Читать книгу Trick Or Treat Murder - Leslie Meier - Страница 14

“Twelve dozen? I said I’d bake twelve dozen cupcakes? I must have been out of my mind.” Lucy was sitting at the huge scrubbed pine harvest table in Sue’s kitchen. Sue was always re-modeling her kitchen—it had gone from cluttered country to fifties kitsch and now had a definite English accent. A plate rack hung near the sink, a Welsh cupboard hugged one wall, and a cobalt blue Aga stove was her pride and joy.

“You were kind of distracted,” admitted Sue. “Forget it. Two dozen will be fine.”

“Oh, no,” said Lucy. “I’ll manage.” She knew she owed Sue a favor for taking care of Zoe, and she wanted to even the score as soon as possible. “Did the baby give you much trouble?”

“No. She’s a little angel,” said Sue. “She fussed a little bit when she realized I wasn’t her mommy, she tried the bottle and didn’t like it, and gave up and went to sleep. It’s a shame to wake her—want some lunch?”

“Sure,” said Lucy.

“I’ve got some leftover Cornish pasties.”

“Sounds great,” said Lucy, who hadn’t the faintest idea what a Cornish pasty was, but was always hungry.

“That was terrible about Monica, wasn’t it?” said Sue, popping the meat pies into the microwave.

“I’m still having trouble believing it really happened,” admitted Lucy. “What was she doing at the house this time of year, anyway? She only came in the summer.” Lucy looked away, staring out the window.

“She had kids, didn’t she?”

“All grown up, thank goodness.” Lucy’s voice quavered, and Sue quickly changed the subject.

“I called the Body Shop. They do have child care, and we can take one free class to try it out. Whaddya say we go over after lunch?”

“Today?”

“Sure,” said Sue, slipping a steaming plate in front of Lucy. “These things are full of carbohydrates and fat grams and I don’t know what all. Positively deadly.”

“Delicious,” said Lucy, savoring a mouthful.

An hour later, with Zoe safely installed in the child care center at the Body Shop, Lucy was calculating her chances of surviving the “Basic Body” class.

“Now that’s five, and four, and only three more,” said the perky blond instructor. They had been at this for forty-five minutes and Vicki had never stopped smiling, never stopped bouncing. Lucy had never seen anyone so completely fit—even Vicki’s ponytail was perfectly conditioned. “Okay, now it’s time to cool down. Take a deep breath. In, hold it, and out. That’s right. Doesn’t that feel good?”

Lucy stared at her reflection in the mirror that covered the wall. No doubt about it, she definitely needed this. She had borrowed an old leotard from Sue, and the tight spandex revealed a doughy stomach, flabby arms and thighs. Even her face was puffy. How had this happened? She used to have so much energy, she used to run miles every week. Now, it was all she could do to get up the stairs. And truth be told, she was still wearing her maternity clothes because her old things didn’t fit. She either had to get back in shape or buy a whole new wardrobe.

“Okay, ladies, you’re done. Now, don’t you feel great?”

Lucy laid back on the wood floor, trying to find the energy to get up.

“Come on, lazybones,” said Sue, extending a hand. She looked fresh as ever, much to Lucy’s disgust.

Lucy took Sue’s hand and pulled herself to her feet. Her legs felt wobbly underneath her. But, standing in the shower a few minutes later, she had to admit she felt better than she had in a long time. As the hot water poured over her tired body, soothing her aches and pains, she was aware of herself in a new way. There were muscles under that flab. She decided to sign-up for a membership.

Refreshed and dressed, checkbook in hand, she approached the front desk.

“Hi, I’m Krissy. May I help you?” asked another bright blonde, displaying a dazzling smile.

“I’d like to sign up for the introductory special,” said Lucy, glancing at a banner hanging on the brick wall.

“Super! You won’t be sorry—it’s an investment in yourself. Now, if you’ll just fill out this form…sorry, I better get that phone.” She slipped a sheet of paper in front of Lucy, handed her a pen, and picked up the phone, all in one smooth motion.

Lucy began filling in the blanks, while Krissy took the call.

“Body Shop…where fitness is fun. Oh, hi.” From the change in tone, Lucy guessed this was someone special.

“What news? I’ve been so busy with opening the studio that I haven’t had time to read the paper or anything. A fire?”

Curious, Lucy glanced at Krissy in time to see an expression of satisfaction flicker across her features. Then, she heard her murmur, “I just can’t believe it. I’m so sorry. I’m here for you, you know that.”

Krissy hung up the receiver and turned her attention to Lucy. “Sorry about that—my business partner just lost his wife. In a fire. Absolutely awful.”

“That’s too bad. It wasn’t Monica Mayes, was it?”

“Did you know her?” Krissy’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“A little,” said Lucy.

“Of course. Everybody knows everybody in a town like this. I’m not used to it—I’m from the city. Now, that’ll be twenty-nine dollars, and the membership is good for a month. You can take any regularly scheduled classes, use the showers. There is an extra charge for sessions with a personal trainer, massage, things like that. Child care is included. Any questions?”

“No,” said Lucy, handing over her check. She was struck by the sudden change in Krissy’s attitude. The smile was gone and she was all business. Lucy wondered if she was imagining it, or if Krissy really couldn’t wait to get rid of her.

Turning to go toward the nursery, she saw Sue coming out of the dressing room.

“This was a good idea—I got a membership,” she said, flashing her brand-new card. “How about you?”

“Me? I’m going to think it over. I’m not sure exercise is for me.” Sue puckered her face with distaste and lowered her voice. “It made me sweat.”

“That’s the point. You’re supposed to sweat.”

“Oh.” Sue tapped her pearly pink lips with a perfectly manicured finger, polished to match, then tucked a lock of her shining black Dutch-boy hair behind one ear. “I’d like to keep you company, Lucy, but I don’t really think I have the time. I’ll let you know.”

Lucy watched as her friend hurried out the door. If Sue wasn’t so nice, it would be easy to hate her. She always looked terrific, and she never gained a pound no matter how much she ate. Lucy shook her head and gave a little shrug, then headed for the nursery to retrieve Zoe. She didn’t think Sue would have to think it over for very long—she seemed to have already made up her mind.