Cherringham--Blade in the Water Read Online Free

excitement, it wouldn’t hurt to … delve a little into this.
    If only for a bit …
    He got into his car and headed towards the Edwards’ home.
    *
    “Jack! Wonderful to see you! Look — Helen’s fixing some tea — and I have something to show you!”
    Sarah’s dad Michael grabbed Jack by the arm and steered him — literally — right by Sarah, into the sitting room where the large coffee table was covered with a map.
    “There you are — all the venues, the best viewing spots — the Regatta planned like a military mission!”
    Jack knew that Michael was also a bit of a history buff. So it wasn’t surprising to see this large map of the village, dotted with mini cardboard yachts, stands and rows of ‘sculls’, ready to compete.
    “Impressive,” Jack said. “Lot of work, this event?”
    “Tons! But I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Michael raised a finger, bringing home a point. “Great as source of money for the village of course. Restaurants, shops, hotels — a real boon.”
    “Ah, I knew he’d show you that straight away,” Helen said, entering with a teapot and four cups. A plate of sugar cookies … biscuits … sat to the side.
    “Of course, now there’s absolutely no place to put any of this.”
    Jack grinned at Sarah. He for one was enjoying the interaction of this long-time married couple.
    Perhaps … even a bit of envy.
    Sarah rolled her eyes. She probably was eager to hear what Jack thought about the wandering boat.
    “Oh — for now Helen, just put it on the … um, piano stool. Jack needs to see this!”
    Helen immediately showed where Sarah inherited her eye-rolls, and placed the silver tray on the stool.
    “How elegant,” she said, “not.”
    At that, everyone laughed, even as she began pouring the tea.
    Michael pointed to a piece of cardboard showing a series of viewing stands at one end of the stretch of the river.
    “These stands, in this field — all new this year. Had to wrangle some rights from the owner, but struck a deal. It’ll be smashing to see the sculls take that turn … right there and straight on, full speed.”
    Jack put a hand on Michael’s shoulder. “Going to be a great day, Michael.”
    Finally Sarah intervened, patience gone, or maybe just wanting to rescue him from the tourist board pitch about Cherringham’s Regatta day.
    “Dad, Jack actually popped over to discuss that boat.”
    “Oh, right. Less said about that, the better. Owner will get a good solid fine for that!”
    Jack looked again at Sarah. “I was actually hoping we could all talk about that a bit.”
    Helen handed him a cup of tea and one of the biscuits.
    “I hardly think I’ll be much help,” Helen said. “Sarah didn’t get her ‘detective abilities’ from me.”
    Michael leaned into Jack. “My side of the branch, I imagine.”
    “Still …” Jack said. “You might have some, um, insight.”
    Though the coffee table was out of commission, the sitting room’s classic chairs were free.
    Helen and Michael sat on the floral printed sofa, while he and Sarah each took one of the armchairs facing it.
    “You think,” Jack looked around to signal that the question was for everyone, “anyone has anything against the Regatta? Any reason to set a boat loose?”
    On cue, Helen and Michael looked at each other.
    “No,” Michael said, “everyone—”
    “Dad,” Sarah said, cutting him off.
    That stopped him. “Well, okay. Some short-sighted villagers don’t like the rich Londoners coming down.”
    “You could put me in that category,” Helen said.
    Jack smiled. Though he guessed Michael and Helen were clearly financially comfortable, they had no airs. Ostentation, especially like that Jack saw inside the deserted boat, wouldn’t be their cup of tea.
    “Right,” Michael said reluctantly. “And, yes, we also get riff-raff coming in, looking to carouse. I mean, it is a spectacle. But they all spend money.”
    “Yes, but some of the village folk … wish it would go