Page 49 of A Very Bookish Murder
‘Two big boys, considering they’re twins and they were a bit early,’ Ally said.
‘Oh my! Our Gordon was more than ten pounds, and it near killed me,’ Morag said.
Ally had heard all this before and knew it to be the prelude to a long summary of each of the births of her own brood.
‘Yes,’ Ally said quickly, ‘I remember you telling me, Morag. Anyway, both babies are healthy, and one is going to be called Kenneth James Sinclair and the other William Alan Sinclair.’
‘And they’ll be the heirs?’ Morag asked, pronouncing it as ‘hairs’.
‘They will indeed. Kenneth was the first to be born, so I suppose he’ll be the heir.’
‘What’s that ye say?’
‘He’ll be the next earl. And little William will be the spare.’
Morag sat down with a mug of tea. ‘Are they still in there?’ she asked, nodding in the direction of the dining room.
‘I think Brigitte and George have gone out somewhere,’ Ally replied, ‘but the other two are still in there.’
Morag looked at the door again. ‘Och, I wish Murdo would hurry up cos I cannae wait to tell him!’
‘Well, it’s not exactly unexpected, is it? I thought everyone in the village knew she was expecting twins.’
‘Aye, she was the size of a house,’ said Morag before rushing to the window to see her husband’s little red van pulling up outside.
As Murdo came in and laid a couple of letters on the table, he said to his wife, ‘Well, ye’ll have heard the news then?’
Morag scowled. ‘How did ye know?’ She appeared crestfallen at not being able to impart this news herself.
‘Aye, when I got to the shop this mornin’ Queenie knew all about it, cos Mrs Fraser was there on the doorstep when Queenie opened up the shop.’
I just bet she was, Ally thought.
‘And I hear that yersel’ and the vet was there before the ambulance,’ Murdo added, turning to Ally.
‘We were indeed,’ Ally confirmed, ‘but just to support Hamish really because Magda was doing fine. She seems to be designed for childbearing.’
‘Two wee lads!’ said Murdo. ‘Fancy that! Well, I never!’
Ally could hear Penelope and Millie going upstairs, and headed into the dining room to clear up, leaving Morag and Murdo to it.
Shortly after all her guests had set off for the day, Ally was greatly surprised to receive a visit from Morwenna. She ushered her into the kitchen.
Morwenna looked around. ‘Gosh, this is nice.’
‘Thank you. Do have a seat. Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?’
‘Tea would be lovely,’ Morwenna replied. ‘No sugar, just milk, please.’ She sank into an armchair and began fussing a tail-wagging Flora. ‘I love your dog! I hope I haven’t come at an awkward time?’
‘Not at all,’ said Ally, curious to know what on earth had brought her here. ‘Morag, my cleaner, will be down for her cup of tea shortly, but otherwise I’m not expecting anyone to call. Do you mind if I load the dishwasher?’
Morwenna shook her head. ‘Of course not. The reason I’m here is because I wanted to ask if there was any chance I could move into one of your rooms for the last few days, before we all leave after the funeral on Sunday morning?’
Ally was taken by surprise. ‘Aren’t you happy at the Craigmonie?’
‘Oh, the Craigmonie’s fine, but it’s just that I’m a bit lonely now that Della’s gone.’
‘What about Laura?’
