Page 23 of Not So Very Sensible

They settled into hearing about how the evening would be conducted, the rules for tonight’s mystery, and to “expect the unexpected.”

Chapter 5

Even after the entrées were cleared away, Katie and Jason continued talking. And while normally Ellie would be happy to intervene and tell her sister her behaviour was unkind as it was excluding others, it was far more difficult to do so in front of people who didn’t know them. Poor Chris. He might be grinning and bearing it, but she could tell he didn’t like feeling shunted to the side as soon as a younger, more handsome male specimen came along. Still, to his credit, he continued to hold up his end of the conversation with Ellie and Ethan, acknowledging his faith, which sustained him in his line of work.

He soon excused himself to go to the restroom, leaving Ethan to focus on Ellie.

“So, you go to church.” Ethan smiled at her. “Are you involved in any kind of ministry?”

Her heart warmed. Oh, she loved feeling this sense of connection with him. It was rare to find a young man who was a Christian, let alone one who served in the church.

She explained about how she often served on Sundays by running the computer for the church projector, and by managing the social media accounts of the church. “I design a lot of the graphics too. Oh, and run the website.”

“A woman of many talents,” Ethan murmured.

“That’s me.”

“And do you do it voluntarily?”

“Of course. Our church isn’t large enough to pay me, even if I wanted it to. Which I don’t. I think it’s good for Christians to serve in church, and I’m blessed to have other part-time jobs that mean the church doesn’t have to.”

Was that too much of an overshare? It was so easy to talk to Ethan, like she’d known him all her life. And the fact he’d seemed interested in her, one hundred percent focused on her, was such a rare thing, she barely knew how to deal with it. Still, she couldn’t get carried away. Chris was obviously hurt that Katie was not paying him much attention, so Ellie wanted to make him feel included. Especially as the rude couple obviously weren’t wanting conversation with anyone else.

“I wish I had your social media skills,” Ethan said. “I tried to do a graphic for the youth group I help at, but it was hopeless.”

“I could do one for you.”

“I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

“You’re not asking. I’m offering.” And while she cared about the kingdom of God, it wasn’t completely altruistic. Because if offering to do Ethan’s social media graphics meant that they got to continue talking after this weekend, well, that was extra great.

He showed her his attempt, and yes, the poor man did need her help. She made a few suggestions, and he asked for her number. “Or, if that’s too forward, then we could talk via Instagram. I got it so I can pretend to be a bit more hip, and it helps with privacy issues with the kids.”

“True.” Although she’d be very happy to have his number. Except now that he’d mentioned it, it did seem a little forward for her to be handing it out to a near stranger. Instagram it was, then.

They swapped details, and she followed his Instagram. When she mentioned how few posts he had, he confessed that his was new. “It’s a private account. I resisted a long time, as there have been, uh, some issues with my family in the past. I’ve found you can’t be too careful.”

Curiosity ate at her as to what particular issues he meant. But asking felt rude.

“E A B Design.” He read her handle aloud. “Thanks. That way I can send you what I’ve got, and if you get the time and can improve it a little bit, I’d be really grateful.”

“I’d be very happy to.”

“Thank you.” Ethan smiled at her. “I really hope we can stay in touch after this.”

“I’d like that too.”

Her heart skipped a beat or two. Was this internal fluttery sensation how Liv had felt when she and Liam had finally connected? Or how EJ felt when she and Jordan finally progressed from being friends to more?

Heat flushed her cheeks at the knowing look in Chris’ expression as he returned, and she ducked her head, draining the rest of her mocktail. She’d be really grateful if the friendly server returned with another round.

The emcee returned to the microphone and explained what would happen next.

“So by now, you may have gathered that the setting is a train travelling through Switzerland in the 1920s.” He then introduced the main characters, who wandered through the various tables, ensuring audience participation. A pretty blonde wearing a silver flapper dress trailed a hand along Jason’s shoulders and winked at him, which made Katie bristle, until the actors all met in the middle and performed a scene. Then the lights went out. There was a scream. And the blonde lay in the middle of the floor with “blood” staining her chest.

“That’s what happens to brazen hussies,” Katie muttered.

“And now,” the emcee continued, “it’s time for you to open the first clue in your envelope, in the middle of your tables.”