Tea with Milk and Murder (Oxford Tearoom Mysteries ~ Book 2) by H.Y. Hanna Read Free Book Online Page A

have turned a corner, although he’ll be in the ICU ward for a few days.” She swallowed. “He’s going to be devastated…”
    The front doorbell rang and my mother looked immensely relieved. She went quickly to answer it, returning in a moment to say that the police were here to escort Mrs Waltham back to her house where Detective-Inspector O’Connor was waiting to question her. I followed Sarah’s mother to the front door and stood thoughtfully on the threshold, watching as the constable led her away.
    “What a dreadful business,” my mother commented as she shut the door and led the way back to the living room. “That poor woman.”
    “Do you know much about the Walthams?” I asked as we began to clear up the tea things.
    My mother shook her head. “Not really, darling. They’re not unfriendly but they do keep to themselves. They haven’t been here long, of course—only about six months, so I don’t know them that well. They used to live in Woodstock, I believe, but Mr Waltham wanted to be closer in to town, especially as Sarah was in her final year and no longer had college accommodation—so she had moved back home and it was easier for her to be closer to the University. And you know the Collinses had been wanting to sell up next door for ages and trade down to a flat in London, so it worked out well all round.”
    “Have you met Mr Waltham?”
    “Only to say hello to,” my mother said. “I’ve seen him a few times, you know, just when we pass each other coming in and out… Oh, I did see him a couple of weeks ago in town, with Mrs Waltham, coming out of our solicitors’ office. They must use Sexton, Lovell & Billingsley as well. I was just popping in to drop off a document for your father and we stopped and had a nice chat.”
    “What were they doing there?”
    “I could hardly ask that, Gemma!” My mother looked scandalised. “They didn’t look particularly cheerful—but then, legal matters can be so tedious.”
    “And Sarah wasn’t with them?”
    “No. In fact, I think I’ve only spoken to her once. She is—was—a very attractive girl.”
    “Yes,” I agreed, although I thought the attractiveness was only skin-deep, but I didn’t voice my thoughts aloud.
    “Anyway!” My mother heaved a sigh, then said in a different voice, “How was Cassie’s party, darling?”
    “Oh, it went very well—until the incident with Sarah, that is. There were lots of people there, especially important people in the art world, and Cassie’s paintings seemed to be getting a lot of attention.”
    “Well, I must say—I’m surprised you didn’t ask Lincoln to go with you,” My mother pursed her lips. “Such a nice boy, so well brought up—and so handsome…”
    I sighed to myself. Here we go. My mother’s favourite subject.
    “… really, any girl would be lucky to have Lincoln as her escort. And he’s such an eminent doctor too! And of course, with his mother being my closest friend, he’d be the perfect match! In fact, I was just saying to Helen the other day that if you two decided on an autumn wedding, we could book The Orangery at Blenheim Palace and have—”
    “Mother!” I said through clenched teeth. “Don’t start jumping to conclusions! I’m not marrying Lincoln Green!”
    “Why ever not, dear?”
    I felt like banging my head against the wall. “Well, for one thing, I don’t even know him that well yet. It’s not like we’re dating or anything.”
    “But you’ve been out with him a few times, haven’t you?”
    “Only as friends,” I stressed. “I’ve made it very clear to him that those were not romantic dates.”
    My mother waved this away. “And you’re going out again with him tomorrow night,” she added with some satisfaction.
    I looked at her warily. How had she found out about that?
    “It’s nothing. Lincoln was given some tickets for a concert at the Sheldonian and asked if I’d like to go along.”
    My mother beamed. “Well, make sure you look your