Chapter Two
Allenbury - One Month Earlier
The village hall door burst open, the Allenbury Amateur Dramatic Society Play Reading sign bounced, crashed to the floor. Twenty pairs of eyes turned and followed the noise. Ben nearly jumped out of his seat, his nerves in tatters as Mary Monroe exploded into the room. Pulling himself together he assessed Mary Monroe’s outfit. Tonight the fluffy blonde, perfectly made up, wore a pair of red patent leather stilettos that clicked across the wooden floor. He liked what he saw. He turned to speak to the chairman, Captain Colin Peters, to mention his nervousness about the forthcoming announcement, instead, he watched a flush creep up Colin’s neck, and noted how Colin’s eyes lit up when they settled on Mary.
‘Sorry, so sorry,’ Mary slipped off her red coat and Hermès scarf as she headed for the only empty chair, ‘it’s sod’s law things go wrong when you’re in a hurry.’ She glanced at the members assembled round the table before her eyes met Colin’s, who started shuffling papers in front of him, then twiddled his waxed handlebar moustache.
‘Better late than never, Mary. Sit down, get yourself sorted.’ Always the gentleman Colin briefly stood. ‘We’re just about to make a start.’
