Nooks & Crannies Read Online Free PDF Page A

holding its breath to learn more about this very titled, very secretive, and very rich woman.
    Tabitha tapped her chin. “Well, Pemberley. That gives us little to nothing in terms of expectations. A mysterious lady, indeed. What on earth could she want with us? And what shall we do with ourselves other than wonder about it?”
    The hours passed quickly enough in the hotel. Tabitha moved pieces on the foyer’s chess set for a bit and then perched on a long bench next to an umbrella stand and swung her legs, making a game of figuring out the stories behind each person present. A young woman with a long coat over an aproned dress had just delivered a box wrapped in beautiful white ribbon, dropping it on the front desk along with a note and a curtsy.
    â€œSee there,” Tabitha whispered to Pemberley. “The front desk man is a spy for a famous French chef, hoping to steal the pastry recipes of the shop down the street. And the lovely shop girl who just delivered a box of—what is most certainly—pastries is his secret accomplice. The note she passed to him while blushing has a recipe for the perfect croissant.”
    As she peered around the room for a fresh prospect, Tabitha’s eyes settled on the mahogany telephone booth, which was occupied by the back of a man’s brown jacket and matching brown hat. The man’s shoes shuffled back and forth along the booth floor in an odd manner, as though he were dancing in place, and he shook his head vehemently at something the person on the other line had said. The man’s voice was muffled by people coming in and out of the front door, but Tabitha caught an insistent, slightly animated tone.



“Hmm, Pemberley. Perhaps Mr. Jacket and Hat has finally tracked his long-lost love to a manor house here in the Lake District and is demanding to speak with her.”
    Pemberley gave a satisfied squeak at the supposition.
    Tabitha didn’t often fantasize about such mushiness, but long-lost thises and thats were popular among the good-night tales she made up for Pemberley. Soldiers with amnesia and their sweethearts, orphans and parents, lost puppies and owners all reunited into tidy little happily ever afters. Her mouse, Tabitha reasoned, was sensitive about the early loss of his parents and siblings, and was comforted by such stories.
    Pemberley let out another squeak and scuffled against the lining of her sweater pocket.
    â€œHush now, Pemberley,” Tabitha warned. “Let’s listen a bit more.” She casually moved to a long bench closer to the telephone booth, hoping to hear snippets of Jacket & Hat’s conversation. She was slightly surprised when the voice didn’t match the elegant clothing. The man sounded like he came right out of the rough streets and alleys of East London. Not that character could be judged by a voice, she reminded herself. Barnaby Trundle, for instance, had a perfectly respectable voice that he often used in a most unrespectable manner.
    â€œâ€”all arrived, they have—all six children. Yes, I called the Times and you were right about passing along the names as well, luv, they’ve agreed to transfer payment to the hotel.”
    Tabitha inhaled softly. Was the man talking about her and the others? He must be.
    â€œNow that you mention it, they do seem a bit nervous. No, nobody seems to know why they’ve been invited. Yes, I’ve ’eard a few of them mention the possibility of coming into money, but it’s all speculation. Best to assume the invitation was vague on that front, right?” He jerked his head around, and Tabitha ducked behind a curtain before his face could turn her way.
    â€œWha’? No, no, I’ll get back in plenty o’ time. Right, luv, I can’t wait either. We’ll do it up right and be married in style once we get this final bit done. Brilliant stroke of luck. It’ll be tied ends for us. Cheers, luv.” He hung up and patted a