Page 24 of Not So Very Sensible

The rude woman from before snatched up the envelope and threw a catlike smile around the table, as if savouring her victory.

“Well? Are you going to read it?” Katie asked.

The woman sniffed, then read the card aloud. “‘Jimmy T. Hugg’—ooh, that’s thug, get it?”

“We get it,” her husband said. “Keep reading.”

“Jimmy T. Hugg has booked one of the train’s first-class cabins.” She read more details. “And he has a special request for three large steamer trunks to be stored in his cabin.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jason asked.

“What do you think?” Ellie asked Chris.

He shrugged. “I think we need a little more to go on. And I’m not the expert.”

Jason sneered. “Weren’t you the one calling yourself that just a few minutes ago?”

“Actually,” Ellie raised her hand, “I was the one who said that about him.”

“And I’m definitely no expert,” Chris said.

“But you are!” Katie cried. “You’re a police detective. I don’t think anyone could be more qualified than that. How could you not want people to know that?”

“Maybe he wants a night off,” Ellie said.

“Or he’s not very good,” Jason muttered.

Wow. Ellie glared at him, but Katie seemed oblivious to what had been said. But then, given she was basking in the attention of two men, she was probably revelling in some kind of fantasy, with herself as the heroine.

The next course was served, the little pies and quiches similar to the ones they’d enjoyed at the afternoon tea yesterday. The actors returned and did their thing, as the clues were read aloud to all, and various guests were invited to speculate about what it all might mean. The rude woman at their table insisted on giving her opinion, cutting across Ellie’s suggestion that Chris be given the chance to speak. Other people—like Jason—seemed more interested in the cocktails being offered. Ellie was glad to see that Katie refused, as she and Ethan did too.

Her heart pinched at how Chris kept watching Katie. It was kind of sweet, and also kind of creepy. “Chris, you need to forgive me for asking this, but you seem rather taken by my sister.”

His head tilted, and he frowned at his water glass. “She reminds me of someone I used to know.”

Fair enough. But judging from the way he swigged his water, those memories weren’t super happy ones. Which begged the question of what happened and how this linked to Katie.

Maybe he sensed this, for he glanced at her. “You asked before about the reason I got into police work. Five years ago, a niece of mine disappeared, and your sister has an uncanny resemblance to her. Not only in her looks but in her sweet innocence and trusting nature. My sister had a breakdown, so I left the army to care for her. I—I can’t believe she’s gone, but it looks like my niece must’ve died.”

She grasped his arm. “I’m so sorry.”

He shrugged. “It’s my poor sister who is beside herself, wondering. In some ways, it would be easier to know if she was dead, because then we could move on. But with nothing, no body, no chance to bury her, then it becomes this awful game of what happened to Eliza?”

“Truly, I’m very sorry.”

He nodded. His mouth curved halfway. “I never speak about this. I don’t know why I am with you. It must be your thoughtfulness that’s making me overshare.”

“I’ll be praying that she’s found one day. Alive and well.”

“I will too,” Ethan murmured beside her.

“Thank you. You’re both very kind.” He pushed back his chair. “Please excuse me for a moment.”

He stood, and Ellie noticed how his movement didn’t raise an eyelash from Katie, who continued talking to Jason. Then she noticed how Chris’ look grew wry again, as if he’d noticed, and her heart hurt for him afresh. Silly Katie. Caught up in her romantic fancies and oblivious to the pain her actions were causing a good man.

She bit her lip, then turned to Ethan, who was watching her. “Poor Chris.”

“He’s had some challenges, that’s for sure.”