“Welcome to Tweaking Tea Rooms,” she gabbled. “We have a free window table at the moment if you’d like it.”
I glanced around and, once again, the tea room was deserted, except of course for Miss Drinkwater who was sitting guard by the counter.
“I’ll just have a cup of tea, please,” I said.
“Same for me.” Donna nodded.
The waitress looked relieved that we’d ordered so promptly.
“Is that the owner?” Donna whispered. “Over by the counter?”
“Yeah, that’s her. Miss Drinkwater. She terrorises these poor waitresses.”
A couple of minutes later, our tea arrived, and Donna began to fill me in on her background. She worked as a midwife and her husband was an engineer.
“I have to say, Jill, it’s nice to know there’s another sup in the village. Ronnie and I were beginning to wonder if we’d made a mistake by moving here.”
“Where did you used to live?”
“In an apartment in Washbridge. We thought village life would be better for Wendy, but it came as something of a surprise when we got here, and discovered we were the only sups. By the way, I don’t know if Florence mentioned it, but Wendy would love for her to come over to our house to play some time.”
“That would be lovely. And Wendy is more than welcome to come to ours. Does she like dogs?”
“Wendy? She loves them. What kind do you have?”
“A Chihuahua named Buddy. We’ve only had him for a few days. Florence told me that Wendy has a rat?”
“She does. Ratty. He’s a lovely little thing. Very friendly.”
“I hope you don’t mind me asking this, Donna, but does Wendy know she’s a werewolf?”
“Of course. It’s not really something you can hide.”
“I guess not.”
“We always take her back to Candlefield during the full moon. What about Florence? Does she know she’s a witch?”
“Yes, she does.”
“That must be very difficult. With your husband being a human, I mean?”
“It can be.”
We chatted for another twenty minutes and we were just about to leave when my phone buzzed. When I saw who it was, I cancelled the call.
“Just my new accountant.” I rolled my eyes. “She and I didn’t really hit it off. I’m going to have to find a new one.”
“Have you considered using Mr Bacus?”
“Who’s he?”
“I can’t vouch for his work, but he’s a nice old guy. We’ve met him a few times in the pub.”
“Is he local, then?”
“Yes. He lives somewhere near the church, I believe. It might be worth talking to him.”
“Thanks, Donna. I might just do that.”
***
Jack must have spotted me through the window because even before I reached the gate, both he and Florence appeared in the doorway. Florence came running down the path and threw herself into my arms.
“Mummy! Why is Buddy so slow?” She demanded to know.
“Because he’s only a tiny dog with short legs.”
“My friend, Andrew, has a small dog called Rum. Andrew says Rum runs really fast after the ball when he throws it. Why won’t Buddy? He just walks really slowly.”
“Would you like me to have another word with him? Maybe, I can give him some tips to make him go faster?”
“Yes, please.”
“Anyway, darling, did you have a nice day at school?”
“Yes. Miss Soap asked if Daddy was going to pick me up today.”
“Did she really?” I glanced over at Jack. “That was very nice of her, wasn’t it?” I picked Florence up and carried her to the door. “Florence tells me that her teacher was asking after you today.”
“Was she?” He shrugged, nonchalantly.
“Can I go and play with my dolls’ house, Mummy?”
“Of course you can, darling.” I put her down, and she ran into the house and up the stairs.
“So, Jack, how was Miss Hope?”
“Same as usual. She told me that Florence had been a good girl and she’d been working very hard.”
“Did she tell you that she’d missed you the other day?”
“You’re not jealous, are you?”
“Of course not. I know you’d never look at another woman when you have me.”
“Because you’re so beautiful and smart, I suppose?”
“Obviously there’s that, but also because I’d turn you into a cockroach if you did. Anyway, I’ve just been talking to Wendy’s mum.”
“Is Wendy the big girl from the dance class?”
“Yeah. Her mum’s name is Donna. She seems really nice.”
“What did she have to say?”
“That she was glad they weren’t the only sups in the village.”
“She’s a sup?”
“Yeah. The whole family are werewolves.”
“You didn’t mention it on Saturday.”
“Sorry, I intended to, but I forgot all about it. She and I have just been for a cup of tea in the tea room.”
“Tweaking Tea Rooms? Whatever possessed you to go back there?”
“It wasn’t my idea. Donna said she fancied a drink.”
“Was the ogre on duty?”
“Yes, and we got the icy stare treatment. Apparently, Donna and her husband used to live in Washbridge city centre. She asked if Florence could go over to their house to play sometime. I said she could, and that Wendy was welcome to come over here too.”
“That’ll be nice for Florence.”
“I’m starving. How long’s dinner?”
“Another twenty minutes.”
“Right. While you’re seeing to that, I’ll have a word with that Chihuahua. Where is Buddy?”
“He’s out in the back garden.”
“Hey, you!” I shouted at the dozing dog.
“Do you mind?” He glanced up. “I was fast asleep.”
“Tough. I thought you and I had struck a deal.”
“We did. I’ve been playing with the little squirt, haven’t I?”
“Less of the little squirt. Her name is Florence. You need to show more enthusiasm. When she throws the
