Free Small Town Christmas (Some Very English Murders Book 6) by Issy Brooke Page A

back.
    Linda took it as an invitation to step forward. She loomed
into Penny’s personal space. “So, we’re starting a campaign and I’m delighted
that the ramblers’ club is fully on board with this.”
    Edwin grunted. He looked about as enthusiastic as a
Michelin-starred chef in a fast food restaurant.
    “And of course, we need someone to help design the
promotional literature,” Linda said. “We need posters, adverts, forms, flyers
and newsletters. That’s what we think you could do to show your support.”
    The woman was unstoppable, Penny thought. Dreadful
in every way, but goodness, she had an admirable drive and commitment.
    “I am afraid I’m currently already over-committed,” Penny
said in a stilted and formal way.
    “Oh, we don’t want you to do anything complicated. We’ve
kept it well within your skill-set,” Linda said blithely.
    Did the woman intend to be so insulting? Penny couldn’t
work it out. “No, Linda,” she said more firmly. “I’ve got my own business to
run and it’s really busy at the moment with the run-up to Christmas. Then there
are my commitments to the Christmas Planning Committee.”
    “But you’re not responsible for health and safety any
longer, so I know you have some free time there.”
    “Not really. I’m singing with the local choir and we’re
doing lots of evening practise. No, sorry; I have no time. But I wish you all
the best with it.”
    Linda just could not hear the refusal. She said, “Oh, the
carol concert! And you’ll be going door-to-door as well, won’t you? It’s
marvellous. I mean, singing outside in the cold air, you’ll all destroy your
throats and your voices yet you still carry on. How wonderful. I used to sing,
you know.”
    “Why don’t you come?” Penny said. She thought, if you do
something for me, I’ll do something for you . “Just turn up tomorrow night
at the Academy. We use the gymnasium there. We often pop to a pub together
afterwards, too. I walk, but they open up the school car park for people.”
    “No, dear,” Linda said, looking down her nose. “I used to
sing in a theatre, you know. It was technically an amateur outfit but I
had offers, you know. Real offers. I don’t think this is my thing. However, I
look forward to hearing you singing out and about. I’ll drop off our specifications
for the flyers at your house later today. River Street, isn’t it? What number
do you live at?”
    “I don’t have the time,” Penny insisted.
    “We’re all busy. I appreciate that. But you’re part of this
community now … aren’t you?”
    “Yes,” Penny said wearily.
    Edwin finally spoke. “You can’t fight her, you know.”
    “So I’m beginning to see.”
    “A few flyers, nothing more,” Linda chirped, ignoring what
passed between them. “The other stuff can all be based on the design you come
up with for the flyer. I have sketched out some ideas to start you off. That’s
why I need to know where you live.”
    Unwillingly, Penny told her. It was the only way to make
her shut up and go away. Linda was all smiles and glee then. She patted Penny
on the arm until Kali’s rumbling made her stop and retreat.
    Still relatively unfazed, she bid them both good day, and
skipped off to hunt down another poor victim.
    Edwin waited until Linda was out of earshot. He then let
off a string of cursing which petered out to an embarrassed apology.
    “I’m sorry,” he said, rather pink in the face. “It’s just
that she absolutely riles me up and I cannot say anything against her, because
if I start to challenge her, if I say anything at all, I am afraid I won’t be
able to stop, and I will say or do something I’ll regret.”
    “I know what you mean,” Penny said. “I couldn’t say no,
could I?”
    “Not if you value your life,” he said.
    There was an awkward silence.
    “I apologise again,” Edwin said with a cough. “That was
rather poor taste.”
    “It’s fine,” Penny replied. “Even under