Page 49 of A Spell of Midlife Mayhem

‘I had a date last night,’ I said shyly.

‘A date! What’s he like?’ Melissa asked. ‘Tall, dark and handsome?’

‘Intelligent and a gentleman?’ Penny said.

‘Cute and funny?’ Lydia added.

I laughed. ‘All of those things. He’s a great guy. We had dinner at an Italian restaurant by the river. Le Amore.’

‘Fancy. I wish I could afford to eat there,’ Penny said dourly. ‘I suppose the food was top notch?’

‘It sure was. We had fun.’

‘Is he rich?’ Melissa asked.

‘I have no idea.’

‘And have you had sex with him yet?’ Lydia’s eyes gleamed with mischief.

My face burned, and I let out a breath. Why be embarrassed? I was in my mid-forties and single. This was my second chance at a good life, and I could do what I damn well liked. Even have sex on the first date, if I so wished. But I didn’t get the chance.

‘He had to leave early.’ I sighed. ‘From the restaurant.’

‘What?’ Lydia asked. ‘He wined and dined you and then just... left you there?’

‘Did he get an urgent phone call? Does he have a job where he must rush away sometimes, like... is he a doctor or a cop or a journalist or something?’ Melissa’s confusion showed on her face. It mirrored mine.

‘No. It was weird.’

‘Maybe he didn’t like you,’ Penny said.

‘Penny!’ Melissa and Lydia rounded on her.

‘What? It could be that. Why else would he leave? Anyway, there are plenty more birds in the sky.’

I stared at her. Why did she use that turn of phrase instead of the usual ‘fish in the sea’?

Lydia stood. ‘We better get on with preparing the house for visitors. Heather, speak up if you want to chat more later. I know you’re new to this country, but you’re one of us now. You don’t have to face your problems alone.’

‘Thanks, Lydia.’ Things between Raven and me were confused. Was he my boyfriend... or not?

At the moment, I guessed not.

***

RONALD MORRIS ENTERED the house five minutes after it opened. ‘Morning,’ he said, his eyes bright over his metal-rimmed glasses, before he made his way to the grand staircase.

He’d be on his way to the library, of course, to carry on with his research.

I gasped. The library! But the earl’s ghost was there!

Ronald was already halfway up the first flight of stairs. He reached the middle landing by the time I had hurried over and planted a foot on the first stair.

‘Wait, Mr Morris!’ I cried out.

‘I’m going to the library,’ he called back without slowing. ‘I must get on with my research.’

He was at least twenty years older than me, but he put on a surprising burst of speed, and I was not anywhere near top form, thanks to the operation. Though, to be honest, my best had never been much good anyway. My usual idea of exercise involved unwrapping a chocolate bar.

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