The Advent of Murder (A Faith Morgan Mystery) Read Online Free PDF Page B

covered the walls when she first arrived. It had been replaced by a delicate lilac in a flurry of communal hard work that summer – a cold shade for winter, but it made the space lighter. A chilly draught touched her face. The door ahead stood open, the hall in darkness beyond. The stars offered distant radiance through the high windows. Beyond, the door leading to the back room spilled warm light.
    “Rice Krispie stars…” It was Sue’s voice, loaded with humour as she exaggerated her tale. “I had to use so much sugar to keep their shape, I tell you – they set like iron. The edges were sharp enough to put someone’s eye out.”
    “Did you spray them with gold paint? Then you couldkeep them as tree ornaments,” Clarisse’s calm voice responded.
    “I found Benji trying to use them as martial arts throwing stars; they ended up in the bin.”
    Faith entered the room. Four familiar faces were laughing at Sue who was holding up her thumb and finger an inch apart, her dark eyes full of life. “Honest! He missed the neighbour’s cat by so much…”
    Clarisse Johnston, Sue’s best friend, was by the tea tray handing round mugs. She wore a simple roll-neck over a mid-length skirt and still managed to look like an off-duty model. Delicate, grey-haired Elsie Lively sat at the table with her sister, Grace, and their friend Marjorie Davis.
    “We’ve been discussing Christmas crafts,” said Clarisse, handing Faith a steaming mug.
    “Hello, vicar,” Sue greeted Faith with a twinkle. “Have one of Elsie’s festive lemon curd tarts – they’re fab.” She loaded a piece into her wide mouth.
    “Please do,” Elsie contributed in her breathy voice; she pushed the plate toward Faith. “Grace and I have never got on with mince pies.” Faith helped herself.
    “Fred sends his apologies,” Sue said. “The Hare and Hounds’ darts team needed him tonight, but you’ll notice he gritted the paths before he left.”
    “Dear Fred.” The tart spread lemony gorgeousness in her mouth. Faith reflected just how lucky she’d been with her churchwarden; Fred Partridge was one in a million. She realized the other churchwarden, Pat Montesque, was missing. And it was Pat who had called the meeting. Clarisse saw her look at the clock.
    “Pat’s not here yet,” she said, with an impish look in her dark eyes.
    “I think it is a poo rr show,” said Sue in a fair imitation ofPat, “when she called the meeting herself. After all, we are but here at her command.”
    “The Christmas pageant and carol service is very dear to Pat’s heart,” Faith said diplomatically.
    “Then why isn’t she on time? She always makes a frightful fuss when one of us is late,” Sue complained.
    “Pat rang me to say she would be a few minutes late,” Elsie said quickly. “I believe she is bringing someone else to join us.” Elsie hated dissent. Sue was immediately contrite at the old lady’s concern.
    “Don’t worry, Elsie, I was only joking.”
    “How are things on the pageant front?” Faith asked. Sue and Clarisse were managing that part of the grand Christmas event. Sue had been directing the local amateur dramatics for years.
    “All on schedule,” replied Sue.
    “Fingers crossed…” said Clarisse, with a fond look at her optimistic friend. “Amanda Knight got into a stew because her boys told her they were cast as a camel and she doesn’t sew; she thought she had to produce the costume, poor girl. She was too shy to say anything. We only worked out what was up when she cut Sue dead in the supermarket.”
    “Silly sausage! Believing those boys of hers,” Sue said, reaching for another tart. “She’s the only one they take in. They’re a handful, those Knight boys. I told her – never mind how Lucy Taylor goes on about the magical life-sized puppets in The Lion King , the only animals in the Little Worthy Christmas pageant are real ones. By the way, you do have the donkey booked, Faith, don’t you?”
    Businesslike heels