Brewing

Molly motioned for Armstrong to sit down at the kitchen table, but remained standing, making it clear with her body language that he'd have to get past her if he wanted to make it to the front door.

Looking at Margaret and Alice, both standing looking blank, she said "is that kettle not on yet?" to one, and "come on, you weren't born in a field" to the other.

This seemed to break the spell, and while Margaret busied herself making tea, Alice went to shut the front door.

Before taking a seat at the table, Molly looked Phil Armstrong directly in the eye. Without speaking a word, her expression said that she wouldn't be having any trouble from him; she conveyed this message so clearly that the big man nodded. Yes, he understood all right.

"Now then Mr Armstrong," she said. "My friends here are going to make all of us a nice cup of tea. And you are going to tell them what you've told me, yes? And after that...well, we'll take it one thing at a time."

She paused, and looked around at Margaret.

"And I expect Mr Armstrong would like his tea in a mug."

Remarkably, she managed to say the final word without a sniff of disdain.



Part Three begins here.