Death on the Coast, M Comley [book club books TXT] 📗

would’ve loved to have helped her prepare something a little nicer.”

Mark’s eyebrows rose. “Are you saying you don’t approve?”

“No, no, nothing like that. Not that it would matter if I didn’t, anyway. Tina’s already showing, and the wedding is still two months away.”

“So, you don’t approve.”

“You’re not listening to me, I said that’s not it at all. It just would’ve been nicer if she could have had a shower, a bachelorette party—you know what I mean.”

“Sounds to me like you’re going to be embarrassed by her in a wedding gown with a baby bump. Lucy, don’t be so old-fashioned. The simple fact they’re getting married says a lot. You’d be surprised how many single mothers there are in the high school right now.”

“Oh, that’s comforting,” she answered with an acid-tinged tone.

“Don’t spoil things for her,” he cautioned.

Lucy dropped her fork onto her plate and pushed away from the table. “I’ll try to mind my manners,” she spat and picked up her things. So much for a romantic dinner. Mark’s condescension irritated her.

“Look, I didn’t mean to start anything,” he apologized, but it was too late for that; the words had been aired.

“Didn’t you? Oh, ignore me, I’m going to give her a call and see how things are going.”

Lucy left the dining room, shoved her plate into the sink, grabbed her phone, then headed for the privacy of the living room. Images of Brendon, his eyes full of longing, flitted through her mind. It wasn’t fair to compare Mark and Brendon, but nothing in life was fair.

“Tina, it’s me. Mark and I just finished dinner, and I wanted to call to see how things are going for you?”

“Oh, it’s so good to hear from you, you have no idea. I’m about to lose it. Hey, but first, I was so sorry to hear about Angie. How terrible that must have been. I know she was your friend. The gossip around the village is that you’re trying to find some clues as to who the perpetrator is. Such a ghastly thing to have happened on our doorstep. I’d like to help, but I wouldn’t know which way to turn first…”

“Whoa, Tina, slow down. It’s not good for you or the baby to work yourself up into such a state. Yes, all this about Angie is regrettable, such a heinous act, and I’m doing my best to help the police. But that’s not why I called. I wanted to know what I can do to help you with the wedding.”

“Oh, you’ve already got so much on your hands. I can’t add to your woes.”

“Hey, you’re my sister. Of course I want to help you. You come first. Now, will you relax a little and let me assist you?”

“I know you mean well, but…”

“Tina! Stop. I’m here and want to help. Use me, please?”

“Uhh! You’re a godsend. Okay, yes, I’ll slow down.”

“Good, because it won’t help things if you get sick. You’re about to become a mom, and your first responsibility is to that baby.”

“Yes, okay, I suppose you’re right.”

“So, how can I help?”

Tina hesitated and let out several breaths. Lucy figured her sister was mentally sorting through the tasks to be completed in her mind. “How about the flowers? Then you can come with me to find a dress and figure out how to set up the buffet? You know everyone is bringing a dish, don’t you?”

“No problem. What if we sort out the dress first in case it needs altering—I may even do that myself? Then we’ll check out the venue and figure out the table plans, and that will give me a better idea with the flowers. What do you think about using wildflowers? We could gather and even dry them together. That would save a lot of money.”

“Oooh, I like that idea. See? Why didn’t I just come to my big sis to begin with?”

“I don’t know, Tina. I’m always here for you. You remember that, okay? Things are likely to be tough for you for a while. Just remember what I said, call me, I’m always just a phone call away.”

“I will, I promise. Are you free on Monday afternoon? What about meeting me at Buntings around two?”

“I’ll be there. Now, put your feet up and don’t do anything more strenuous than making a list, promise?”

“I promise.”

Lucy ended the call and immediately rang her mother, Sheila. “It’s me.”

It sounded like her mother took a few puffs on her cigarette; there was never one far from her lips. “Hello, dear. How are things with you? Any news on the Angie case?”

“No, not really. They’re just checking for suspects.”

“Something tells me you’re in the middle of it, as usual.”

“That’s what a good reporter does, Mom,” Lucy replied.

“I suppose. So, what do you need?”

Her mother’s voice was strained, her words came out slow and deliberate. Sheila had been in a state of depression since the death of Lucy’s father.

“I was hoping you’d help me with Tina’s wedding. She’s overwhelmed, as you can imagine. Interested in shopping for flowers?”

Her mother loved gardening, so Lucy thought it would be a treat for her to be involved.

“I suppose, yes,” Sheila responded lazily. “If I can stop thinking about the debts I’ve got for a while.”

“Debts? You mentioned you were tight but I didn’t realize you were in debt, Mom.”

Lucy rolled her eyes, thinking this was a ploy by her mother to get the attention back on her once more, something she always had a knack for doing. She swiftly turned her attention back to her sister.

“I’m meeting with her to pick out a dress and then we’ll get back with you on the flowers. Thanks, Mom. Tina needs us right now.”

“Sure,” her mother said sharply.

Lucy suspected her mother wanted to continue to bask in her own neediness; she’d grown accustomed to it. To have both of the women in her family so needy was more than Lucy needed at the moment. Maybe the wedding was predestined to bring them together and reshuffle the deck