The Dead of Winter Read Online Free

one.’
    Rina laughed. Bridie’s house comprised a collection of themed rooms – Rina usually stayed in the art-deco suite – and Bridie was a devil for going to auctions and buying impossibly large furniture just because she liked it. She’d given refuge to the biggest sideboard Rina had ever seen and a draw leaf table designed to seat about thirty, the spare leaves of which were carefully stored and regularly inspected against the time when she had to host a meeting of Commonwealth leaders.
    â€˜So, where is Tim?’ Joy asked.
    â€˜Got to be through there.’ More doors, this time leading to a library and then into a smaller study. These rooms must form a wing at the back of the house, Rina thought, matching the nursery wing where her bedroom was, on the opposite side of the house.
    Tim appeared to be inspecting a large round table. With him were three other people, two men and a woman, setting up cameras in the corners of the otherwise empty room.
    Tim himself was beneath the table.
    â€˜Timothy Brandon, come out and explain yourself,’ Joy demanded.
    Four pairs of eyes focused in her direction, only Tim failing to notice her tone.
    â€˜Ah, you’ve found us, good. Great location isn’t it?’ He scrambled out from beneath the table, face lit by excitement.
    â€˜Seance?’ Joy demanded.
    The young woman with the camera laughed. ‘Oops, someone’s in trouble.’
    Joy glared at her, then back at Tim. ‘Explain.’
    The older of the cameramen extended a hand. Rina shook it automatically. ‘I think Melissa is bringing us some tea and coffee,’ he said. ‘Back in the hall. How about we all go and sit down and I’ll give Tim a hand on the excuses front?’
    â€˜Do I need a hand?’ Tim asked, then took a closer look at Joy and Rina. ‘Ah, looks like I do.’
    Joy, in turn, shook the older cameraman’s hand. ‘Toby Thwaite,’ he said.
    Rina had heard the name before. Her eyes narrowed as she dredged up a vague memory. ‘You and Tim were at university together.’
    â€˜We were, yes. I took the route into electronic magic, and Tim took the more direct approach. I filmed his Pepper’s Ghost show at Christmas; that’s when I asked him to be the fourth man for this job.’ He gestured towards the unmanned camera set up in the far corner. ‘This is the rest of my team: Robin Hill and Viv Grieves. They’re both students of mine.’
    Hellos all round. Rina studied the younger pair: Robin, with dark floppy hair falling over his eyes and the demeanour of an excited ten year old. Viv, with richly brown skin but unusually light hazel eyes. She was very pretty, Rina thought, noting that Robin seemed to think so too. She guessed they were just a little older than Joy.
    â€˜Robin, I think, is hoping he’ll see a bona fide ghost,’ Toby went on, ‘and Viv here is determined she’s going to spot who’s pulling the strings.’
    â€˜So . . . ?’ Joy let the question hang.
    â€˜Tea,’ Toby said. ‘Hopefully, some sandwiches too. I’m starved.’
    They all trooped back into the main hall. A table had been set up near to the fire, and Melissa was busy dragging seats over. Tim and Viv moved to help. Toby spotted the tea and coffee and hot-water jugs set out on the console table.
    â€˜So,’ he said. ‘I’ll be mother, shall I? Mrs Martin, what would you like?’
    â€˜Rina, call me Rina, and I’d like some tea, please. No sugar.’
    Sandwiches and cakes had been laid out on the table. Melissa smiled at her. ‘Glad you’ve met people. Dinner will be at seven, but I hope this will hold you all until then.’ Another bright smile and she was gone. Rina was relieved they had been spared the jazz hands this time.
    â€˜What does she actually do?’ Joy asked.
    â€˜Ah, Melissa, well, she actually runs this place.