Kat shuddered at the thought. Then imagined Coates on that sleeper train south to the sun.
“Jenny was well out of it too then,” she said. “She definitely didn’t help Coates?”
“Seems she was telling the truth,” said Harry. “Aunt Lavinia thinks she saw Coates doing a dry-run of the whole thing a week or so back – but definitely no sign of Jenny.”
“Good. I’m glad. She’s a sweet kid.”
“She is – and being consoled by the under-gardener, so I hear.”
“Ah, how fickle is young love,” said Kat, draining her glass. “Hmm, Harry – I’m hungry.”
“Me too,” said Harry, putting down his glass and standing. “Maggie said that stew is ready – whenever we want it.”
“Can’t wait.”
“Eat in – or out here?”
“Definitely out here,” said Kat. “Let’s eat, and drink wine and stay up until it’s dark.”
“Not too late,” said Harry, giving her a kiss.
She laughed: “Oh no, not too late. We do have… some catching up to do…”
“And plenty of time for it too,” he said. “Should be nice and quiet this week.”
“Not too quiet, I hope,” said Kat. “This last day or two – you know, it’s been fun, hasn’t it?”
“Eventful, that’s for sure. Wouldn’t want it every day.”
“Of course. Your work in London? That’s bound to be boring, hmm?”
And at that, she saw Harry look over. With an amazing grin.
“Oh yes. That’s another thing. Didn’t have time to mention to you. Turns out that may not be quite as boring as—”
From inside the house came the loud ring of the telephone.
“Good Lord,” said Harry. “Seems we’re connected! At last! Wonder who that can be?”
Kat waited while he went inside the house to answer the call.
She looked around the garden, imagining her future here. All kinds of possible futures, events, experiences to come.
Seeing the garden full of people – friends, family, visitors – maybe children laughing, playing.
She and Harry growing older. Growing even closer.
“Well, there’s a thing,” said Harry, emerging again onto the terrace.
“Who was it?”
“The vicar,” said Harry.
“Gosh,” said Kat. “Only home a couple of days and they already want you back in the church choir, hmm?”
“Not quite, said Harry. “He wants us to pop over tomorrow. Have a chat.”
“Me too?”
“Oh, especially you. Seems he’s heard about our exploits – or rather, your exploits – up at the manor house. Wants to catch up with me too. But he has a problem, apparently. And he thinks we might be able to help.”
“What kind of a problem?” said Kat.
“Didn’t say. But he did say it was quite serious.”
Kat looked at Harry, curious. He shrugged, clearly as baffled as she was.
“Okay. And what did you say to him, Harry?”
“Why I said we’d be over straight after breakfast.”
She laughed. “Right answer.”
He laughed too, then put his arm around her.
“Come on, let’s get that stew. Can’t deal with, um, all we may have to deal with on an empty stomach, now, can we?”
And together they went into the Dower House.
What other surprises will the little town of Mydworth throw at us in the years to come? thought Kat.
I do like surprises.
END
Mydworth Mysteries Episode 2
A young poacher is found shot dead in the woods of a grand estate near Mydworth. A sad accident it would seem. But the boy’s mother is convinced it is murder and when Harry and Kat investigate, they find the poacher’s life was not as innocent as he made out…
A Little Night Murder
MYDWORTH MYSTERIES
by Matthew Costello & Neil Richards
From Cherringham to Mydworth – An Interview with Matthew Costello and Neil Richards
You’ve been writing Cherringham together for quite some time now. Can you tell us, what has that been like?
Neil:
Five years ago, Matt and I started the first Cherringham story – Murder on Thames. It’s amazing now to think we’ve written thirty-five Cherringham novellas and two novels, and that nearly thirty audiobooks have been recorded. The series has thousands of fans. Matt and I are fans too – we love the world we’ve created, and we still love exploring it in every new story. We’re big fans of Jack and Sarah and the other regular characters who have now become like old friends. In fact, when we visit the actual locations for Cherringham in the Cotswolds – we really expect to see our characters, and sometimes we’re disappointed when we don’t! Luckily, that world isn’t going away: we’ve plenty more stories lined up which will be released over the next few years.
Matt:
And that for me is the most amazing thing about “our” village and our characters. That the stories keep coming. The characters are now as real for us as they may be for many of our readers. Writing a Cherringham episode is like visiting this incredible, warm, wonderful (albeit sometimes murderous!) place. I think for both of us, it’s as though we have our real life, and then this alternate existence, tucked away in a perfect Cotswolds village – Cherringham.
And now you are about to launch a brand new series, “Mydworth Mysteries”. Can you tell us what your readers can expect?
Neil:
We’re very excited about Mydworth Mysteries. It’s set in a fictional small town in Sussex in 1929, featuring an Englishman, Sir Harry Mortimer, and his American wife, Kat. So... what was the inspiration? And why did we feel the need to build a whole new world – set in the twenties? Well, first – it’s an era before social media, smartphones, TVs and hi-tech. An era of great cars, wonderful clothes, exciting new discoveries and social change. And women were making advances in gaining rights and equality. But – and this is where many of our stories will come from – it was also a time that had a darker side, with so many lingering social problems after the Great War; and the legacy of the Depression is everywhere. A great setting in which to write crime!
Matt:
Let’s not ignore the allure of time travel. We live in a very modern world, and Jack and Sarah live in it as well. That world evolves. Sarah’s children have grown. Cherringham is very much a realistic here and now. But which of us hasn’t imagined a fantasy of times gone by? The simpler – and yet more complicated – life? Mydworth is such a world – in our minds – peopled with witty folk of high society, repartee at the ready; driving the classic cars of the period. And where there are no smartphones and selfies – no Googling. Solving a mystery could be so very challenging and exciting.
Neil:
And also, (and this was so very tempting!) it’s a world where we could have a little more adventure, more thrills – car chases even – more action.
Apart from the historical setting, what else is special about the town of Mydworth and – of course – the characters?
Matt:
The new series is a chance for us to explore, even further, the idea of a Yank in the UK – this time thrown into the very proper world of landed estates and titles. The fact that Kat (or Lady Mortimer, as she is politely known) is a strong, smart and beautiful woman who comes from the Bronx, makes that “clash” of worlds and culture so appealing to play with. From the get-go, we immediately liked Harry and Kat – two characters who love each other and are great pals. And we think readers will as well.
Neil:
We’ll also get the chance to introduce real people into the stories – writers, actors, politicians, singers, aviators – even royalty… Who knew so many celebrities passed through Mydworth back in the day?
Matt:
And, like Cherringham, Mydworth Mysteries immediately began suggesting memorable characters who fitted the world and time of 1929. Harry a
nd Kat also make use of their London pied-a-terre – an opportunity to experience that great city at the tail end of the Roaring Twenties. For readers, the time machine awaits, as does adventure, romance, cocktails and – you can be sure – mystery.
What did you think?
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Happy reading!
Mydworth Mysteries - A Shot in the Dark (A Cosy Historical Mystery Series Book 1) Page 12