said, thinking I’d found somebody else who didn’t approve of Seth. “Most everybody I’ve spoken to liked him.”

“Oh, I don’t mean he wasn’t a nice man. I mean he wasn’t nice in bed. Not much of a lover.”

I gave up on words and just nodded a few times.

“Too much in a hurry, if you take my meaning. Not like my Mr. Gamp. He knew how to satisfy a woman.”

I nodded some more.

“How’s your husband?”

“I beg your pardon?” I squeaked.

“Sorry, dear, was I mumbling? Mrs. Harris says I’m always mincing up my words.” In a louder voice, she said, “How’s your husband? Is he enjoying working on the play?”

“Oh, yes, very much,” I said, happy to change the subject. “He’s always wanted to direct.”

“That’s nice. I do enjoy seeing you two together. So much in love. Just like Mr. Gamp and I were.” She sighed. “He’s been gone such a long time.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “Was he ill?”

“No, dear, and that’s a blessing. Mrs. Harris says being sick takes such a toll on a person’s health. Mr. Gamp was making a delivery on wet roads and lost control of the car.”

“I’m sorry,” I said again. “My parents died in a car crash, too.”

“It’s hard to lose somebody suddenly, don’t you think? Though at least it’s quick. Not like some of the poor souls I see at the hospital. Lingering for weeks or even days before passing on.”

“At least they get a chance to say good-bye to their families.”

“Yes, and that’s something I wish I could have had from my dear husband, but not if it meant he had to suffer.

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