The Dream Weavers by Barbara Erskine (best ereader for pc TXT) 📗

how much she had been looking forward to their visit. ‘Supper will be ready in half an hour.’

‘They both rang?’

Bea nodded. ‘They know we miss them, and they’d obviously been discussing it, but it can’t be helped. They’re busy young women now, with their own lives. It’s our own fault for having such talented kids.’

Mark laughed. ‘When I was a student, my mum always used to say that I only came home when I ran out of clean clothes.’

‘That’s boys for you!’ Bea retorted. ‘It didn’t apply to me. I loved my parents and wanted to see them.’

‘And the girls love us, darling. You know they do,’ Mark said gently.

She nodded. And if the girls were there, she wouldn’t have time to be tempted. She wouldn’t have to fight the longing to go back, to see what was happening to Eadburh. Instead she could concentrate on them.

‘I’ve given myself an admin day tomorrow.’ She realised that Mark was talking to her. ‘So I’ll be home all day – perhaps we can nip out to lunch as a treat. But don’t worry if you’ve got anything planned.’

‘No. Nothing.’ If he was there she would have to abandon any plan she might have had to spy on the Queen of Wessex. She gave a wry smile.

‘Something amusing?’ He had seen her fleeting expression. ‘No. I was still thinking about the girls.’

‘I suppose we’ll get used to them not being around much.’ He sounded wistful. ‘But as you say, they’re both talented and we are so lucky that they are driven by those talents. Please God, they don’t waste them.’

They were finishing their supper when there was a knock at the front door. With a groan, Mark climbed to his feet, just as Bea’s phone announced she had a text. It was from Heather. You OK?

Bea smiled as she typed her reply: xx

As she looked up, Mark reappeared with Sandra Bedford in tow.

‘My dear, I am so sorry to intrude again. I know how precious your time is in the evenings.’

Bea felt a prickle of unease. She sighed. ‘Can we give you some coffee, Sandra?’ She was beginning to dislike this woman intensely, with her busy darting eyes and her ingratiating smile. ‘Why don’t you and Mark go to the study and I’ll bring it in.’

‘No. No, my dear, this isn’t a cathedral matter. I happened to be passing and I saw the lights were on and,’ Sandra paused dramatically, ‘I wanted to check on you both. I sensed last time I came over that there was some family crisis going on and I wanted to offer my help. I know how hard it is when the canon is so busy and I wanted to assure you that I am there for you, if you need me. We all need someone to confide in, don’t we.’ She paused, looking from one to the other expectantly.

Bea shivered. The cold breath on the back of her neck was a suspicion, no more. A warning. The woman spelt trouble. Mark, who was looking perplexed and irritated in equal measure, managed to reply, ‘That’s so kind of you, Sandra.’

‘And very thoughtful,’ Bea put in. ‘But there is nothing happening that you need to worry about, I assure you. I expect I was tired and rushing about as usual. I’m so sorry if I gave you the impression there was something wrong.’

‘Perhaps you’re doing too much. I heard that you have taken on a job that fills a lot of your time.’ Sandra pulled a chair towards the table and sat down. She was still wearing her coat. ‘That must be very difficult, what with taking care of the dear canon as well.’

Bea opened her mouth to reply, but Mark stepped in. ‘Bea is very busy in her job as a supply teacher, but she looks after me beautifully, Sandra, I assure you.’

‘Oh, I didn’t mean to imply that she doesn’t.’ Sandra looked hurt. ‘You know, perhaps I will have that cup of coffee.’ She began to unbutton her coat. ‘How are your children? They’re both at university, aren’t they? I suppose we all feel the need to fill that empty nest when they go off to study.’

‘They are doing very well.’ Mark walked over to the worktop and switched on the kettle. ‘Our eldest is training to be a vet. I’m so sorry, Sandra. I’m afraid I know nothing about your own family. Do you have children yourself?’

There was a moment of silence. ‘No,’ she replied eventually.

‘I’m sorry. I thought you implied …’ Mark looked at Bea desperately for support.

‘I’ve seen you with children in the cathedral,’ Bea put in. ‘You’re so good with them. And you’re right. We do miss the girls very much. But on the plus side, it is blessedly peaceful in the house now.’

It was a full fifteen minutes before Sandra finished her coffee and at last stood up to go.

Closing the door behind her, Mark turned to Bea. ‘That was a fishing expedition. The woman is impossible!’

‘She’s obviously very lonely.’

Lonely and malicious.

Malicious and dangerous. Bea put the thought out of her head.

‘And I am being unchristian,’ Mark was saying. ‘I’m sorry, if so. I will have a word with someone tomorrow about her circumstances. But even so, to call uninvited at this time of night. It’s too much. And why is she so interested in you? What was all this about you having a job that takes up so much of your time?’

‘I do have a job. I’m a teacher, as you told her.’

But they weren’t talking about teaching, were they.

‘A proper job.’ He sighed. ‘No, sorry. I didn’t mean that to come out like that. I’m obviously having an attack of tactless idiocy. Of course you have a proper job, it’s just that it’s a bit on and off, isn’t it. And it’s holidays now.’ He was silent for a moment. ‘OK. I’m going to say it. Supposing she’s got wind of your ghost hunting? There’s no way