Hawksmead Books 1 & 2: Bridge to Eternity & Breaking through the Shadows by Farr Romola

Author:Farr, Romola
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-10-19T00:00:00+00:00

3

Malcolm had heard his phone ring whilst driving home and then heard it buzz as a text came through. It would be Audrey letting him know that she was safely on the train bound for the big smoke. Since their marriage three years ago, every day had been one of pure pleasure. Both had been widowed and both had nearly died in accidents before realising they had a second chance of happiness, if they would only grasp it.

As he walked up the path to Mint Cottage, he pulled a few brown leaves off the rose bushes and stopped to breathe in the petals’ heady scent. He had a quick look at his bedding plants and saw that his choice of fuchsias, petunias and geraniums were still competing to offer bees brightly coloured blooms, before the weather changed.

His phone buzzed again as he slid a key into the front door. He was looking forward to settling down to the preamble before the next round in the Formula One racing calendar. The text message cancelled his plan and within a minute the sole of his shoe was pressing down on the Honda’s accelerator pedal.

Eleanor placed two buck rarebits on the table in front of Tina and Audrey, beside two glasses of orange juice and two cappuccinos. The Olde Tea Shoppe was her livelihood but music was in her bones. Despite being a non-believer, she enjoyed playing the pipe organ in the Methodist church every other Sunday and at various recitals. A professional opera singer, now retired, and a divorcee with no children, she’d given up all hope of finding a man to accompany her through her dotage.

‘I hope I’ve got the egg right,’ she said. ‘Perhaps I should take it off the menu and just cook Welsh rarebit – a lot easier.’

‘But you could lose your buck rarebit clientele,’ Audrey smiled.

‘True, but every time I cook a poached egg I’m walking on egg shells – literally!’ Eleanor turned to Audrey’s companion whose face was hidden behind her lank blonde hair. ‘It’s lovely to see you, Tina. I am so sorry.’

Tina scooped her hair behind her ear and looked at Eleanor. ‘It’s why I’ve come back. I need…’ Fat tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. She roughly wiped them away. ‘He’s missing, presumed dead, but he’s not dead to me. I know Gary. He would never leave me without a fight.’

‘What’s the latest from the police?’ Eleanor glanced at Audrey who gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head.

‘They think he’s dead,’ Tina said. ‘But until they find his body I won’t give up.’ She picked up her knife and fork and stabbed the poached egg, spilling yolk over melted cheese and toast.

In the halcyon days of the 1950s when Malcolm had learned to drive and owners of cars were but few, it was possible to simply pull up and park almost anywhere at any time. Hawksmead had so far resisted the march of traffic wardens and the scourge of yellow lines, but following the Sunday service exodus from St.

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