Raisins and almonds - Poisoned Pen Press (UK)

Raisins and Almonds
‘You don’t have nothing to go on,’ protested Bert.
‘Quite right. It’s pure intuition. Something is afoot and I
want to know what it is. Just exist there and see what information
drifts your way. Usual rates?’
The two men looked at each other.
‘How long?’ asked Bert. ‘Only we can’t leave the taxi business
for more’n say a week tops—Cec’s saving up to get married end
of next year.’
‘Oh, congratulations!’ said Phryne. Phryne’s first case had
involved her with a rapist and abortionist. One of his pitiful
victims had been Alice Greenham, the girl of Cec’s heart, but
she had hitherto put off his suit until she felt that he had had
enough time to change his mind. His dogged refusal to do so
had at last, it seemed, paid off. Cec grinned.
‘Champagne with dessert, if you please, Mr. Butler,’ said
Phryne. ‘Can you tell Mrs. B with my congratulations that we
could not have had a better lunch at the Ritz in London? It was
superb. Especially the salmon mayonnaise,’ added Phryne, who
had been aware of a certain amount of plate-flinging while it was
cooking. Mr. Butler bowed and withdrew to get the champagne
glasses and tell his wife the good news.
‘All right, Miss, we’ll do it,’ conceded Bert, ‘but it ain’t going
to be easy if you don’t know what we’re looking for.’
‘I know. Give it a try. I’m gambling on a feeling—that’s never
reliable as a cause of action but it often works, eh?’
Bert agreed and took some more chicken.
‘What about us?’ asked Ruth, taking up an asparagus spear
and sliding it into her mouth. She wasn’t sure how to eat them
until she had seen Phryne do the same. The taste was new and
she savoured it. Phryne was watching. Was Ruth to be pro-or
anti-asparagus? She liked feeding her adopted daughters new
things; their reactions were different. Jane decided right away
if a taste was good or not. Ruth was willing to give even boiled
pumpkin ten or more tries before she decided that she loathed
it. Ruth reached for another piece. Asparagus was definitely on
her menu.