Page 128 of The Wedding Dress Repair Shop
‘That’s a pity, but if it’s only a local paper, that’s not so important, is it?’ pointed out Thom soothingly. ‘It won’t lessen the impact ofyourpublicity.’
‘I suppose you’re right,’ conceded Honey, coming right in and dropping on to the office chair.
‘You know, Honey, after I’d read the emails she’d sent to you about Amy, she did come across as a bit of an attention seeker. They were all about how she felt rather than focusing on Amy.’
‘She must be, because this newspaper article is exactly like that, too. Sonia – that’s her name, Sonia Weston – also said she’d had an anonymous letter the day after it appeared in the paper!’
‘A nasty one?’ I asked.
‘Definitely. She sent me a screen shot of it, all block capitals written in something like a felt-tip pen.’
Honey had brought her tablet with her and now got it up on the screen so we could both read it.
YOUEVIL,PUBLICITY-SEEKINGOLDWITCH!GETTHATDRESSBACKASAPANDSHUTUPABOUTIT,ORYOUWILLBESORRY.
‘Short and to the point,’ Thom commented. ‘Who do you think sent it?’
‘Maybe the fiancé,’ Honey suggested. ‘He won’t want it all raked up again, will he?’
‘Did she show it to the police?’ I asked.
‘No, she seems strangely reluctant to do that and she’s adamant the dress should go on display, so the story of Amy’s disappearance isn’t forgotten.’
She sighed. ‘I’d better tell my PR about that newspaper article. She won’t be pleased, but I’m sure you’re right and it won’t matter really, unless it gets syndicated. It wouldn’t surprise me if Sonia contacted the national press herself next, once all my publicity gets under way, but that won’t matter by then.’
‘No, it’ll probably help, if anything,’ Thom said.
Honey got up. ‘She probably thinks she’s going to hog all the limelight at the museum opening ceremony, but if so, Thom, you and Simon will have to corral her in the corner till I’ve had my say!’
*
After Honey and Thom had gone, I finished off a few odd jobs and tidied up in the workroom.
Thom had offered to drive me up to Jericho’s End after lunch, to see the beautiful physic and rose gardens, an offer I couldn’t resist.
For once, I didn’t feel any desire to linger in the workroom, because the two marionettes hanging on their pegs freaked me out, especially the one that looked like Marco.
On my way out, I turned their faces to the wall.
Rosa-May
23 June 1815
Rumours have now reached us of a great battle that took place on the eighteenth, but no word of Guy, so we are all on tenterhooks.
*
26 June
It is confirmed. There was indeed a great battle on 18 June, at a place called Waterloo, and, though our forces were victorious, yet we suffered very heavy losses.
Rafe wishes the state of his health permitted him to go to London, where he might more readily discover news of Guy – and I too wish I could! However, he would not hear of my travelling there alone.
I wrote again to Letty, begging her to send me any news without delay, in the hope that she would this time reply. Her continued silence is very unlike her, so that I fear my letters may somehow have gone astray.
I am restless and full of fears and forebodings … I pace my chamber and cannot settle to any occupation.
*
