Midsummer's Night Murder

3

It was Tuesday morning, and Daisy and I had just come down for breakfast. Alexander and George were already at the breakfast table, which surprised me, as they usually come down last.

"You two are up early." Daisy pointed out.

"It was too hot in our bedroom to stay there much longer." George said.

"It is rather hot." I agreed.

"And it'll only get hotter." Alex half sighed, half laughed.

"Well, why don't we go down to the river or something?" Daisy suggested.

We all agreed. Suddenly we heard a voice, and Francis and 'Nancy' - Miss Callister- strolled into the dining room.

"As you're all heading down to the lake this morning, would you mind doing me a favour and dropping these letters in the post box on the way?" Francis said cheerfully. Daisy was eyeing him with disgust and annoyance, as if he were a dead rat she found on her pillow. "If you don't know where it is, its jus-"

"We do know where it is, thank you." said with a overly-charming smile. "So lucky you happened to accidentally overhear your mistress' conversation without her permission just at the right time!"

She really was laying it on thick.

"Indeed." Replied Francis, his freckled face forced into a matching smile.

The smiling/staring contest went on for an awkward amount of time, and I sensed that it was getting tense, so I decided to break it up.

"...alright then. Lets get going, Daisy. We'll deliver your letters, Francis won't we?"

I looked at George and Alexander for support, and they both nodded in agreement.

Daisy still didn't take her eyes of her opponent.

I walked over and started to steer her away. "Come on, Daisy. We can go deliver," I tapped 'READ' in Morse code on her hand, "these letters."

"Oh alright then." she moaned.

We left the dining room, Alexander clutching the letters. After putting on our shoes, we informed Hetty (and assured her that we would be fine on our own) we were leaving, and began to walk down the footpath that lead to the stream.

If it was muggy inside, it was searing hot outside. The air was blistering and sticky, like hot wax, and I almost wished that we could go straight to the river, rather than to the post box, but then that would mean we couldn't read Francis' letters.

At last the red post box came into view. We gathered round Alexander, who had the letters.

"Hurry up and open them then!" Said Daisy impatiently.

"But if I open them, the people receiving them will see." Alex pointed out.

"Not to worry" George had a mischievous smile on his face.

He drew out a penknife and carefully managed to prise open the envelope by the seal without tearing it.

"You're supposed to boil a kettle, hold the envelope over the steam and then do this, but of course, that would be very difficult."

He pulled the letter out and handed it to back to Alex.

"Nice one, George." He said.

Alex began to read out:

Dear Richard,

Please join me and the others for a party at 5 o'clock on Friday the 2nd of July at the Fallingford Estate. It will be the perfect opportunity for you all to meet my girlfriend Nancy Callister. I do hope you can make it!

Cordially,

Francis

————————-
Hey guys I'm back!!!!!
Thank you so much for so many sweet comments!!!!
I'm aware this chapter is very short, but I thought I'd post it anyway! :)
I'll try my best to update more often!

I love you guys, have a wonderful day!!! <3