Suddenly Harold snapped his fingers together. ‘Phone!’
Midge frowned and even Bridie and Noah stopped at the outburst. ‘What?’
Harold was excitedly pointing at Bridie. ‘Your phone – you must have one with you. We can use it to call the police and get out of here!’
Bridie’s face fell. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. But Midge messaged me when you left to say that phones weren’t allowed, so I’ve left mine at home.’
‘Oh,’ replied Harold, his face downcast.
Rona, whose fear of missing out had finally drawn her out from behind her barricade, entered the kitchen and spotted Bridie. ‘Hello! Lovely to meet you, I’m Rona.’
Bridie put down her spoon and walked over, wiping her hands on the apron she had put on. ‘I’m Bridie. Midge has been telling me all about you. A pop star, gosh! I hope you haven’t found the company too dull.’
‘We’ve been quite enjoying the solitude, haven’t we, Midge?’ said Rona, patting Midge’s arm.
‘Despite the dead body?’ said Bridie, smoothly.
‘Ah, well, it’s given us all the chance to play detectives.’
‘Well, Midge wouldn’t be playing—’ began Bridie.
Midge cut her off. ‘Yes, but of course we shall have to wait for the real police to see what is really going on.’
Bridie frowned. Midge shrugged slightly in the hope that she would understand she hadn’t told them about her former career.
‘Would you like to join us for some curry?’ asked Bridie. ‘I’m afraid I couldn’t find any garlic.’
‘Did I hear that right?’ asked Rona, ignoring the last comment. ‘You didn’t bring your phone with you?’
Bridie had returned to the Aga and was helping Noah dish up. ‘No.’
‘How unfortunate,’ said Rona, taking a tray from the table and holding it out to Noah. ‘I think I’ll have mine in my room.’ Noah obediently piled a plate with the delicious-smelling curry and placed it on Rona’s tray. ‘Gloria has completely lost it. We may have to consider locking her in when the doctor leaves. She’s convinced that the White Lady has come as a warning toher. You’d thinkshegot the tarot card, Midge.’
Bridie raised an eyebrow. ‘You’ve been playing tarot cards, Midge? Was it you that hit your head or Noah?’
‘Midge turned over the Death card for her love option, in fact,’ said Rona.
Bridie and Rona stared at each other for what seemed, in Midge’s opinion, a very long time.
‘Could mean anything, of course,’ shrugged Rona.
‘Midge, leave some for the others!’ Bridie smacked Midge’s hand away from the bread that Noah had proudly placed on the table. Rona raised her eyebrows at Midge before leaving the room.
‘Enjoy your supper, ladies.’ Noah and Harold took their food into the drawing room, considerately leaving Midge and Bridie alone to eat theirs. As usual, Bridie didn’t have very much which, of course, made Midge self-conscious when it came to her own portions.
‘I’m surprised you and Rona are friendly,’ Bridie commented, as she sipped some water after they’d eaten and done the washing-up. No one had reappeared to help, of course.
Midge put her plate away with a sigh. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, you just seem very different.’
Midge considered this. ‘In what way?’
Bridie took another sip. ‘Well, she’s so glamorous and a little bit OTT, don’t you think?’
Midge shrugged, experience having taught her that in these situations, it was best not to say too much.
‘And since when have you been friends with drug addicts?’
