Haunting Echoes
Never mind , she was happy with the place they recommended . Mrs Lynch was anxious to ensure that her new guest wanted for nothing . Visitors were expected next month apparently but , for now , she had only Clarrie to fuss over and she started the minute Clarrie shut the front door .
“ My brother-in-law will be back soon – he ’ ll carry everything up to your room , don ’ t struggle with the case now , it looks heavy . Come and have a cup of tea to warm yourself up . I ’ ve baked too , so there ’ s chocolate cake .”
It was easier to accept than argue , so Clarrie just took the painting upstairs and propped it where it could lean safely , before joining her hostess in the kitchen . Mrs Lynch resumed her conversational flow from where she left off and waved her hand towards the table , where a plate of sandwiches had joined the promised cake . “ He does like his chocolate ,” she said , “ just like my late husband , God rest his soul .” A pot of tea waited under a flowery tea cosy and as she placed teacups on the table , she wound up at last by saying please call me Doris and then asking how Clarrie had fared outside all day .
It was over an hour before Clarrie managed to impart enough of her personal details to satisfy Doris ’ s curiosity and escape upstairs . The chocolate-lover must have returned because her workbox was in her room , so she was pleased to be able to set about cleaning brushes . While swishing them in white spirit and adding water to her soap-jar , Clarrie was careful not to let any paint come into contact with the sparklingly white vanity unit and it was almost therapeutic rolling the brushes clean in the palm of her hand . Later , she would wander round to the Wench ’ s Arms ; now , all she needed was to lie down and rest .
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