Title: Appearances Can Be Deceptive
Fandom: Miss Marple
Rating: G
Length: 748 words
Summary: Miss Marple may be gentle, but this should not be taken for granted.

Giles Featherstone knew the type – an old lady, a bit nosy, like all these old biddies, but sitting with her knitting, quite refined, in a decaying sort of way, very gentle, he’d be able to charm her without any difficulty.

He walked over to where she was sitting. “Ah, Miss Marple, I did hear your name correctly, didn’t I?” She smiled, so he continued before she had a chance to say anything. “I’m so sorry for the little contretemps you witnessed between myself and my fiancée at dinner. Just a little pre-wedding nerves. I’m sure you understand.” He smiled at her, his expression one of sympathy and understanding.

Miss Marple smiled back. Had he known her better, he’d have noticed the smile held no warmth, but instead was extremely judgemental. “Oh, dear me, yes. I understand perfectly.”

***

The following morning, Miss Marple contrived to sit at a table close to Featherstone and his fiancée. When she had finished her breakfast she suddenly held a hand to her head, and said, “Oh dear, I do feel a little faint. I wonder Mr Featherstone, if you would mind if your charming fiancée would accompany me outside for a few minutes, just until I feel a little better.”

“Of course,” Featherstone replied. “Delia, off you go!”

As soon as they were outside, Miss Marple took Delia’s arm firmly in her own and said, “I suggest we go somewhere we cannot be observed. Come along, dear.” She led the way to a quiet bench she had discovered the day before. Once they were both seated, she continued, “You’re having second thoughts about the wedding, aren’t you?”

Delia looked at her, but remained silent.

“And you are very wise to do so. Now, I know it will be difficult, no doubt your family are delighted with the match, but I believe a few unpleasant days now would save you from a lifetime of unpleasantness.”

Delia started to sob. “It’s true, but what can I do about it?”

“Well, you have your handbag with you, in which I assume you have your money and any other essentials. Have you left anything of real importance in your room?”

“Not really, just a few clothes, most of which I bought for this weekend away.”

“So therefore could be replaced, although somehow I doubt you would wish to.” Miss Marple’s eyes twinkled. “Then I suggest you take the little path you can see on the right. It leads through those few trees and out onto the main road. Not far along is the bus stop, and there should be a bus along in half an hour.”

“Oh, but what if…”

“Firstly, it will take a while for Featherstone to even notice your absence. Then he will come looking for you, assuming that you’ve stayed with me. When he finds me I will tell him how kind you were, how gentle you were with me, and how you’d waited until I felt better. I shall also say that you left me only a few minutes ago, so he must have missed you as he came to look for you.”

“Will you be all right on your own?”

“Oh, perfectly. I have my book in my bag. It’s a very pleasant morning, so I shall happily sit and read here. I much prefer reading outside earlier in the day, before it gets too hot. Now, off you go!”

“Thank you for everything, Miss Marple,” Delia said. She bent down and kissed her on the cheek.

Miss Marple watched her as Delia followed the path, turning to give a quick wave as she disappeared out of sight. Then she took out her book and began to read.

Several chapters later, Featherstone appeared. “Miss Marple,” he said. “Have you seen Delia?”

“Oh, she left me a few minutes ago. She’d been so kind and stayed to make sure I felt better, I hope you don’t mind.” Featherstone shook his head, the understanding look back on his face. “She was going back to the hotel. Perhaps you missed her when you came out?”

“I must have done.” Featherstone gave a brief nod and strode off back in the direction of the hotel.

About quarter of an hour later, when Miss Marple herself returned to the hotel, she found Featherstone berating the staff and demanding to know where his fiancée was. But as Miss Marple had expected, no-one suspected a quiet, gentle old lady of having anything to do with Delia’s sudden disappearance.