A Murderer's Heart by Julie Elizabeth Powell Read Free Book Online

only had to drive a short journey to find the local shopping complex.
    Somehow it had escaped the city’s big, razzmatazz outlook and kept the old-fashioned village-type atmosphere that came from a bygone age.
    After she’d parked her car, she walked along the familiar and comforting small shops, which catered for just about everything she could possibly need. Very rare was it that she shopped in the city.
    Father Genelli – as the locals knew him – was serving today, his broad smile welcoming as Anne entered his shop. Like greeting a long lost friend, he raised his hands in typical Italian fashion and shouted his warm hello.
    “Anne, Anne , how are you? Bella – you look beautiful, as always. Why are you not married?” he said, as she smiled back.
    “You always make me feel that way, Father; it does me good to hear your praise.”
    “Nonsense, I am sure you have plenty of men after you.”
    Anne couldn’t help but smile; it was always the same when he was here. Forever asking when she would marry. “Listen, Father, I need some supplies for tomorrow – I’m having a picnic.”
    “You are entertaining...for a friend?” he asked, his eyebrows raised, a wide smile on his face.
    Reading between the lines, Anne answered, “Just a few people coming round for the evening.”
    “Ah, a few...oh well.”
    He seemed disappointed.
    “Every woman should have someone to love her,” he murmured.
    “Yes, a few work colleagues and friends,” Anne responded, unable to stop the smile. Trying to veer him away from his favourite subject, she added, “Yes, just a few friends...and Sam will be there.” Although she hadn’t asked him yet, she felt sure he would come if he wasn’t busy.
    “Ah, Sam; very good man...you and he...?”
    He smiled in expectation.
    “No, not Sam, we’re just friends.”
    His look of dissatisfaction was obvious.
    Veering him away again, Anne asked about his family.
    He threw up his hands in glee.
    “They are wonderful, growing every day – I have two more grandchildren on the way.”
    He beamed with pride.
    “That’s wonderful!”
    “Yes, yes...so, what about this picnic – you need supplies?”
    “Yes, I’ll need an assortment of your marvellous cold meats, sausage and some of that tomato chicken. I’ll have lots of pasta, breads, cheeses and pickles. Oh, and fruit – those grapes look luscious.”
    A while later, grasping two bags full of aromatic goodies, Anne made her way back to the car then drove home.
    Soon after stepping through the door, Anne had packed away all her groceries, put the bread in the freezer to keep fresh and the cold meats in the ‘fridge’, together with a selection of white wine and soft drinks. She had washed the fruit and added that to the cold store.
    It would all be delicious and fresh, and yet very simple.
    If the weather held – heat often brought thunder – it would be great to see all her friends and show off her beautiful garden.
    Going into the bedroom Anne changed into something more comfortable, and then made a sandwich and grabbing an apple and coke from the ‘fridge’ she flicked on the answering machine and made her way to the garden.
    She lay dozing on the yellow sun-bed when she realised she needed to make the ‘phone calls about tomorrow. She didn’t need to call Jenny and David, but she’d better call Barbara to confirm the time.
    There was no answer, so Anne left a message on the answering machine.
    Next she called Frank, who was delighted with her invitation and said he wasn’t quite sure who he’d bring.
    She was sure there was plenty of choice.
    Sam wasn’t there either, but she left a message to say she hoped he would come along and he could bring a friend.
    After a couple more calls, she reckoned that if everyone turned up there would be a full house.
    It should be fun.

{13}
     
     
    Sunday morning was as bright as promised.
    The early sunshine streamed into Anne’s bedroom as she opened the curtains. Though she couldn’t