A Scone To Die For (Oxford Tearoom Mysteries ~ Book 1) by H.Y. Hanna Read Free Book Online Page A

impulsive decision in my life: I sold my swanky penthouse apartment in Sydney, bought the Little Stables Tearoom, packed my things, and came home. Of course, once I’d tasted a couple of weeks of British weather and maternal smothering, the romance did begin to fade a bit… but still, I didn’t regret it.
    I pulled myself out of my thoughts and back to the conversation at the dining table. “Why can’t I just run a tearoom if it makes me happy?”
    My mother looked at me as if I had grown two heads, then she continued as if I hadn’t spoken.
    “Dorothy Clarke told me that her daughter works for the University in their Alumni Office. She was having her highlights done at the hair salon when I was there last month and she told me all about Suzanne’s job. It sounds very glamorous and Suzanne gets to travel sometimes on University business. Wouldn’t you like a job like that, dear?”
    “No,” I said firmly. “I had a job like that in Sydney, Mother. Don’t you remember? And I hated it.”
    My mother tutted. “You didn’t hate it. How could you have done it for eight years if you hated it?”
    “Trust me, Mother. I’m much happier now. I’m proud of my little tearoom and I want to make a success of it. I don’t need another job.”
    My mother was silent as we finished the rest of our soup and I thought that she might have finally accepted my position on the subject. It was too much for hope for. As we began our main course (roast lamb with spiced parsnips, carrots, and crispy roast potatoes, accompanied by home-made mint sauce—ah, I’d missed a good traditional British roast) she launched a new attack from a different angle.
    “Has Cassie got a boyfriend yet?”
    I shook my head.
    “Why is she never with a nice young man?”
    I shrugged. “Cassie is just… a free spirit, I guess. Besides, you know her first love is her paintbrush.”
    “Well, it’s about time she thought about settling down, you know…” She gave me a meaningful look. “I mean, Cassie isn’t as young as she used to be and everyone knows that once a woman passes thirty, everything starts to go downhill.”
    I had a sneaking suspicion that she was not talking about my best friend, but I could be as obtuse as my mother when I chose to be.
    “Oh, I wouldn’t worry about Cassie—I think everything is still very uphill with her,” I said cheerfully
    My mother pursed her lips. “Yes, but it is so strange, dear. Such a pretty girl too. I would have thought that the men would be flocking around her.”
    “They do flock around her,” I said. “The problem is that she’s not very interested in what they have to offer.”
    My mother gave a gasp and put a hand up to her throat. “Do you mean Cassie is a lesbos?”
    “Lesbian, Mother. The word is lesbian. Lesbos is an island in Greece. And no, Cassie is not lesbian. Not that there’s anything wrong with that anyway.” I glowered at her.
    “No, of course not, dear. I’m sure lesbians are lovely people.”
    Argh. Argh. Argh. I wanted to face plant on the table, but resisted.
    “Anyway, I was thinking…” my mother continued airily. “Perhaps you’re right, after all. Career isn’t everything. There are other things a woman can do that are very worthwhile—perhaps even more worthwhile. Such as making a home and starting a family…”
    “You could be right,” I said dryly. “But she usually needs someone to make a home and start a family with.”
    My mother pounced on me. “I’m so glad you say that, darling, because I’ve been thinking the very same thing! You’ll never meet anyone stuck out there in Meadowford-on-Smythe all day. Why, most of the men in the village are old enough to be your grandfather! So I was thinking, perhaps I can help you become acquainted with some of the young men in Oxford.”
    I gave her a wary look. “Mother, I don’t need you to set up blind dates for me.”
    “Who said anything about blind dates?” She gave a shudder. “What a