Read Murder on the Hour for Free Online Page A

to really study it, yet.” He folded it in half and put it back in his pocket.
    Evan Hughes was the first to leave. “The missus wants me home early tonight to put together some new shelving for her flower arranging room. Have you seen how complicated the instructions are for something like that?” He shook his head. “Well, good night, lads. See you soon.” The men said good night and he opened the door and was gone. As he left, two newcomers entered the pub.
    Haydn waved at Penny Brannigan, who was accompanied by Emyr Gruffydd, the local landowner who was well known to everyone in the pub. They all called out greetings to him as he and Penny made their way to a quiet table in the corner.
    â€œWhat are you having, Penny?” he asked.
    â€œOh, a glass of white would be perfect, thanks.”
    He rejoined her at the table a few minutes later with a glass of wine in each hand. He set hers down in front of her, and then sat down.
    â€œRight,” he said, “as he raised his glass to her. “How are things going for Antiques Cymru ? No problems, I hope.”
    â€œEverything’s going very well,” she replied. “The show obviously has a lot of experience with this sort of thing and is very clear about what they need from us. Which isn’t much. They’re providing everything and doing everything, so all I need do is be there early in the morning just to make sure the production team has everything it needs.”
    â€œGood. I knew when I asked you to take this on that I could count on you.”
    â€œThe logistics are fine,” said Penny. “It’s the weather I’m worried about.”
    â€œI expect they’ve dealt with a bit of rain before,” said Emyr. “But let’s hope for a sunny day.”

 
    Seven
    Catrin had been pleasantly surprised to discover that letting go of a long friendship was easier than she’d thought it would be. When she hadn’t heard from Tegwen for over a month, she picked up the phone several times to call her, then each time set the phone down again, the call unmade. Calling Tegwen wasn’t something she wanted to do; it felt like a duty or obligation. And the longer she put off doing it, the less she wanted to do it.
    Her life had moved on in another important way, too, and one that she couldn’t have imagined just a few weeks earlier. She couldn’t believe her luck when the local chemist offered her a part-time job behind the makeup counter.
    â€œMy wife suggested we offer you the job,” the chemist said when he hired her. “She thought that since you spend so much time in front of our makeup counter, you’d do very well behind it. She wants to spend more time at home, so we’ll see how things work out. If you get on well, this could become full time.”
    Catrin always arrived a few minutes early for work, eager to slip on her crisp, white smock. The anticipation and excitement of cutting open the small brown boxes and pulling out a dozen lipsticks or packets of eye shadow in the newest shades felt better than Christmas. She enjoyed arranging the products on the shelves in appealing, artistic displays. But most of all, she loved helping customers find the product that was perfect for their colouring, lifestyle, and budget. It wasn’t long until women began heading straight to the makeup counter for a consultation before dropping off their prescription.
    Within a couple of weeks the chemist had told Catrin sales were up considerably and he was very pleased with her work.
    â€œKeep that up Catrin,” he’d said, “and my wife will find herself out of a job.”
    â€œCan’t come soon enough,” laughed his wife with a warm smile at her protégée. Catrin blushed and went back to her task of preparing their order of summer products.
    â€œCoral will be the next big lipstick colour,” she said to the chemist’s wife. “Should I order