Mai Griffin
Pat always tackled the kitchen last, so Polly decided
to stay out of Sarah’s way and cook. Sausage rolls would
go well with the beer the men were sure to want, later.
Sarah received a call from Clarrie in the early afternoon,
confirming that they were safely back home and then,
later, a longer call from her friend Maud, even though
they would be playing Bridge together the following
morning.
Maud only ever gossiped over the phone ...too many
ears around the tables, she averred. Before ringing off,
she asked if Sarah’s secret life was still quiet. Sarah
knew what she meant.
Like all her close friends, Maud knew that she was
psychic, but never referred to it other than obliquely
...after all, one never knew who was within hearing! She
seemed obsessed by the idea that eager eavesdroppers
were constantly after her secrets. Sarah never discussed
such things anyway with friends, or indeed with anyone
not directly involved, so escaped quickly by saying that
guests were expected, and she had to go. Fortuitously,
the doorbell sounded as she spoke, so her excuse was
real.
The serenity Sarah displayed when Gavin
introduced Dave belied her inner eagerness to hear
Dave’s story. Since seeing the ghostly dog, she was
certain that it would not be a tissue of lies and hoped
that she would be able to help him. She would certainly
try.
17