Run: 2026-04-24-01KPZTY2EY1DA0BS5RVW6FQKEF

The bell above the door jingled as Margaret swept in, her knitting bag swinging wildly against her hip. Flour dust hung in the morning light like gossip waiting to settle. "You'll never guess what I saw outside Harold's cottage last night." "If it's that tabby cat again, I swear—" "A woman. In a green coat. At half past eleven." The rolling pin paused mid-stroke. "Harold doesn't know any women in green coats." "Exactly." "Well, perhaps it was Mrs. Pemberton. She has that olive mackintosh." "Mrs. Pemberton is in Brighton visiting her sister. Has been since Tuesday." "Scone?" "Don't change the subject. Currant, please." The little paper bag crinkled between them as it changed hands. Outside, a delivery van rumbled past, rattling the window display of cream horns. "You don't suppose it has anything to do with the missing silver, do you?" "I suppose a great many things before my second cup of tea. Doesn't mean any of them are true." "But you'll ask around?" "I'll do no such thing. I'll bake. You'll ask around. That's how it's always worked." "Fair enough. Make it two scones, then. I've got a long morning ahead."