Dream Cottage by Harriet J Kent Read Free Book Online Page B

Maxim?”
    “I’ll need to have a chat with my accountant; but yes I think we would like to make an offer. Will you be prepared to wait for a couple of days?” Max replied. He looked over at Greta.
    “Oh yes, Maxim. That will be fine. I’m in no hurry; but seeing as you have shown a keen interest in the cottage, I now feel it is time to sell, even if you decide against a purchase.”
    “In that case, would you be prepared to give us first refusal?” Max needed some sort of reassurance.
    Rev Oli thought for a while.
    “Yes, I would! In fact, I would be delighted to!” He held out his hand and limply shook first Max’s and then Greta’s hands.
    “Could I therefore ask you about the so-called rumours about Greenacres? Is there any truth to the fact that previous occupiers have met mysterious ends?” Greta asked.
    Rev Oli snatched his hand away from Greta as if she had burnt him. He glared at her.
    “Utter nonsense. It is just a coincidence, nothing more. The locals love to gossip and will say anything to keep their shallow minds full of idle chitchat. Take no notice of them; and particularly, don’t take any notice of Mr Marcus Mowbrie; he is the ringleader of the gossipers. Have you had the misfortune to meet him?”
    “He’s the local farmer, is that right?” asked Max.
    “Yes, strange fellow; married a woman half his age; has twins,” he began to whisper, “you know, out of a test tube variety.” He resumed a normal volume. “And she needs constant therapy, of the retail kind; always spending money, bleeding him dry. I don’t know how he manages to keep his bank balance afloat!”
    “We understand he was interested in buying Greenacres? His land butts on to the side of the cottage, doesn’t it?” Max quizzed.
    “Yes, he was interested but I am most certainly not interested!” Rev Oli became very defensive and rattled. “To be honest, Maxim, I would not wish to sell Greenacres to Mr Mowbrie, purely upon principle, even if he were the last man on earth! I fear he would only be looking to make a quick profit to satisfy the demands of Mrs Mowbrie. Oh by the way, you didn’t hear that from me!” he quickly added and tapped his nose. “Mum’s the word!”
    Max nodded.
    “Right, well, thank you Reverend, for showing us around. Here is my business card. I will be in touch in the next few days with an offer. Thank you once again for your time, at such short notice.” Max shook Rev Oli’s hand and handed him his card.
    “Thank you Reverend; you have been most kind,” returned Greta. Her face was flushed in delight. “Thank you for showing us around Greenacres.”
    “I will speak to you again soon; God be with you!” The Rev raised his hand, made the sign of the cross and blessed the couple where they stood.
    Greta smiled and, out of habit, responded.
    “And also with you!”

Chapter Six
     Greta and Sophie rose up from their seats and shuffled their way to the exit of the packed West End theatre. They trod through empty packets of sweets and kicked spent water bottles. They had enjoyed a highly entertaining spiritual evening with celebrity medium, Nonie Spangler.
    “Well? What did you think of her?” Sophie asked.
    “Good, I suppose; but I can see how she may have been fed information; that’s why I purposely didn’t fill in one of those cards. It was pointless anyway, as no one really close to me has died. I just wanted to see how good she was.” Greta buttoned up her coat and grabbed her handbag.
    “Don’t you think it was odd how she picked you out of everyone in the audience?” Sophie asked.
    “Not really, it didn’t mean anything, did it? I certainly don’t know who she was talking about. I think I may have been one of her blips! We will probably be reading about it in the newspapers tomorrow. She did try hard though, didn’t she?”
    “Yes, she seemed adamant though that you were the one she needed to speak to. You know, all that staring business,” Sophie