Hidden Mortality by Maggie Mundy Page B

pan into the fire. Mum apparently didn’t like his new choice as she had been friends with his previous wife. Anne said she thought Tarin opinionated which in mum speak meant, she was not the polite little wife.
    Lastly, were two men intended to be prospective suitors. They were probably annoyed at this moment for the lack of available females present. One looked like the typical candidate her parents always chose. His name was Thomas and he was an accountant. Surprise, surprise!
    The other one wasn’t talking. He just watched everyone. His clothes were expensive and fit his firm physique well. His black hair was well cut, with a slight touch of gray at the temples. Mother had said his name was Vincent. He had bought the house next door. In Sneyd Park, an elite area of Bristol, owning property meant money, lots of it.
    Daniel didn’t think Vincent was gay, and her partner’s radar was usually good. Someone tapped her shoulder. Cara jumped and let out a little squeak.
    “Becoming a peeping Tom, Cara?” Daniel grinned, as he stood next to her, peering through the gap. “Just because we’re on dessert doesn’t mean you can slack off, Anne’s going to expect you to make yourself glamorous to show off to the prospective mates.”
    Daniel groaned, as she dug him in the ribs with her elbow. “Matcher’s been good for his first evening, but tell him he’s on trial for a month. By the way, are you going to tell me now where you met him?”
    “No.” Cara poked out her tongue.
    “Don’t worry, I love a challenge. There’s something about him that’s different. Saw his name on his tax file. It’s beautiful. Why he doesn’t use it is beyond me.”
    “Trust me, Daniel, for once in your life, leave it alone.” Cara hoped her steely look would dissuade him but doubted it.
    At that moment Vincent turned and peered at the door. Cara moved away, her heart beating fast. She needed to work, not dawdle anymore. She started to prepare the coffees. Then, her mother walked into the kitchen. She gave her regular ingratiating smile to Daniel, before coming across to bestow the obligatory hug and fake kiss on each of Cara’s cheeks.
    “Cara, the meal was wonderful.”
    “Thank you.” Cara winked at Daniel over her mother’s shoulder. He blew her an over-the-top kiss back. The only partner her mother considered appropriate was one Cara could marry. She would have liked to take credit for choosing a gay business partner on purpose to annoy her mum, but it had just been pure luck. “Daniel and I do our best.”
    Mother nodded to Daniel. He had accepted long ago it was the only acknowledgment he would ever get. “I want to introduce you to some new friends of ours. I think they might help your little business venture.”
    “If anyone out there is offering free financial advice, we’re always willing to listen for the cost of a meal.” Cara smiled sweetly.
    Her mother pursed her lips and looked her up and down, frowning. Cara didn’t want to look like the classic chef with white top and check pants. Anyway her hips were too big to make those pants look acceptable. She opted for brown pants. They hid most stains. On top, she wore a cream v-necked T-shirt under her dark blue apron that had their logo printed in gold on it.
    Following her mother into the dining room, she glanced back at Daniel. He was the only one to see her crossed fingers. Introductions to the known guests came first. Cara couldn’t complain as they kept having plenty of bookings from her parents’ close friends.
    Then came the moment for her introduction to the prospective marriage partners her mother chose. First, was Thomas. He didn’t stand up when they were introduced. The other guy Vincent wasn’t there. Thomas toyed with his pie and cream until it resembled a milky congealed glue. Cara hoped he could see her eyes glaring at what he was doing to her food. Did he not realize that it wasn’t just any apple and rhubarb pie? The pastry melted in the