Alice-Miranda Shines Bright 8 Read Online Free PDF Page A

down,’ Stan called out.
    â€˜I know where it is,’ the other man called back.
    Stan wondered what on earth he was talking about.
    The fellow ducked under the rose arbour that framed the pretty timber gate in the middle of the wall. He slapped Stan on the back and smiled. ‘Well, come on then, what are we waiting for?’
    â€˜Where in heaven’s name have you been?’ Stan asked. He led the man up the garden path and through the back door just as he’d done so many times before.
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    C onstable Derby’s police car came to a halt outside Mrs Parker’s bungalow. He had been as surprised as anyone to learn that Reginald Parker was missing. Surely the old fellow couldn’t have got too far.
    â€˜Hello Constable Derby,’ Alice-Miranda called from the veranda. ‘Mrs Parker’s inside.’
    â€˜Hello Alice-Miranda,’ he called back.
    Constable Derby trotted up the stairs and followed the girl into the house.
    â€˜Well, it’s about time,’ Myrtle growled as she looked up from the steaming cup of chamomile tea that Ambrosia Headlington-Bear had just made for her. Alice-Miranda and Millie had alerted Ambrosia to Mr Parker’s disappearance when they set off to look for him. She had immediately gone to see if Mrs Parker was all right. Together the women had searched the back garden and the shed and every room in the house without any luck at all. Nurse Raylene’s disappearance was just as perplexing. When the children returned without Mr Parker, Ambrosia called the police.
    The constable ignored Myrtle’s tone, sat down opposite her at the table and took out his notebook.
    â€˜Make yourself at home, constable.’ Myrtle turned and glared at Ambrosia, who was still standing near the kettle. ‘Well?’
    Ambrosia frowned, wondering what she’d done wrong now.
    â€˜Aren’t you going to offer the man a cup of tea?’ Mrs Parker sniped.
    â€˜Oh, of course. Would you like one?’ Ambrosia looked at Constable Derby.
    He shook his head and said a quiet, ‘No, thank you’.
    An uneasy silence shrouded the room.
    Constable Derby coughed and said, ‘Uh, Mrs Parker, when was the last time you saw Mr Parker?’
    The woman set the teacup down and tapped a forefinger to her lip. ‘Now, let me see. I had a very busy morning. I baked some shortbread to take over to the Fayle sisters tomorrow and then I did a load of washing. I gave my bedroom a thorough dusting and had a quick bite of lunch. Then I popped out to do some errands.’
    â€˜Did you see Mr Parker anytime this morning?’ the constable asked.
    â€˜I popped my head in the door and said hello before I made my breakfast,’ she said.
    â€˜But did you actually see him?’
    â€˜Of course I did.’ Myrtle took another sip of her tea. But the more she thought about it the less sure she was.
    â€˜Mrs Headlington-Bear, you mentioned on the telephone that Mr Parker’s nurse is missing too. Is that right?’
    Ambrosia nodded. She’d checked the woman’s room. There were still clothes in the wardrobe. And of course there was the abandoned knitting on the couch in the sitting room too. But Raylene’s toiletries bag was gone.
    â€˜It’s her,’ Myrtle sniffed. ‘She’s been filling his head with all sorts of ideas. I’ve heard her talking about the world and all the wonderful places she’s visited. She’s run off with him.’
    â€˜But Mrs Parker, do you really think that’s likely, given that your husband has been asleep for three years?’ the constable asked.
    â€˜He’s been in a coma, thank you very much,’ Myrtle said. ‘Reginald hasn’t just been taking a nap, you know.’
    â€˜Yes, of course, I didn’t mean to offend.’ The officer decided to change tack. ‘Do you remember the last time you saw Nurse Raylene?’
    â€˜I saw her this