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

other students—particularly those like Fiona, who came from a working-class background.” He gave an ironic smile. “You and I know that Oxford’s elitist image isn’t necessarily true, but girls like Sarah really don’t help to dispel that stereotype.”
    “Did Fiona mention a past fight between her and Sarah?”
    “She was very cagey but I got the impression that there had been something—something to do with the Art School. I’m going there tomorrow to speak to their tutor.”
    I wished I could be a fly on the wall at that interview. But Devlin had already told me far more than he should have. Besides, I hadn’t exactly returned the favour in kind. There was still something I was keeping from him. I thought back to that conversation I had overhead in the garden and felt a stab of guilt for not telling Devlin about it. But was it really important? What if it was a red herring? Devlin might have been keeping an eye on Jon, but Cassie’s boyfriend wasn’t a strong suspect yet. If I told Devlin about that conversation, that could all change.
    I thought of the earlier scene with Cassie and how upset she had been and I squirmed. She would never forgive me if I turned the focus of the investigation on Jon, especially because of something as flimsy as an overheard conversation where I thought one of the voices might be Jon’s…
    “Gemma?”
    I blinked and looked up.
    Devlin was looking at me, his blue eyes sharp. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
    I evaded his question. “Um… what about Sarah’s boyfriends?”
    “I asked Mrs Waltham about that last night, but unfortunately she doesn’t seem to know much about Sarah’s personal life. They weren’t close, I gathered. And as far as I can tell, Sarah didn’t have any close female friends she confided in.”
    I got the feeling that Sarah Waltham was quite a lonely character, in spite of the glamourous image and lifestyle.
    “So… it’s really down to the toxicologist’s report now, huh?” I said. “Do you think you might get the results tonight?”
    Devlin smiled. “You haven’t changed, Gemma—still as impatient as ever. It’s Sunday today and this isn’t the only case that the toxicologist is working on. I think I’ll be lucky to get the results tomorrow, maybe even the day after.” He shrugged. “Don’t worry—it might take a bit longer, but we’ll get there.”
    I looked at him speculatively. The Devlin O’Connor I used to know would have been even more impatient than me. His impetuosity had been one of the things I had found most attractive about him at nineteen—it had seemed so different and so exciting , compared to the constraints of my inhibited upbringing. Now, Devlin was older and… well, maybe not so much “wiser” as more controlled. It wasn’t that he had lost that burning energy and drive, rather that he seemed to have learned to channel it into more effective directions.
    “By the way, Gemma…” Devlin said casually. “I was wondering… would you be free tonight?”
    “Tonight?” I looked at him in surprise.
    “Yes, I thought… if you’re free… we could go out for a pint, maybe even a bite to eat…”
    He said it in an offhand tone, as if he didn’t really care what my answer would be, but I saw the flash of disappointment in his blue eyes when I said regretfully, “I’m afraid I can’t. I’ve… I’ve already got plans for this evening.”
    “Some other time then,” said Devlin lightly.
    He gave me a nod, then turned and left before I could say anything else. I stared at his retreating back. What was that about? Had Devlin O’Connor just tried to ask me out on a date?

CHAPTER EIGHT
     
     
     
     
    “Darling, dinner’s slightly delayed this evening. I need to pop across to Mrs Waltham first,” my mother said.
    I paused on my way out of the kitchen. “Are you going next door?”
    “Well, I just thought it would be nice to take her something.” She indicated the soup tureen on