Free Mistletoe Mystery by Sally Quilford Page B

really takes me
back.”
    “Now let’s get onto the entertainment,” Matt continued. “The
main drama will only take place in the designated downstairs rooms. I gather
you all have your itineraries?” He looked around at a silent chorus of nods.
“Yes, that’s great. They will show where and when you can expect to see the
next part of the story. When you move up these stairs into your own bedrooms,
you are offstage, as we say in the theatre. So whatever role you have been
assigned should only be played downstairs. In your bedrooms you will have
privacy and space to be yourselves again. So I hope it goes without saying that
no one is to barge into anyone else’s room looking for clues. The kitchen is
also off limits for clue hunting, and therefore is also considered offstage.
We’re back to good old health and safety again. All clues are either in the
main downstairs rooms, as stated on the itinerary or in the gardens nearest to
the Hall. I can promise you that because of the snow, very few clues are
outside. We do ask that you leave all clues exactly where you find them, so
that others can find them too. If you have a camera, you’re welcome to take
pictures. I bet you’re all dying to get into your roles, so without further
ado…”
    “I’m afraid I won’t be able to stay in character at all,”
said Mrs. Bennett, who despite her misgivings during the last weekend had
returned with her husband. Their friend and fellow sleuth, Mr. Graham had also
returned, much to Philly’s surprise.
    “Don’t worry.” Matt flashed a stunning smile. “We don’t
expect you all to be word perfect all the time and we understand that some of
you may feel nervous or silly. I mentioned that the kitchen was offstage. It
is, but as a way of helping you get to know each other, we will split you into
separate groups. Tonight dinner is prepared by our chef, Puck Jenson, and there
will be a continental breakfast buffet in the mornings. But for lunch and
dinner we are going to let you all loose in the kitchen in your designated
groups. Now don’t look so alarmed. All ingredients and recipes are set out for
you and one of the staff will be on hand to help you along.”
    “I didn’t think I’d have to cook my own dinner,” said Mr.
Bennett.
    “It was mentioned in the brochure,” said Matt, airily. “Come
on, it’ll be fun. You can discuss the case with each other as the groups you’re
put in to prepare meals will be the same groups you’re in to solve the crime.”
    Philly almost reminded him there had not been a brochure.
There had not been time or money to create anything other than a small flyer.
On seeing that everyone else accepted what he said without question, she held
her tongue. He was certainly convincing. It was something she would have to
remind herself about whenever she thought of succumbing to his obvious charms.
    “Now,” said Matt, clapping his hands together. “I’m going to
be handing out your roles. They are non-gender specific and you’ll keep your
own names, so as not to confuse anyone. Some of you may be teachers, others
schoolchildren … for the purposes of this weekend, the school which was a girl’s
school will also welcome boys … erm …” He read from his notes. “There are
janitors, school nurses or doctors. You won’t know what you are until you get
your slip of paper and the great thing is that we don’t know what you are
either. You make up the character as you go along. And because this is a
mystery, we want you all to be plausible suspects. So you can each come up with
your own motive for being behind the disappearance of Dominique DuPont. Er…
let’s keep it clean though, hey folks? Remember that Dominique, though over the
British age of consent, was still a schoolgirl, so we don’t really want any
nasty business.”
    “Is one of us going to be the murderer?” asked Mrs.
Cunningham, her sharp eyes twinkling.
    “Who knows?” Matt winked at her. “That’s for you to