Free A Hint of Witchcraft by Anna Gilbert

second customer? But when she and Margot entered the shop together, except for Linden, it was empty. The second bell had signalled Katie’s flight.
    â€˜When I came back, she’d gone.’ Linden’s tone was one of patient resignation to the longeurs of the morning.
    â€˜It isn’t like her to go without saying why she came. She likes running errands.’ Margot went out to the step. There was no sign of her. ‘I believe I know why she was sent. That’s Miles’s car. Would you excuse us, Miss Burdon, if we don’t stay for coffee? May we come another time? And thank you so much for the strawberries. They’re magnificent. Mother will be pleased.’
    Miss Burdon was a little put out. She had twice expected a customer and it was only that tiresome Katie Judd, a half-wit who didn’t know what she was doing most of the time. People like that should be put away. Miss Burdon would have enjoyed entertaining the two girls to coffee. She was fond of Margot, indeed of any young people whom it was suitable and not too exacting to be fond of. She folded three pairs of flesh-coloured cami-knickers and returned them to their boxes, feeling all at once in the need of a little fresh air.
    Miles, sunburnt and smiling, had been leaning against the car at the Humberts’ gate and came to meet them.
    â€˜I wondered – hoped – thought you might like me to run you into town.’
    He had greeted Linden but it was Margot he addressed.
    â€˜I’d love it but I don’t think I should go. These berries will have to be hulled’ – she was beginning to hate them – ‘and there are other things.… We aren’t sure when Alex will turn up.’
    â€˜Unfortunately I can’t wait.’ His grandmother was unwell. He had been dispatched with a prescription to the chemist in Elmdon and had promised to be back by twelve. ‘May I come down later? This evening?’
    â€˜Yes, do. Alex will be home by then. Or come this afternoon if you can.’
    â€˜I’d like to.’ He climbed into his car.
    â€˜I wonder.…’ Linden had not yet spoken. ‘You could save me from an awkward situation. It’s been worrying me. I called at the office this morning with a message for Mr Embleton – actually it’s my Saturday off – and forgot to tell him that the client he was expecting at twelve-thirty had telephoned yesterday that he would be coming earlier. There’d still be time to warn him if you could.…’
    â€˜Certainly. Hop in.’
    Miss Burdon waved from her open door as the car passed. Linden returned the wave. Such a charming girl, delightful smile, faultless teeth; and how reassuring to meet a young woman of such refinement. Margot was a dear girl but she could learn a good deal from her friend, acquire a little of the polish not to be found in Ashlaw. And young Mr Rilston. The two young people had much in common, coming from a similar background. Miss Burdon was a believer in the importance of backgrounds. Their fathers had served in the same regiment, both, alas, killed. It was fitting that the young people should become friends – and very likely more than friends.
    Their smooth passage through the village together on a summer morning suggested a romantic flight and roused in Miss Burdon memories of her own distant youth, though of course it was only dog-carts and gigs in those days. Iron railings enclosed the three feet of ground between the shop and the pavement and in that narrow confine an old rose-bush had put out new pink blooms. Miss Burdon inhaled their fragrance. Sunshine, roses, young lovers, strawberries successfully disposed of without the bother of picking them, the new consignment of delicate underwear – together restored her to good humour: until she went back into her shop and found that one string of pearl beads was missing.

CHAPTER VII
    In a little more than an hour, everyone in the