Read Online ON DEVIL'S BRAE (A Psychological Suspense Thriller) (Dark Minds Mystery Suspense) by Faith Mortimer - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Faith Mortimer
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relaxing. I have been under some strain just lately, and I know I’m edgy, but thank you for your concern. I’m determined to get over my problems.”
“It’s me who should apologise. You must think I’m a right know-it-all, but the truth is I once knew someone who suffered badly. It was an awful time watching them being eaten away.” Angus gave a ghost of a smile, and Cassandra wondered who it was who had hurt him so badly. A relative, perhaps, or a close friend?
“If you remember, I’ve also just lost my sister,” she said in a soft voice.
“Yes, of course, it must have come as a great shock. She wasn’t that old.”
“No, fifty-seven. But what you don’t know is that I never really knew her.” Cassandra swallowed as she felt a lump begin in her throat. She stared into the fire. “Susan left home when I was a baby. She was seventeen, and I only met her for the first time last year. We were virtual strangers.”
When Angus looked surprised, Cassandra continued. “The awful thing is I never bothered to try to find out about her. I meant to, but my parents always put me off. There was something bad between them. I know it’s no excuse, and I should have had the bottle to ignore their wishes and make enquiries. It surely wouldn’t have been difficult, since she was a sculptor, and I could easily have looked up her work earlier on. Now she’s dead, and we never got to really know each other. What a waste,” she said, blinking back her tears and sniffing.
“But you did get to meet her in the end?” Angus asked in a soft voice.
“Yes.”
He produced a snowy-white linen handkerchief and held it out. “Would you like to see some of her work? I don’t mean the bits and pieces she left you in the cottage…her more important efforts. Susan’s proper work.”
Surprised, Cassandra lifted her head and nodded. “Really?”
“Yes. There’s an exhibition being held in Edinburgh at the moment. They often feature local artists, and this time it’s your sister’s turn. It’s only a short drive away. I’ve been meaning to visit, and I’d be delighted to have you accompany me, if you’d like to.”
“That…that would be fabulous.”
“Bravo! Then it’s settled. I think it will do you good. Leave it to me to check out the times, and I’ll pop by and let you know.”
“Did you know my sister well?”
“Not very well. Our paths didn’t cross often. I spend time away from Inverdarroch, and Susan was a very private person. She spent a lot of time working at home, indoors.”
“What about visitors? Or the other neighbours?”
He seemed cautious, shaking his head and frowning. “I don’t remember seeing many visitors. She obviously had a few friends call in from time to time, but you’ll have to ask the others for more information. In all honesty, I don’t think she entertained much during the time I knew her. Of course, it might have been different when she was younger. Now, forget the tea. How about a drink? A wee dram?”
Cassandra stirred, wiped her face, and pushed the hankie into her pocket. “I’ll wash and return it. No, thank you, I must be going, and I’m sure you have things to do.”
He shook his head. “Nothing important, you’re most welcome, but it’s up to you.”
She shook her head. “You’re very kind, but I must get back and check my fire’s all right. It’s the only heating I have, unlike you and your lovely mod cons,” she said shyly, casting her hand around the room, indicating the radiators and thick carpet. She stood up and turned towards the hall. “Thank you for the tea and sympathy. I’m not usually so pathetic, you know.”
“I think nothing of the sort. You were frightened and I’m glad I found you. If you have any problems, please come and see me. I’d hate to think you’re worried about something and have no one to talk to. I’m not amazing with a screwdriver, but I am willing, and failing that, I can always put you in touch with someone
“It’s me who should apologise. You must think I’m a right know-it-all, but the truth is I once knew someone who suffered badly. It was an awful time watching them being eaten away.” Angus gave a ghost of a smile, and Cassandra wondered who it was who had hurt him so badly. A relative, perhaps, or a close friend?
“If you remember, I’ve also just lost my sister,” she said in a soft voice.
“Yes, of course, it must have come as a great shock. She wasn’t that old.”
“No, fifty-seven. But what you don’t know is that I never really knew her.” Cassandra swallowed as she felt a lump begin in her throat. She stared into the fire. “Susan left home when I was a baby. She was seventeen, and I only met her for the first time last year. We were virtual strangers.”
When Angus looked surprised, Cassandra continued. “The awful thing is I never bothered to try to find out about her. I meant to, but my parents always put me off. There was something bad between them. I know it’s no excuse, and I should have had the bottle to ignore their wishes and make enquiries. It surely wouldn’t have been difficult, since she was a sculptor, and I could easily have looked up her work earlier on. Now she’s dead, and we never got to really know each other. What a waste,” she said, blinking back her tears and sniffing.
“But you did get to meet her in the end?” Angus asked in a soft voice.
“Yes.”
He produced a snowy-white linen handkerchief and held it out. “Would you like to see some of her work? I don’t mean the bits and pieces she left you in the cottage…her more important efforts. Susan’s proper work.”
Surprised, Cassandra lifted her head and nodded. “Really?”
“Yes. There’s an exhibition being held in Edinburgh at the moment. They often feature local artists, and this time it’s your sister’s turn. It’s only a short drive away. I’ve been meaning to visit, and I’d be delighted to have you accompany me, if you’d like to.”
“That…that would be fabulous.”
“Bravo! Then it’s settled. I think it will do you good. Leave it to me to check out the times, and I’ll pop by and let you know.”
“Did you know my sister well?”
“Not very well. Our paths didn’t cross often. I spend time away from Inverdarroch, and Susan was a very private person. She spent a lot of time working at home, indoors.”
“What about visitors? Or the other neighbours?”
He seemed cautious, shaking his head and frowning. “I don’t remember seeing many visitors. She obviously had a few friends call in from time to time, but you’ll have to ask the others for more information. In all honesty, I don’t think she entertained much during the time I knew her. Of course, it might have been different when she was younger. Now, forget the tea. How about a drink? A wee dram?”
Cassandra stirred, wiped her face, and pushed the hankie into her pocket. “I’ll wash and return it. No, thank you, I must be going, and I’m sure you have things to do.”
He shook his head. “Nothing important, you’re most welcome, but it’s up to you.”
She shook her head. “You’re very kind, but I must get back and check my fire’s all right. It’s the only heating I have, unlike you and your lovely mod cons,” she said shyly, casting her hand around the room, indicating the radiators and thick carpet. She stood up and turned towards the hall. “Thank you for the tea and sympathy. I’m not usually so pathetic, you know.”
“I think nothing of the sort. You were frightened and I’m glad I found you. If you have any problems, please come and see me. I’d hate to think you’re worried about something and have no one to talk to. I’m not amazing with a screwdriver, but I am willing, and failing that, I can always put you in touch with someone
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