by Adele Abbott
Her semi was on a quiet cul-de-sac in Long Wash. I had to park a little way down the street because there were already three cars parked outside her house. A tall man sporting a short kilt answered the door.
“Yes?” he barked.
“I’m here to see Elizabeth.”
“She isn’t accepting visitors at the moment. You may not be aware of this, but her husband died in tragic circumstances earlier this week.”
“Actually, she called yesterday and asked me to come over.”
“I see. What’s your name?”
“Jill Maxwell.”
“Would you mind waiting there while I go and check with her?”
“No problem.”
He closed the door and left me standing on the doorstep. After five minutes, I was beginning to think he’d abandoned me, but then the door opened, and the same man beckoned me inside. I could hear voices coming from the lounge.
“Elizabeth is upstairs in her bedroom. She told me to send you up. It’s the first door on the right.”
“Thanks.”
I made my way upstairs and knocked on the door. A quiet voice came from inside. “Come in.”
Elizabeth, who was in her dressing gown, was sitting on the bed. Her hair was dishevelled, her complexion pale, and her eyes blotchy. She had a half-empty box of tissues on the bed beside her, and the wastepaper bin at her feet was overflowing with them.
“Thank you for coming.” She sounded hoarse.
“Are you sure you feel up to this? We could leave it for a few days if you like?”
“No, I want to do it now. Why don’t you take a seat?” She pointed to the armchair next to the bedside cabinet.
“I’m very sorry for your loss, Elizabeth.”
“Thank you. I still can’t believe what’s happened.” She began to sob. “The night before he died, Doug told me he was going to call you. He said you were a private investigator?”
“That’s right.”
“He said that Debbie had told him you’d been asking questions about the owners of the lido.”
“Debbie said she didn’t know who the new owner was, but that her salary was being paid by a company called Reptile Holdings.”
“That’s right. Things started to go wrong when they took over.”
“What do you mean?”
“Before the change of ownership, Doug had worked at the lido for over fifteen years, and he loved every minute of it. He started out as a lifeguard and worked his way up to manager. But then the previous owner decided that he wanted to take early retirement and sell the business. The first Doug knew about it was when he came around to say goodbye to everyone. That’s when everything changed.”
“In what way?”
“The first thing the new owners did was to get rid of half the staff. Then they cut the wages of those left behind, so they were doing twice the work for less money.”
“Doug can’t have been very happy about that.”
“Of course not, but he still loved working at the lido, so he soldiered on. Then the rumours started.”
“Rumours?”
“That the lido was going to be closed down, and the land built upon.”
“Was Doug upset?”
“He was more angry than upset. Angry that they would do something like that without saying anything to the staff. That’s when he began to investigate Reptile Holdings. He was determined to find out who was behind the company so that he could try and convince them of the error of their ways.”
“And did he? Find out who it is, I mean?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know.”
“Didn’t he tell you?”
“No. He said it was better that I didn’t know because it could put me in danger. To be perfectly honest, I thought he was exaggerating, but then—” Her words faded away for a few seconds. “Sorry about that. He said he was going to tell you everything, but he never got the chance.”
“What have the police said about his death?”
“They’re treating it as an accident. They reckon he must have slipped and hit his head as he fell into the pool. But that’s rubbish. Doug was an experienced lifeguard and always incredibly careful. Someone did this to him, and I want you to find out who it was.”
“I—err—I’m not sure—”
“If it’s the money, Doug had life insurance. As soon as that comes through, I’ll be able to pay you.”
“It isn’t the money.”
“Please, will you help me? I have to find out who did this to Doug and make sure they’re brought to justice.”
“Of course I will.”
Chapter 9
After running the figures, I’d come to the conclusion that I was spending way too much money on coffee and cake.
What do you mean, you could have told me that years ago?
I was dying for a cup of tea, but I didn’t want to spend any more money today. Nor did I want to go back to the office and have to listen to Mrs V complaining about Winky and her missing yellow yarn. So, instead, I decided to try my luck down at Kathy’s shop—the first in her vast empire. There was no guarantee she’d be there because these days she seemed to spend most of her time at home.
I got lucky; she was there, talking to her manager. When she spotted me, she beckoned me inside.
“I assume you’re after a cup of tea, Jill.”
That sister of mine could read me like a book.
“Why would you think that?”
“Because that’s the only time you come down here.”
“That’s not true.” It so was. “I actually came to tell you about the arrangements for our girls’ night out next week, but seeing as how you’re offering, a cup of tea would be most acceptable.”
“I didn’t.”
“You didn’t what?”
“Offer to make you a cup of tea.”
“Please, Kathy, I’m parched.”
“Come on, then.”
“Have I ever told you that you’re my favourite sister?”
I followed her into the small office at the back of the shop.
“Have I ever told you that you’re a creep?”
“Often, but I know you don’t mean it.”
Kathy switched on the kettle. “Do you think we should still call her RiRi or did we ought to call her Rita now?”
“Rita, I suppose.”
“Yeah, I think you’re right. I mean, no one calls you Beans anymore, do they?”
“Nobody’s ever called me Beans.”
“Yes, they did.” She laughed. “Everyone at school used to call you that because you always had a Beanie Baby with you.”
“You’ve just made that up.”
“If you say so. So, what are the arrangements for next week?”
“We’re going to meet at eight o’clock on Wednesday night outside Wash Upon A Time.”
“Is that the new bar in Wash Square?”
“Yeah, that’s the one.”
“Have you been in there?”
“No, I didn’t even know it was there until Rita mentioned it.”
“I’m really looking forward to a night out.” Kathy yawned. “Sorry, I’m shattered.”
“I don’t see how you can be tired. You don’t get up until midday most days.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. Who do you think gets the kids off to school every day?”
“Peter?”
“Some chance. He’s long gone before they’ve even had their breakfast. No, it’s muggins here. I’m tired because I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night.”
“Peter feeling amorous, was he?”
“No chance. He was fast asleep, snoring his head off.”
“What kept you awake, then? Are you worried about the business?”
“No, nothing like that. I told you that we had new neighbours, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, you said you thought they seemed okay.”
“They did, but last night they were playing mu
sic until all hours. That’s why I couldn’t sleep.”
“Didn’t it keep Peter awake too?”
“No, that man could sleep through anything. When I told him about it this morning, he said it can’t have been all that bad because it didn’t wake him up.”
“You should have a word with them and tell them it’s unacceptable.”
“I plan to do just that. It wouldn’t have been so bad if the music had been something I liked, but it was jazz. I mean, who likes jazz?”
“Are you sure that’s what it was?”
“Of course I am; I know jazz when I hear it.”
Oh bum!
“Maybe it would be better if you didn’t say anything to your neighbours yet.”
“You just said I should go around there.”
“I—err—was a bit hasty. Perhaps it was a one-off? It might not happen again.”
“I shouldn’t have to put up with that noise.”
“I know, but you did say that they’ve only just moved in. You don’t want to risk falling out with them, do you? There’s nothing worse than being at war with your neighbours.”
“That’s true.”
“I’d give it a few days and see what happens.”
“You’re probably right, but if it continues, I’ll have to do something about it.”
It was time to change the subject. “How’s Lizzie’s leg?”
“It’s fine. She went back to school this morning.”
“Already?”
“Yeah. The doctor said it was okay if she took it steady on her crutches.”
“And how is she? Apart from her leg, I mean.”
“Okay.”
“No problems at school or anything?”
“What makes you ask that? She didn’t say something to you the other day, did she?”
“No, I would have said. What about Mikey? How’s he doing?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. He barely talks to me these days. I’m lucky if I get the occasional grunt out of him. He spends all his time on Snapchat, TikTok or whatever social media app is flavour of the week.”
“Don’t you worry about that?”
“Of course I do, but there’s a limit to what I can do about it. When Florence is a teenager, you’ll have all this to deal with.”
“I can’t wait. At least I only have to cope with caterpillars at the moment.”
We hadn’t been chatting for very long when the manager popped her head around the door to ask if Kathy could help with a difficult customer. Kathy said I should stay put, but I’d finished my tea, so I made my excuses and left.
What on earth was Henry thinking, playing jazz all hours of the night? I would have to have a serious word with that young elf, and I’d need to do it quickly, before Kathy picked a fight with her new neighbours.
Why was nothing in my life ever straight forward?
***
As I walked past Coffee Rock, I happened to glance through the window, and I spotted Daze and Blaze.
They were jiving!
And boy, those two could certainly move. I’d been watching them for a couple of minutes when Daze saw me and gestured that I should go inside.
“I had no idea you two were so talented,” I said.
“Daze and I have won the Rogue Retrievers jive competition for the last two years in a row,” Blaze said.
“Colour me impressed.”
The three of us took a seat close to the jukebox.
“Can I get you a drink, Jill?” Daze offered.
“No, thanks. I’ve just had a cup of tea at Kathy’s shop. Is it your day off?”
“No such luck. We’re just on our break. We’ve been trying to track down the Canary Brothers all week.”
“Who are they?”
“A couple of wizards. Nasty pieces of work, both of them.”
“Why are they called the Canary Brothers?”
“Because—” Daze’s phone rang. “Yes. Okay. I understand. We’ll be right there. Sorry, Jill, but we have to shoot off. It’s an emergency.”
“Okay, see you.”
***
I’d had more than enough for one day, so I called Mrs V to tell her I was headed home. I parked outside the old watermill, but before heading inside, I wanted to update Grandma on the lido situation.
When I walked through the hotel entrance, who should I bump into but Mr Ivers.
“Hello, Jill. If you’re here for your movie newsletter, I’m afraid you’re a week early.”
“Actually, I’m here to see my grandmother. How are things with you, Mr Ivers?”
“Top-notch. Couldn’t be better.”
“Are you sure? You seemed a little out of sorts the last time I saw you.”
“Really? I don’t remember that. I’m tickety-boo.”
“That’s good to hear. And how are you enjoying working here?”
“I love it. I get to meet lots of people, and there’s always something to do.”
“No problems, then?”
“None.”
“And nothing unusual has happened?”
“Unusual? Not that I can think of. Except for the ants, but your grandmother said I wasn’t to talk about those.”
“Great.”
By the time I reached the desk, the receptionist had already called Grandma. “Your grandmother says you can go straight to her office.”
“Right. Thanks.”
“I hope you have some good news for a change, Jill.” Grandma was sporting a curly wig.
“Err—not really.” I couldn’t take my eyes off her hair. “Why are you wearing that?”
“Wearing what?”
“That wig?”
“It’s not a wig. This is my own hair. I’ve had it restyled.”
“O—kay.”
“Have you found out who owns the lido yet?”
“It’s a company called Reptile Holdings.”
“And who are they when they’re at home?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“Why not? What am I paying you for, exactly?”
“You aren’t paying me.”
“Don’t split hairs. Have you made any progress at all?”
“I spoke to the manager’s widow.”
“What did she have to say?”
“She believes her husband was killed because he was trying to find out more about the owners of the lido.”
“What did I tell you? Something decidedly fishy is going on there, and the sooner you find out what it is, the better.”
I’d eaten the last two custard creams that morning, so I called in at the village store to replenish my stock. Much to my surprise and relief, they were in the same spot as the last time I’d purchased them, which meant I was in and out of the shop much quicker than I’d expected.
As I stepped outside, I almost ran straight into the vicar, who was wearing a scarf wrapped so tightly around his neck, I was amazed he could breathe, let alone talk.
“Hi, Jill.” He glanced at the five packets of biscuits under my arm. “I see you’re keen on custard creams.”
“They are the king of biscuits, Vicar.”
“I’m more of a Jammie Dodger man myself. By the way, I’m grateful that you’ll be helping out next week.”
“Sorry?”
“At the village fete. I bumped into Jack when he was taking your little girl to school. I mentioned that we were looking for volunteers to man the stalls, and he said you and he would be happy to help out.”
“Did he? That was nice of him. When exactly is the fete, Vicar?”
“A week on Sunday. Let’s hope the weather holds out.”
“Yeah. Fingers crossed.”
I was almost home when who should I bump into, but my good friend, Stewart.
“Jill, I’m glad I’ve seen you.” That made one of us. “You’ve got an awful lot of custard creams there.”
“Did you want something, Stewart, because I’m in a bit of a hurry.”
“I need Buddy.”
<
br /> “You may need a buddy, Stewart, but I don’t think you and I could ever be friends. Not after the stunt you pulled.”
“I didn’t mean I need a buddy. I need Buddy the Chihuahua. I want him back.”
“What? Why the sudden change of heart?”
“I’m missing the little guy. I didn’t think I would, but the house seems empty without him.”
“That’s not what you said the last time I saw you. You sounded like you were glad to see the back of him.”
“I was wrong. So, can I have him back? Please.”
“I don’t see why not.”
“Great. Shall I come and get him tonight? Say, seven o’clock?”
“Sure.”
I’d be pleased to see the back of the little monster.
As soon as I walked through the door, Florence came running over and gave me a big hug.
“Mummy, I found a caterpillar. It’s red with yellow spots.”
“Are you sure about that, darling? I don’t think there are any red caterpillars around here.”
“There are, Mummy. His name is Archie. Do you want to come outside to see him?”
“Maybe later. I have to talk to Daddy first. You go out and play and I’ll join you in a few minutes.”
Jack looked up from his newspaper. “Has Florence told you about Archie?”
“She has. That girl is obsessed with caterpillars. But never mind about them, I have some great news.”
“Have we won the lottery?”
“No, something almost as good. Stewart wants Buddy back.”
“What?”
“I bumped into him in the village just now. He says he’s missing the little dog.”
“Well, he can’t have him.”
“What do you mean? This is our chance to get rid of him.”
“Are you insane, Jill? Florence loves her dog. She’d be devastated.”
“Are you sure? She doesn’t like feeding him. She always says his food smells bad.”
“I’m telling you. If you give her dog away, she’ll never forgive you.”
“I suppose you’re right. Pity. Anyway, I’ve got a bone to pick with you.”
“What have I done now?”