Bourn’s Edge Read Online Free

sachets, “just ask.” She turned to face Cassie. “How long are you planning on staying?”
    “Um.” Cassie shifted. “I’m not sure. Could we start off with a week? Would that be all right?”
    “Fine with me, dear.” Liz gave her a reassuring smile. “Full English breakfast included, of course.” She paused and looked a question. “You’re not a vegetarian, are you?” Cassie shook her head. “Will you be wanting supper? I do a main course and dessert for twelve pounds.”
    “Please.”
    “Plain cooking, I’m afraid. If you want wine, you’ll have to provide your own.”
    “That’s okay.”
    “I can do you a packed lunch too, if you’d like. A sandwich, crisps, cake, and fruit. Three pounds fifty I charge for that.”
    Cassie considered. Her cash would only stretch so far. “No thanks. I’ll get myself something from the shop. There’s a post office store further along the road, isn’t there?”
    “Yes. But don’t leave it too late. Today’s early closing.”
    Do they still do that? wondered Cassie. Evidently in Bourn’s Edge they did.
    It became Liz’s turn to look awkward. “I’m afraid I’ll need a cash deposit.” She fiddled with her thumbnail. “£70 should be enough.”
    “Of course. My money’s in my luggage. Will it be all right if I bring it down when I’ve unpacked?”
    Liz nodded. “I’ll be in the kitchen when you’re ready. I’m baking.” That explained the flour. “I’ll leave you to get settled then.” With a last smile, Liz closed the door behind her.
    Cassie sat on the bed and gave it an experimental bounce, then leaned back against the headboard and let her shoulders relax. She yawned. Her eyes felt gritty, her mouth stale. Still, she had a roof over her head and main meals for a week. It was a start.
    She unpacked, put away her things, and stuffed the landlady’s deposit in the back pocket of her jeans. Then she wandered over to the window. From this angle, the top of the scarecrow’s head was visible. His ears stuck out, and he had a bald patch. Odd thing to have in your front garden. She’d have to ask Liz about it.
    Cassie’s eyes tracked the short path to the front gate and to the car parked outside. Daylight revealed the full extent of the damage. She made a mental note to ask Liz for the whereabouts of the nearest garage. Later, though. She didn’t feel up to that at the moment. She didn’t feel up to ringing the police either, though she must. In fact she didn’t feel up to anything much except gazing out, first at the houses on the other side of the road, then at the backdrop formed by the hills on the far side of the valley. It was beautiful here, quiet, and unreal.
    Am I safe? Time would tell.
    She leaned her back against the windowsill and studied the room that would be hers for the next few days. The bed looked inviting, so she crossed to it, lay down on its red poppies, and closed her eyes.
    Just for a little while .
    Cassie woke from a nightmare in which a white van had just shunted her car off the edge of a ravine, and she was plummeting to her death. Her skin felt clammy and a headache threatened. She cursed herself for dozing off during the day—it never suited her.
    With a groan, she went into the bathroom. She splashed her face with water, combed the tangles from her hair, and filled the kettle from the cold tap. Once the water had boiled, she sat in the little armchair sipping instant coffee. The caffeine kicked in, making her feel more human, and she set down the empty cup and saucer with a sigh of relief.
    Outside, the light had shifted and brightened. A glance at her watch showed her two hours had elapsed. She got to her feet and patted her pocket to make sure the roll of banknotes was still there. Liz Hayward would be wondering what had happened to her money. She set off downstairs to give it to her.
     
    TARIAN FLUNG DOWN her palette and paintbrush and stepped back from the easel. Everything that could go wrong this morning