Indefensible (DI Sara Ramsey Book 12), M Comley [world of reading TXT] 📗

to her cheating husband, but very little else. We’re going to head off now.”

“I bet that was a joy to hear. Okay, I’ll be in touch soon. Remember, no self-recriminations, okay?”

“Yes, yes. I promise. Speak to you later.”

Sara followed Carla back to her car. “You’ll have to lead the way. I don’t have a clue where I’m going.”

“If we park at the end of this road, we can set off on foot. It’s not too far to walk.”

“Sounds good to me.”

They jumped in their respective cars and drove up the road, pulled over and joined up again to continue the rest of the journey on foot. Sara’s stomach rumbled. “Have you ever eaten at this place?”

“No. But I know plenty who have and who can vouch for its food.”

“That’s good enough for me. Fancy a fry-up?”

“Yum, a fry-up in a greasy spoon to start our day, why not?” Carla said, an unexpected note of sarcasm edging her tone.

“That told me. The choice is yours. I’m going to need something substantial to see me through the rest of the day.”

“I don’t know where you put it. You never pile on the weight either.”

“That’s debatable. I’d go into how I manage to burn off calories every day, but I’ll spare your blushes.”

Carla laughed. “You’re such a bragger at times, without even realising you’re doing it.”

Sara chuckled. “I knew exactly what I was saying. Let’s see what this place has to offer, then.”

They walked in and Sara felt out of place immediately. The tables were full of what appeared to be builders, judging by the state of their clothes. Every one of the men watched them take their seats at the table. A petite woman in her early fifties came over to the table before they’d even had a chance to look at the menu propped up between the salt and pepper pots.

“What can I get you, ladies?” She held a notepad and pen, awaiting their response; at the same time, her foot started tapping on the tiled floor.

“Two white coffees with one sugar to start with. What do you recommend?”

“Oh, right, yeah, the full English is what we’re the most famous for. You want everything with that?”

“What does it include?” Sara asked, at the same time running a finger around her waistband to see if there was any room for the upcoming onslaught.

“Usual—bacon, sausage, fried eggs, beans, black pudding, fried bread plus toast. Is that all right?”

“Sounds fantastic, everything but black pudding for me. No offence, it’s just not something I’ve enjoyed in the past.”

“Whatever. Each to their own. What about you?” The waitress pointed her pen at Carla.

“I’ll have the same as she’s having. Thanks.”

“Good choice, except you’re going to regret not having the black pudding. I’ll be back in a mo with your coffees.”

“Thanks,” Sara replied. She watched the woman go back behind the counter and then wagged her finger at Carla. “You should be ashamed of yourself, turning down the black pudding.”

Carla raised her eyebrows. “Only following your lead, boss. I’m shuddering at the thought of eating it. I did try it once and thought it was foul. Not going there again anytime soon.”

The coffee arrived a few moments later, as promised. There was no faulting the quality of the service. Sara found herself running a paper serviette around the side of her cup.

“What are you doing? Stop it. She’s coming this way,” Carla warned in a hushed voice.

The waitress put their breakfasts down on sparkling clean plates. “Any sauces? Your toast is just coming.”

“Ketchup for me, thanks,” Sara replied.

“Yeah, me too.”

The waitress left and returned with four rounds of toast and a bottle of Heinz ketchup which she placed in the centre of the table. “There you go. Enjoy.” She took two paces then flung over her shoulder, “Oh, and by the way, we rinse and double rinse all the cups, always have done, so there’s really no need for you to wipe them again, lovey.” The waitress marched off.

Laughter reverberated all around them and Sara’s cheeks flushed. “Crap, was I that obvious? It’s just a habit of mine, I do it everywhere, you know, since the bloody pandemic.”

Carla sniggered and squirted her breakfast with ketchup. “Well, I did try and warn you. Thanks for embarrassing us like that.”

“Shit, sorry. I’m going to apologise to her after we’ve eaten.”

“I wouldn’t bother. Tuck in before it gets cold.” Carla took a mouthful of sausage and moaned. “Oh my God, I haven’t tasted anything this good in bloody ages.”

Sara tried hers and let out a satisfied moan of her own. “You’re not wrong. Crap, we can’t afford this to be a regular haunt of ours, we’d soon end up looking like some of these guys.”

Carla almost choked on the coffee she’d just taken a sip of. “Haven’t you dished out enough insults for today? You keep saying things like that and we’ll get thrown out.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it. It was only an observation. It is delicious, good choice coming here. Why haven’t you mentioned this place before?”

“It never occurred to me. We were up the road and it just came to mind. Shh… I want to eat it while it’s still hot.”

They both fell silent and finished off what was sitting on their plates, after which, Sara picked up a slice of toast slathered in butter and nibbled on it.

“You can’t be serious?” Carla said, puffing out her cheeks and leaning back in her chair.

“What? I hate wasting food. It’s good, proper bread. I wonder if they bake it on the premises.”

“I suppose you could ask her that when you go up and apologise.”

Sara pulled a face at her partner and continued to eat the chunk of toast. She pushed the rest away and downed the remainder of her coffee. “Best breakfast or meal out I’ve had in ages.”

“Glad to hear you say that,” the waitress said, appearing beside her to clear their plates.

“I have an apology to make. I didn’t mean to cause offence, I do that