“A baby?” Mrs. Raheem sparkled.
Congratulations swirled around the room like a bright Christmas ribbon. Even Mr. Graystone had to smile and shake Edsel’s hand.
“I s’pose we’ll both be busy, won’t we, Preston?” Edsel bubbled.
Lillie approached Berdie and spoke quietly. “Ivy expecting. Now that certainly explains her emotional state.”
When hubbub began to subside, Hugh tapped a holiday glass with a fork. The eyes of all fell upon their parish priest.
“Congratulations to the Butz family,” Hugh acknowledged, “and I’d like you all to adjourn to the kitchen.”
The horde filed into the awaiting room uttering murmurs of glee.
“Hugh,” Berdie whispered to her husband, “our guest hosts have been manning the kitchen. It could be well out of order.”
“Perhaps, perhaps not.”
“Why on earth?”
Hugh took his wife by the elbow. “Let’s just go have a look-see.”
When Berdie stepped into the kitchen, the ocean of people stepped aside like the opening of the Red Sea. And there, where the untamed machine of old had been, a shiny new dishwasher stood in all its splendor with a giant red ribbon attached.
“Oh my.” Berdie put her hands to her chest. “I say! It’s lovely.”
Atop the machine, a jolly Christmas card, adorned with a Christmas robin, held a handwritten message.
Dear Mrs. Elliott,
Thank you for your relentless quest for the truth. We salute your bravery and courage. Happy Christmas.
It was signed, The Members of Saint Aidan of the Wood Parish Church.
“Oh thank you, thank you.” Berdie felt the heat rise on her cheeks. “It’s lovely. Thank you.”
Hugh gave her a kiss and the whole lot fell into a round of “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”
After moments of admiration for the new appliance and several comments from guests stating how they would like to purchase one like it themselves, the party moved back to the sitting room.
Berdie, however, set to loading the new dishwasher with soiled party plates and cups.
Lillie, who had left with the others, burst back into the kitchen all aflutter. “Berdie, you’ll never guess. Loren just told me about something he heard at work today.”
“It certainly wasn’t from the voice of one of his clients.” Berdie put a plate in the rack.
“There’s talk of fraudulent practices in the Timsley City Council.”
“I don’t want to hear this, Lillie.” Berdie picked up another utensil. “I’m not hearing you.”
“It goes all the way to the lord mayor.”
Berdie stopped. “Truly?”
“They say one of his council members, a Colonel something, has embezzled thousands.”
“Not Colonel Orson Pierpoint.”
“That’s it. You know him?” Lillie’s eyes sizzled.
“He served with Hugh in the Falklands. Sterling character. British cross. No, Colonel Pierpoint is not an embezzler.”
Lillie danced. “Just your cup of Christmas tea, Berdie Elliott.”
“Ladies.” Hugh entered the room with mugs begging for more wassail. He must’ve sensed the electricity of the atmosphere. His left brow lifted. “Ladies? What are we up to?”
“Just loading the washer, dear.”
“Just loading the washer,” Lillie chimed in.
“Berdie, you aren’t getting your nose into something again. Tell me you’re not.” Hugh was stern.
“Did I say anything of the sort?”
Hugh set the mugs down. “Come you two. Back to the celebration. It’s Christmas Eve.”
Hugh opened the kitchen door. “After you.”
“Lillie,” Berdie said, “what are you doing Monday? I believe I have some errands to tend to.”
Lillie tipped her head. “Monday?”
“In Timsley.”
Lillie shook her head. “Oh yes, in Timsley.”
The friends hooked arms and walked into the sitting room.
And a Merry Christmas was had by all.
Thank you for purchasing this Harbourlight title. For other inspirational stories, please visit our on-line bookstore at www.pelicanbookgroup.com.
For questions or more information, contact us at [email protected].
Harbourlight Books
The Beacon in Christian Fiction™
an imprint of Pelican Ventures Book Group
www.pelicanbookgroup.com
May God’s glory shine through
this inspirational work of fiction.
AMDG
Coming Spring 2013
A Berdie Elliott Lenten Mystery
Up from the Grave
A Lenten sod turning ceremony for a new water feature in the back garden of St. Aidan of the Wood Parish Church goes utterly pear-shaped when the upturned soil reveals a human skeleton.
With Berdie Elliott at the helm, the whole of Aidan Kirkwood digs into the mystery. When the bones held life, just who was this person? Who is the mysterious countess who arrives on the garden scene? And what does the young and beautiful Robin Derbyshire's wedding have to do with the grave?
Unearth the answers in this fun spring romp.
Candle for a Corpse Page 21
