Read Online The Patterson Girls by Rachael Johns - Free Book Online Page A

hands up and down her arms as if cold. ‘I was trying to be nice and she looked like she wanted to put a hex on me.’
    Lucinda laughed. ‘You’ve listened to far too many schoolyard stories. I’m surprised that old hermit’s still alive. She seemed ancient even when we were kids. And I’m sure she’s not really a witch.’
    â€˜She might be,’ Charlie said, ‘but even if she is, real witches aren’t like the one that poisoned Snow White, so I wouldn’t stress about her. As Madeleine said, you frightened her.’
    â€˜Yes, I’m sure her bark is worse than her bite,’ exclaimed Madeleine, laughing.
    â€˜Do you want me to make you a coffee?’ Lucinda could tell Abigail was genuinely spooked. ‘I was about to make a plunger.’
    â€˜Thanks.’ Abigail smiled gratefully up at her.
    Lucinda refilled the kettle.
    â€˜Right … I’m going back to my meditation,’ Charlie announced, before looking to Lucinda. ‘Do you still want to get stuck into Mum’s things today?’
    â€˜Yep. I think so. What say we all meet back here after lunch. I’m going to the supermarket to get supplies this morning. Anyone have any requests for Christmas cuisine?’ Although they hadn’t officially discussed it, Lucinda assumed that she’d be expected to play chef. Charlie would cook vegetarian food—which Dad abhorred—and Abigail and Madeleine were about as useful in the kitchen as a couple of blind wombats.
    â€˜Nah, but I’ll come with you,’ Abigail volunteered. ‘It’ll be good to get out. And this place needs some Froot Loops.’
    Lucinda bit down on the impulse to tell her that Froot Loops were empty calories that would rot her teeth, and instead turned to make their coffee.
    The three sisters came together in their parents’ bedroom at precisely two o’clock. Abigail held up two packets of Tim Tams and a couple of bottles of Diet Coke (treats she’d bought on her shopping trip with Lucinda). Charlie brought carrot and celery sticks and a tub of hummus to the party. Madeleine had contemplated sneaking into the motel bar to steal a bottle of wine, but then thought maybe it was too early in the day. Lucinda brought a pile of empty boxes she’d picked up at the supermarket that morning.
    To say their mum had been a hoarder would be a gross understatement, especially where her wardrobe was concerned. Without a doubt this was going to be a mammoth and emotionally draining task. No wonder Dad had palmed it off on them.
    â€˜Where do we start?’ Madeleine asked, looking to the others for direction.
    â€˜Before we do, there’s something else I want to talk to you all about.’ Lucinda looked back to the door as if to check they were on their own, then she lowered her voice. ‘Last night I spoke to Mitch McDonald in the bar.’
    â€˜You saw Mitch?’ Charlie’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘Why didn’t you send him in to say hello?’
    â€˜I did.’ Lucinda looked apologetically to Charlie. ‘He said he wanted to let us catch up. I’m sure he’ll make contact though; sorry I forgot to mention it.’
    â€˜It’s fine. What is it you wanted to say?’
    â€˜Well,’ Lucinda inhaled deeply. ‘The restaurant was almost empty and Mitch was the only customer in the bar, which struck me as odd considering how busy we used to get on a Friday night. He said he’d been keeping an eye on Dad and that he was a little concerned he wasn’t coping.’
    â€˜And you didn’t think to tell us this last night?’ Madeleine’s jaw tightened.
    â€˜I wanted us to have a nice dinner. And after talking to Mrs Sampson I also wanted to nose around the books and stuff today.’
    â€˜And?’ Madeleine didn’t hide her annoyance. ‘What did Mrs Sampson say?’ She herself had gone back to bed after the