The Mirror Crack'd: from Side to Side Read Free Page B

know about it. I nearly went, I tell you. And look at the front of my jumper, it’s all mussed.”
    Miss Marple went on a little way, then on impulse, she turned back.
    Lily was outside in the road waiting for the young man to lock up the house.
    Miss Marple went up to her and spoke rapidly in a low voice.
    â€œIf I were you, my dear, I shouldn’t marry that young man. You want someone whom you can rely upon if you’re in danger. You must excuse me for saying this to you—but I feel you ought to be warned.”
    She turned away and Lily stared after her.
    â€œWell, of all the—”
    Her young man approached.
    â€œWhat was she saying to you, Lil?”
    Lily opened her mouth—then shut it again.
    â€œGiving me the gipsy’s warning if you want to know.”
    She eyed him in a thoughtful manner.
    Miss Marple in her anxiety to get away quickly, turned a corner, stumbled over some loose stones and fell.
    A woman came running out of one of the houses.
    â€œOh dear, what a nasty spill! I hope you haven’t hurt yourself?”
    With almost excessive goodwill she put her arms round Miss Marple and tugged her to her feet.
    â€œNo bones broken, I hope? There we are. I expect you feel rather shaken.”
    Her voice was loud and friendly. She was a plump squarely built woman of about forty, brown hair just turning grey, blue eyes, and a big generous mouth that seemed to Miss Marple’s rather shaken gaze to be far too full of white shining teeth.
    â€œYou’d better come inside and sit down and rest a bit. I’ll make you a cup of tea.”
    Miss Marple thanked her. She allowed herself to be led through the blue-painted door and into a small room full of bright cretonne-covered chairs and sofas.
    â€œThere you are,” said her rescuer, establishing her on a cushioned armchair. “You sit quiet and I’ll put the kettle on.”
    She hurried out of the room which seemed rather restfully quiet after her departure. Miss Marple took a deep breath. She was not really hurt, but the fall had shaken her. Falls at her age were not to be encouraged. With luck, however, she thought guiltily, Miss Knight need never know. She moved her arms and legs gingerly. Nothing broken. If she could only get home all right. Perhaps, after a cup of tea—
    The cup of tea arrived almost as the thought came to her. Brought on a tray with four sweet biscuits on a little plate.
    â€œThere you are.” It was placed on a small table in front of her. “Shall I pour it out for you? Better have plenty of sugar.”
    â€œNo sugar, thank you.”
    â€œYou must have sugar. Shock, you know. I was abroad with ambulances during the war. Sugar’s wonderful for shock.” She put four lumps in the cup and stirred vigorously. “Now you get that down, and you’ll feel as right as rain.”
    Miss Marple accepted the dictum.
    â€œA kind woman,” she thought. “She reminds me of someone—now who is it?”
    â€œYou’ve been very kind to me,” she said, smiling.
    â€œOh, that’s nothing. The little ministering angel, that’s me. I love helping people.” She looked out of the window as the latch of the outer gate clicked. “Here’s my husband home. Arthur—we’ve got a visitor.”
    She went out into the hall and returned with Arthur who looked rather bewildered. He was a thin pale man, rather slow in speech.
    â€œThis lady fell down—right outside our gate, so of course I brought her in.”
    â€œYour wife is very kind, Mr.—”
    â€œBadcock’s the name.”
    â€œMr. Badcock, I’m afraid I’ve given her a lot of trouble.”
    â€œOh, no trouble to Heather. Heather enjoys doing things for people.” He looked at her curiously. “Were you on your way anywhere in particular?”
    â€œNo, I was just taking a walk. I live in St. Mary Mead, the house beyond the Vicarage. My