The Cold Light of Mourning - By Elizabeth J. Duncan Page 0,40

began to fill in the grave. And as the sparkling Conwy River flowed endlessly, silently by, Emma Teasdale was laid to rest.

Twelve

Everyone who attended the funeral was glad to get to the Red Dragon for a cup of tea and a sandwich, although for those who had been there just two days earlier after the wedding that never was, it was all uncomfortably déjà vu.

Penny, who hadn’t been at the wedding, had no such feelings and was anxious to talk to Bronwyn Evans about the music.

“Bronwyn, was it you who arranged for the harpist?” she asked.

“Yes, Penny, I cannot tell a lie. It was. Did you like it?”

“Oh, it was magnificent—absolutely perfect! It made me cry when I thought how much Emma would have loved it. You know how much she loved music, and to think that you did that for her. She would have been so honoured,” said Penny. “Oh look at me! I’m getting all soppy at just the thought of it!”

Bronwyn laughed lightly, put her arm around Penny, and said, “I really should have consulted you, Penny, but I wasn’t sure that Victoria would be able to make it. Look, why don’t you come and tell her yourself how much you enjoyed her music.”

She steered Penny toward a woman in a lavender silk dress who was standing alone looking about her with uncertainty.

“Victoria, I’d like you to meet Penny Brannigan,” Bronwyn said, smiling at her. “Penny wanted to tell you herself how much she enjoyed your music. Penny, this is Victoria Hopkirk.” She smiled at both of them as if she had just found one solution to two problems. “I’d better see to the coffee, so I’ll just leave you two to get acquainted.”

The two women smiled shyly at each other. They were about the same age, but Victoria was slightly taller, with a somewhat serious, anxious look about her. Her blond hair was pulled back and held at the nape of her neck with a large black bow that matched black leather court shoes that looked expensive, and well cared for.

Penny held out her hand, which Victoria shook warmly.

“Yes,” said Penny. “I did enjoy the music, but more than that I want to tell you how much your playing would have meant to my friend, Emma. She loved beautiful music.”

“Thank you, Penny,” said Victoria. “I’m often asked to play at weddings, but not at funerals, and yet, if you think about it, a harp at a funeral would seem to be a natural thing.” She started to smile, and then hesitated.

“I’m curious to know how you came to be here,” said Penny. “I mean, how did Bronwyn ever find you?”

Victoria’s large brown eyes clouded for a moment.

“It’s a long story, but I’m staying for a bit with my cousin, who happens to be an old friend of Bronwyn’s,” said Victoria. “I’ve been coming to this area all my life, and I know it pretty well, so when I needed a change of scenery, I came here.”

The two women chatted for a few more moments and then decided to get a cup of coffee from the refreshments table. Penny looked around the room and suggested that they sit on the chairs that had been arranged along one wall, underneath the windows overlooking the square.

“Bronwyn told me that you and Emma Teasdale were very close friends,” said Victoria when they were seated, their knees turned toward each other. “She was very dear to you, and I’m so sorry for your loss.”

Penny smiled at her and then looked down at her coffee cup.

“Thank you,” she said simply and after a few moments added, “she was a wonderful woman, Emma was. Very accomplished and generous. I do miss her. Something strange has been happening here that I really wish I could discuss with Emma. Have you heard about the missing bride? Apparently she was last seen in my manicure shop. There’s just something about—”

She broke off and looked up as Alwynne Gwilt from the Stretch and Sketch group approached.

“Penny, sorry to interrupt, but I have to get back to the museum and wondered if I could have just a quick word with you. I’ve got some photos I’d like you to look at, if you don’t mind. Took them up on the high pastures, and just not sure which point of view to use for my painting. I like the one with the sheep, but the other one, the one with the dog taken from higher up, is rather good,