Murder Out of Tune - A Libby Sarjeant Murder Mystery Read Online Free PDF Page B

village in the snow.’
    ‘Oh, Cass knows all about Harry and Pete and the caff. She’s been here before, but not for years. Must have been not long after her husband died.’
    ‘Before I knew you?’ asked Fran.
    ‘Oh, yes, and before Ben and I were together. She’s met Ben, because we’ve been up to see her a few times, when we’ve been to London to see Bel and Dom.’
    ‘Bel and Dom?’ repeated Patti.
    ‘My other two kids,’ explained Libby. ‘Belinda and Dominic. Didn’t you meet them last Christmas?’
    Patti shook her head and finished her sandwich. ‘Come on, eat up. You’re in a hurry.’
    Fran went to the counter to pay for their lunch and Libby shrugged herself into her coat.
    ‘Sorry that was a bit cut short, Patti. I’d invite you over to meet Cass, but you’re bound to have a wedding or something on Saturday and services on Sunday.’
    ‘You’re welcome to bring her over if you’re short of things to do,’ said Patti, and turned to Fran. ‘Thank you for the lunch, Fran.’
    Twenty minutes later, Fran was pulling up outside The Pink Geranium. Harry came to the door with a key and let them into the street door of the upstairs flat.
    ‘She’s fine. I sent her up lunch and wine, and Ben called her from the timber yard.’
    ‘Oh, dear,’ said Libby. ‘I do feel guilty. Thank you so much, Hal.’
    She started up the stairs, followed by Fran, who had also been given shelter in this flat some years ago before she moved to Coastguard Cottage.
    ‘Cass – it’s me! I’m so sorry!’
    A tall woman with grey hair wound untidily round her head appeared at the top of the staircase. She grinned broadly.
    ‘I’m not in the least surprised, you daft bat! Come here and give me a hug.’
    Disentangling herself, Libby turned to Fran.
    ‘This is Fran Wolfe, Cass. You’ve heard me talk about her.’
    Cassandra held out her hand to Fran. ‘Indeed I have. And have you been out investigating? Harry tells me there’s a current murder.’
    Libby sighed, and perched on the arm of the sofa. ‘No, not really. Just being nosy. I’ll tell you all about it if you like. But what about coming home with me now for a cup of tea?’
    ‘I’d like that, Lib, but I’m going to stay here over the weekend. Harry offered, and it will keep me out your way.’ She turned to Fran. ‘Are you coming for tea, too, Fran?’
    ‘I’ll give you both a lift,’ said Fran.
    With Libby still profusely apologising, Fran drove them the short distance to Allhallow’s Lane, where Sidney ignored both Libby and Fran and made a terrific fuss of Cassandra.
    ‘So you’ll go to this meeting after we’ve eaten with Harry?’ asked Cassandra, when Libby had finished explaining about the evening’s plans.
    ‘You can come with us, if you like,’ said Libby. ‘You haven’t seen the theatre since it was finished, have you?’
    ‘Wouldn’t your Sir Andrew mind?’
    ‘Of course he wouldn’t, would he, Fran?’
    Fran shook her head. ‘Really nice man. Not a bit starry.’
    ‘Well, I’d like to, if you’re sure,’ said Cassandra. ‘Wonderful actor, isn’t he?’
    ‘He is,’ agreed Libby.
    ‘How do you come to know him?’
    ‘He and Harry had a mutual friend who died recently,’ said Fran easily, while Libby floundered.
    ‘Matthew was a mutual friend of ours, too,’ said Libby.
    ‘Well, yes.’
    Cassandra squinted at her cousin. ‘I sense there’s something you’re not telling me, but I won’t pry. Now, what are you working on at the moment?’
    ‘Working?’
    ‘Painting? You’re still painting, aren’t you?’
    ‘Er – well,’ said Libby guiltily.
    ‘She’s supposed to provide originals for sale in my husband’s little gallery in Nethergate, but she always seems to be behind,’ said Fran.
    ‘There’s always so much else to do,’ said Libby. ‘And they’re only potboilers, anyway.’
    ‘They sell,’ said Fran. ‘OK – not for millions, but they do sell.’
    ‘And people do like having an