Page 203 - My Home on the Earth

‘No, thank you, Helen. This is Kay’s daughter, Cara, and this is Elise.’
The girls smiled and went to the window to look at the view. ‘We have to get back for dinner. I just wanted to say thank you for helping me,’ said Alice.
‘You’re welcome. Has the mystery ended or is it ongoing?’ smiled Helen inquisitively.
‘I think we can safely say it’s done and dusted and it relieves us. I’m sure Marjorie will have plenty to tell you on her next visit. Right, girls – we have to call in at the express store for some cream and...’ Alice stopped mid- sentence when someone knocked on the front door.
‘It must be our neighbour from downstairs. Just a minute,’ Helen said, leaving the room.
Alice spun round when a caustic voice uttered: ‘It was you, wasn’t it? You interfering old snob!’
Elise rushed to Alice’s side. She recognised the voice and mouthed to Cara: ‘Phone.’ Looking bewildered, Cara whispered: ‘What? Who is it?’
Melanie Cooper brushed Helen aside and swanned into the lounge, leaving her standing open-mouthed by the door.
‘What are you doing here?’ demanded Alice. ‘How did you get in? What do you want?’
‘All in good time. My spiteful sister might have changed the code on her front door, but she forgot I had the back,’ she said, waving a piece of paper. ‘Well, well, if it isn’t sweet little Elise Goodwin. I bet you are Cara. Aren’t I the lucky one.’
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