A Dark Shadow Falls Read Online Free PDF Page B

football.
                  ‘I’ll make us a pot of tea,’ her mother called in from the kitchen.
                  ‘Great, that’s just what I need.’ Louise rested her head on a cushion and closed her eyes for a moment, reflecting on their busy day spent sightseeing in Edinburgh. She couldn’t imagine how her boys had so much energy left. Louise felt a hand gently squeeze her arm, opening her eyes again to see Joy Hutchison place a cup of tea on the table beside her daughter. ‘Thanks Mum.’
                  Joy gazed out at her grandsons tearing around the lawn, making no move to go and close the doors. ‘It’s rather mild today. Spring is definitely coming.’
                  Louise shifted herself up and lifted the cup to her lips. ‘Where’s Dad?’
                  ‘Your father is waiting in with Rita across the road. She’s having someone replace her locks today. He doesn’t think she should be left alone until the job’s been done.’
                  Louise turned her large brown eyes towards her mother, a look of concern on her attractive face. ‘It’s a bit of a worry, all these burglaries taking place on your estate - especially after what happened to Dad before.’
                  ‘That was another matter entirely. Richard Erskine is in prison now and he won’t be released during our lifetime.’ Joy gripped her mug resolutely, adding, ‘I’m more concerned that Bill will start trying to find out who is responsible for these break-ins. You know what your father’s like.’
                  Louise nodded sagely, she certainly did. Ever since her older brother had died at a tragically young age, her Dad had tried to get over it by fixing every injustice he came across. Sometimes, this one-man crusade could be downright dangerous.
                  Jamie Keene came dashing in from the garden, depositing a trail of muddy prints on the beige carpet. ‘Is tea ready yet?’
                  ‘Give us a chance!’ His mother laughed.
                  Joy sprang to her feet. ‘It’ll be ready in twenty minutes dear,’ she replied to the lad’s rapidly retreating form. ‘You sit there and finish your drink Louise. I’ll rustle something up for the boys.’
     
    *

    Bill Hutchison was home in time for dinner. He hung his jacket up in the hallway and went straight into the kitchen, where Joy was stirring a pot on the stove.               ‘Louise is upstairs bathing the boys. How is Rita?’
                  ‘Still a bit shaken, but relieved that the new locks are in. I helped her to get the place tidied up. That’s why I’m late.’ Bill lowered himself into a chair at the table. ‘They didn’t take much, just a few items of jewellery – along with the television set, of course.’
                  ‘It’s a shame Rita hadn’t still got that big heavy one. They’d have had a struggle shifting that beast out unnoticed.’
                  ‘Aye, these slim-line models are easy pickings. Rita knows it was lucky she was at her daughter’s house when it happened. There wasn’t actually too much damage done. Her photographs were all still in place – including the big one of Christopher. Imagine how upset she’d have been if it had got broken, or the print torn?’
                  ‘Goodness, I hadn’t thought of that.’ Joy turned around and looked at her husband.
                  ‘Thought of what?’ Louise breezed into the room, picking up the half full wine glass she’d left on the counter and taking a healthy swig.
                  ‘That the burglars may have damaged the photograph of Rita McCulloch’s grandson – the chap who was killed out in Afghanistan,’ Bill explained.
                  His daughter tutted loudly and shook her head. ‘How awful, to