Read Online The Cat Who Wasn't a Dog by Marian Babson - Free Book Online

had cooked, of course.
    â€˜It’s just one of my little ways . . ’ Evangeline paused for the encouragement which was immediately forthcoming.
    â€˜Yes?’ Jocasta breathed, leaning forward so as not to miss a syllable of the great revelation. ‘Yes …?’
    â€˜I don’t know of anyone else who does it. I’ve never seen it mentioned in any cookbook …’
    â€˜Yes? Yes?’
    â€˜But, whenever I’m going to do any cooking, I always wash my hands with oatmeal soap.’
    Well, that explained why I’d never seen any oatmeal soap in the house.
    â€˜Oh, yes!’ Jocasta was buying it unreservedly. ‘Oh, I knew I could depend on you for real gourmet secrets! What a splendid idea!’
    Martha closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair. I felt a little dizzy myself.
    â€˜Oh, please, don’t stop there!’ Jocasta produced a small notebook from her handbag and began scribbling rapidly. ‘Go on. What other wonderful tips have you?’
    â€˜Oh, I don’t know …’ Evangeline demurred, trying to look modest, while her eyes shifted uneasily. She’d shot her bolt and she knew it and she knew I knew it. ‘I’ll have to think.’
    â€˜Actually – ’ Martha deflected Jocasta’s attention – ‘Mother is the real cook around here. She’ll have dozens of good tips.’
    â€˜One I’ve found really useful – ’ I picked up on my cue – ‘is knowing that in almost all savoury and spicy dishes, curries and the like, when the recipe calls for an apple, you can substitute a carrot instead. You’re often more likely to have carrots around than apples.’
    â€˜Mmm, yes.’ Jocasta entered the note unenthusiastically. It obviously wasn’t gourmet and glamorous enough for her. I got the feeling I was being downmarket again. Perhaps I should have suggested kiwi fruit.
    â€˜And you …?’ She turned back to Evangeline expectantly, hoping for more priceless words of wisdom.
    â€˜My head …’ Evangeline brushed a hand across her forehead and swayed weakly. ‘I’m sorry …’ She rose, still swaying. ‘I’m so afraid I have one of my headaches coming on. I must go and lie down.’
    A cellphone burbled suddenly and Evangeline nearly gave the game away by the alacrity with which she dived for a handbag she had forgotten she’d left in her room.
    â€˜Hello? Oh, yes, darling.’ It was Martha’s phone. ‘Yes, yes, I see. Of course, right away … . Yes, I’ll tell them.’ She looked up. ‘Hugh sends his love.’
    â€˜And ours to him,’ I responded. Evangeline snorted.
    â€˜I’m sorry, but we’ll have to leave now.’ Martha turned to Jocasta. ‘My husband has had overseas friends arrive unexpectedly. We’ll have to entertain them.’ She stood and pecked at my cheek. ‘I’ll get back to you later on this.’
    â€˜Don’t forget, we’ll be going down to Brighton for Dame Cecile’s opening,’ I reminded her. ‘We’ll be there overnight. Matilda has invited us to stay with her.’
    â€˜Dame Cecile Savoy and Matilda Jordan?’ Jocasta was revitalized. ‘They go back to the great days of touring companies and theatrical digs. Oh, I’ll bet they’d have some marvellous recipes for the book!’
    â€˜Mmm.’ I thought of Matilda’s neglected fridge and declined to commit myself. Not so Evangeline.
    â€˜Yes, indeed!’ She paused in the doorway and turned back to Jocasta with the radiant smile she displays when selling someone down the river.
    â€˜Oh, you’ll find Dame Cecile a positive gold mine of culinary wisdom!’

Chapter Six
    â€˜Look at that!’ It wasn’t long after they had left when Eddie arrived. ‘Look at that!’ He stormed past me as I opened the door and rushed into the drawing