Page 76 of Death on a Scottish Train

“How dare you,” the mistress bristled.

“I do not know who brought you up, but manners matter in Sea Isle. We are a kindly town, and we treat others with respect. Minerva, please escort her out.”

“Well, I never,” the woman stuffed the card back in her purse.

“And you never will in my shop,” Lulu’s tone was biting.

The woman turned and bumped into another lady standing there staring at her.

“You said Jeremy,” the woman said. “Would that be Jeremy Burns?”

“What does it matter to you?” the mistress said.

“Because he’s my husband,” Mrs. Burns said. Her face showed no emotion. “So, the reason he didn’t want me shopping today was because he knewyouwould be here.”

“I’ve no idea what you mean,” she tried to push past Mrs. Burns, but the other woman grabbed her arm.

“You aren’t special, and you aren’t the first or the last. You are one of many.” The words were said softly, almost as if she were sad, not angry. I understood that kind of betrayal. It was not an easy experience.

The mistress yanked her arm away. “Do you think I care? He likes to spend time with me and buy me presents. Maybe you should think about not being such a shrew. Then he wouldn’t cheat on you.”

The gasps in the shop were audible. I may have been guilty as well. I felt sorry for the wife, and I sympathized with her. I was surprised she kept her cool. I’m not sure I would have been as graceful.

As much as I wanted to go after the mistress to ask about the night of the murder, it wasn’t the right time. I could imagine, though, she would be cold enough to help kill someone, as she showed no remorse to Mrs. Burns. I had a feeling if she was to benefit financially, she would do just about anything.

Once the woman left, all the color drained from Mrs. Burns’ face.

“Minerva, take Mrs. Burns to the break room and make her a cuppa,” Lulu suggested softly.

Mrs. Burns sniffed. “You dinnae have to do that,” she said.

“We have to look out for one another,” Lulu said. “That horrible woman will get what she deserves.”

Mrs. Burns glanced at the door. “One can hope. I have no idea what he sees in them. Other than they are young and fit. Usually, he keeps them in Edinburgh, though. This is the first time I was forced to meet one of them. And before you judge me, he’s always been like this. I enjoydoing my charity work and he leaves me alone. I join him for events and play the dutiful wife. It works for us. But this was a bit beyond belief.”

“You’ll find no judgment here,” I said. “We just want you to be OK. That was too much for anyone to bear.”

“Thank you for understanding,” she said. Then she ducked her head to hide the tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Come along dear,” Minerva said. “Have a cuppa with me.”

Mara and I took a deep breath at the same time. The atmosphere had been tense.

“Sorry you had to witness that,” Lulu said.

“Dinnae apologize,” Mara said. “That was brilliant, Lulu. You put her in her place.”

“Will not do any good. She’s one of those women who thinks of no one but herself. I’m not one to judge about relationships, but she could have at least pretended to be ashamed.”

“Agreed,” I said. “Thank you for looking after Mrs. Burns. That is sweet of you.”

“Minerva has a way with people. She’ll get her settled. A blessing that one. I’m glad to have her helping me. Now, you two get back to shopping. Let’s see what you pick out next.”

After grabbing more shoes and bags to go with our outfits, we checked out. Minerva came out of the back to wrap our packages and put them in the shopping bags.

“Well, that was interesting,” I said as we stepped outside.

“Do you remember her being at the train station the night of the murder? The girlfriend, not the wife.”