Free LS 13 - Murder in a Different Place by Lesley Cookman

down. When Ship House is let we have a cleaner who goes in – she’ll be with you today or tomorrow, I think – and there’s no reason for us to go down otherwise. We’re not beach people.’
    ‘What do you do with yourselves?’ Libby asked.
    ‘Oh, this and that.’ Amelia turned towards the house and Libby noticed her faintly discontented expression. Not enough, she thought.
    ‘I think Alicia’s already gone shopping.’ Amelia peered into the room on the right of the front door as she led them inside. Fran and Libby exchanged triumphant glances. ‘But Honoria’s here. In the garden, probably.’
    Libby was grinning broadly at the accuracy of Guy’s prediction.
    ‘Well, perhaps we could just have a quick word with you, Amelia,’ said Fran quickly, before Libby disgraced them both.
    ‘Me? Why?’ Amelia raised perfectly pencilled eyebrows.
    ‘We were wondering about the people at the funeral, and if any of them had – well – known about whatever might have happened in the past.’
    ‘I don’t suppose so. They’re an uninteresting bunch.’ The discontented expression intensified. ‘There’s nothing to do on the Island any more.’ She took them into a comfortable but slightly shabby sitting room and indicated chairs. ‘It used to be such fun when we were younger.’
    ‘Have you always lived here?’ asked Libby, as she sank into a large chintz-covered armchair.
    ‘Oh, no, dear.’ Amelia preened slightly. ‘I’ve lived all over the world. My late husband was in the Diplomatic.’
    ‘Goodness!’ said Fran, in appropriately admiring tones. ‘You must have led such an interesting life.’
    ‘Oh, it was. That’s why …’ Amelia stopped and shrugged. ‘Oh, well, that’s not what you came about, is it?’
    ‘No, you’re right,’ said Libby. ‘You were going to tell us about some of your old friends who were at the funeral.’
    ‘Was I?’ Amelia frowned. ‘Oh. I suppose … Let me see. The Dougans, they were there. We’ve known them since we were children. Lady Bligh, of course, and that strange son of hers. Oh – Amanda Clipping was there, with some man in tow.’ She paused. ‘There were a lot of people I didn’t know. I expect Alicia will remember more. She never left the Island.’
    ‘What about Honoria?’ asked Fran. ‘Would she remember?’
    ‘I’ve no idea. You’ll have to ask her.’ Amelia turned a sulky face away from them.
    ‘And the people you mentioned,’ Libby pressed on. ‘They were all here during your childhood?’
    ‘Amanda wasn’t, but her parents were. They live in Surrey now, I believe. She lives in the family home – when she’s here.’
    ‘Oh? Not a permanent resident then?’
    Amelia sniffed. ‘Too busy, apparently. She’s something to do with television, they say.’
    ‘Ah.’ Libby nodded wisely. ‘But the others, the Dougans, wasn’t it? And Lady Bligh? They were here?’
    ‘Look,’ said Amelia, turning back to face them. ‘I don’t know what you’re expecting to find, but you can rest assured none of these people had illegitimate babies or anything like that. We’d have known.’
    ‘We’re simply trying to find a reason for Celia’s murder,’ said Fran gently, ‘and if you want us to do that, we have to look at all the background.’
    ‘We’ll go and find Honoria, shall we?’ asked Libby, standing up. ‘Just point us the way to the garden.’
    Amelia stood up and pulled back a heavy velvet curtain, revealing a French door. ‘Go round the side of the house. That’s where the kitchen garden is.’ She pulled the door closed behind them and drew the curtain across.
    ‘As if she’s blotting us out,’ said Libby, staring at the closed door. ‘What is up with her?’
    ‘Partly, reduced circumstances, I should think,’ said Fran. ‘She’s also a bit of a snob and thinks herself a cut above her sisters. We must find out what Celia did with her life, too, don’t forget. If she was murdered, it might have nothing to do