Читать книгу Payment Deferred. Psychological Thriller онлайн

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She was still feeling happy when Mr Marble returned from the office in the evening, just after the children had had their tea and were settling down to their homework. He looked very tired, poor soul, and he still walked stiffly, but Mrs Marble had a nice tea ready for him thanks to her visit to Mr Richards’ shop. There were nice scrambled eggs, good eggs, not the other kind, and three pieces of toast, and there was fresh tea in the pot. Mrs Marble was disappointed when he looked at the pleasant tea-table with evident distaste. He flung himself down in an armchair with a sigh.

‘Anybody been?’ he demanded.

‘No, dear, no one,’ replied Annie, surprised.

‘Sure?’

‘Of course I am, dear. Who is there to come? There was no one besides the milkman, and people selling things. It wasn’t Mr Brown’s day for the insurance.’

‘That’s all right then,’ said Mr Marble, and he began to unwrap the parcel he had brought in with him. The children looked up with interest, but they were disappointed. It was only a stupid old bottle of whisky. But Mr Marble looked at it very eagerly.