Berried Alive (Manor House Mystery) Read Online Free PDF

striding toward her.
    The thought scared her. She was beginning to depend on him. That wouldn't do at all. The problem was, she couldn't seem to help it. And that could only mean trouble for her, and eventually, maybe for Earl, too.

CHAPTER
    3
    When Polly arrived at the Manor House, Sadie had finished her chores and was in her room. The moment Sadie opened the door to Polly's knock, she grabbed the younger girl's arm and dragged her inside.
    "What's the matter with you?" Polly demanded, staring at the housemaid with wide eyes.
    Sadie's face was flushed with excitement. "You'll never guess who I saw," she said, as Polly flopped down on the narrow bed. "Right in front of my bloody eyes, he was. I couldn't believe it."
    "Cary Grant," Polly said promptly.
    Sadie dropped onto the only chair in the room. "Don't be daft. What would Cary Grant be doing in Sitting Marsh?"
    "Making a film, that's what." Polly wriggled her baretoes, enjoying the freedom of her new sandals. They had platform soles, with just two thin straps holding them on her feet. They weren't too comfortable, and made pedaling her bicycle a little dodgy, but she loved the look of them. She'd used up all her clothing coupons and waited two months for weather warm enough to wear them. It had been worth it. It made her feel like Betty Grable in
Moon Over Miami
.
    "Making a film? In this dump? Not bloody likely, is it." Sadie peered in the mirror. "Do you think my hair looks better tied back in bunches or around my face?"
    Polly stared at the other girl's reflection in the mirror. Sadie's hair was a shiny dark brown and too short to be worn in bunches. They stuck out from the sides of her head, and from the back she looked like the Pekingese Polly's Aunt Mathilda used to have.
    "Around your face," she told Sadie. "Makes you look more glamorous. Who did you see then?"
    "Guess!" Sadie spun around and hugged herself. "You'll never get it in a million years."
    "Well, tell me if he's a film star."
    "Nah, better than that."
    "King George, then."
    Sadie grinned. "You're getting warmer."
    Polly glared at her in frustration. "Why don't you just tell me."
    "All right." Sadie pulled in a deep breath. "I saw Winston Churchill. Right here on the coast road."
    Polly stared for a moment longer, then broke into peals of laughter. "Winnie? Here in Sitting Marsh? Did he have his bulldog with him?"
    "No, he didn't," Sadie said stiffly. "He was walking along the cliffs, staring down at the beach."
    "All by himself?" Polly giggled again. "What did you do? Ask him if he was lost?"
    "I said good morning. I was on my bicycle. Violet sent me out to the Miller's farm to get some rhubarb, and I was on my way back when I seen him."
    Polly shook her head. "Sadie, what would Winston Churchill be doing here when he's supposed to be in London fighting the war? It must have been someone what looked like him."
    "It was him, I tell you. I know it sounds strange, but I swear it was him."
    "Well, don't swear too hard or Violet will be after you." Polly got off the bed. "I came here to ask if you wanted to go down the pub with Marlene and me tonight."
    "All right. Don't believe it. But I know what I saw." Sadie peered in the mirror again. "What time are you going to the pub tonight, then?"
    "I don't know. About half past seven, I suppose. It only takes a few minutes to get there on our bicycles."
    Sadie got up from her chair. "You seen Sam lately?"
    "Not lately, no."
    "Is he going to be down the Arms?"
    Polly shrugged. "Don't think so. He hasn't been there since he smashed up his face in that accident. He don't like going out with all them scars on his face."
    "Silly bugger. He's the only one what worries about his face. No one else cares about it."
    Polly hurried to the door. The subject of Sam was still painful and she didn't like talking about it. "See you tonight, then." She started to close the door then poked her head around it. "You can bring Winnie if you like." She shut the door just before the box