Aunt Bessie Decides

by Diana Xarissa

  “It’s interesting that she didn’t tie the accident to Scott’s murder, either,” Bessie said thoughtfully. “None of them seem to have made that connection.”

  “No, they haven’t,” John agreed. “And as you said earlier, aside from Penny, they all insisted that whoever tampered with the balcony wasn’t trying to kill anyone, no matter who the target might have actually been.”

  “So, does that mean that the two incidents aren’t connected?” Bessie asked.

  “I’m not a huge fan of coincidence, especially in the middle of a murder investigation,” John replied. “At the moment, I’m investigating the two crimes separately, but I’m looking for connections that I think must be there, somewhere.”

  A tap on the door saved Bessie having to admit that she felt completely clueless. Doona stuck her head in.

  “It’s nearly lunchtime,” she said cheerfully. “I’ve booked us a table at La Terrazza, and we don’t want to be late.”

  “Oh, goodness,” Bessie exclaimed. “That does sound good. I think we were just about finished, weren’t we?” she asked the inspector.

  He laughed. “If we weren’t already, we would be now,” he said. “I couldn’t possibly make us late for lunch.”

  The trio exited out the back of the station, climbing into the inspector’s car for the short journey towards the waterfront.

  “I just heard that Andy Caine is doing all the puddings at La Terrazza until the end of the summer,” Bessie told the others. “He’s accepted a place at a culinary college in Leeds, starting in September, but for now he’s baking cakes and pies for La Terrazza.”

  “Is Anne still working there as well?” Doona asked about Andy’s mother.

  “No, Andy’s insisted that she quit both her jobs and just take it easy for now. I saw her in Shopfast last week and she said she’s going to start job hunting as soon as he goes off to school. Apparently she doesn’t need the money now, but she’s bored out of her mind just sitting around at home.”

  “She’s earned a bit of a break,” Doona said.

  “She has indeed,” Bessie agreed. “She’s also thinking of taking a few classes at the college here on the island. She never even finished her A-levels, and that’s always bothered her. Andy just wants her to be happy, so he’s offered to pay for whatever classes she wants.”

  “I’m so very pleased for them both,” Doona told Bessie. “Sometimes good things happen to good people.”

  “They do,” Bessie agreed. “Maybe not as often as we’d like, but they really do.”

  The restaurant was busy and Bessie was glad that Doona had thought to make a booking. Hugh was already at the table, working his way through a plate of garlic bread, when they arrived.

  “I’m sure you got that for us all to share,” John commented as he sat down and took a piece.

  “Oh, um, sure,” Hugh stammered, flushing. “Please, help yourself,” he said to Doona and Bessie with a marked lack of enthusiasm.

  Bessie laughed. “You and John eat it,” she told the man. “I’ll order another plate of it for me and Doona to share.”

  Their waitress, Debbie, was a young woman who had spent some time in Bessie’s spare room, so she was quick to take their order and very attentive.

  “I’m sure I never thanked you for all those nights when you listened to my stupid teenaged drama,” the girl told Bessie. “The least I can do to make up for it is make sure you have excellent service.”

  Bessie laughed. “I’m sure you did say ‘thank you,’” she replied. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have let you come back.”

  Debbie laughed. “All my friends at uni say I’m ever so polite,” she answered. “I’m sure you were a good part of that.”

  Bessie enjoyed having a chance to catch up with her young friend, even if the conversation was constantly interrupted by Debbie’s work responsibilities.

  In the middle of a busy restaurant, the foursome wasn’t going to be able to discuss Scott’s murder anyway, so no one was bothered by Debbie’s frequent visits. Andy Caine stopped by as well.

  “I suggest the shortbread,” he told them with a grin. “I’ll admit it. I’ve shamelessly stolen Aunt Bessie’s recipe, but I make it fancier by plating it with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream and a warm caramel sauce.”

  “Sold,” Hugh said with a laugh.

  In the end, they all tried the suggested pudding and they all cleared their plates, in spite of the garlic bread and generous servings of Italian favourites they’d already eaten.

  “We should do this more often,” Bessie said as they slowly made their way out of the restaurant. “I don’t think I’ll need to eat again for a week.”

  “I should be okay until dinner time,” Hugh said with a grin, making everyone laugh.

  The inspector asked Hugh to give Bessie a ride home, as he had to get back to the station for a meeting. Doona rode back with him, sure she wouldn’t be in too much trouble over her long lunch hour, since she’d been with the boss.

  Back at home, Bessie decided that she needed to take another walk. She felt too full to just sit and read, and the cottage was tidy enough for now. The beach was busy, but Bessie didn’t mind dodging sandcastles and rugby balls as she walked along it. She didn’t see Joan and Janet anywhere, but they had mentioned heading out to Castle Rushen for the day, so presumably that’s where they were.

  This time, when she reached the stairs to Thie yn Traie, the Pierce family mansion, she decided to climb up and have a peek. The stairs felt a bit wobbly, but she made it safely to the top and then stood blinking in the bright sunlight.

  She’s forgotten how large and how ugly the house was. From the beach, she could only see the wall of windows that faced out towards the sea. Now she looked at the many wings that jutted out from the main house, making the entire structure look like an unfortunately beached octopus.

  She glanced around but didn’t see anyone, so she walked forward slowly. She’d spent some time inside the mansion, but had only ever been in a few rooms. Now curiosity had her wanting to peer in as many windows as she could. Before she could make it to the closest windows, however, she was interrupted.

  “Bessie? Bessie Cubbon? Is that you?” The voice surprised her and she quickly turned towards it. Someone was walking down the drive towards her, but with the sun behind him, she couldn’t see who it was.

  She stood still, waiting until he came closer. She was too old to be trying to run away and besides, she wasn’t doing anything wrong, really. Maybe she was trespassing a little bit, but it wasn’t like she was planning to do any damage to anything.

  It was still a relief when the man got closer and she recognised him. “Robert Clague, I’m awfully glad it’s you,” she admitted.

  “What are you doing up here?” he asked.

  “I was just being nosy,” Bessie said with a shrug. “I was inside once or twice, but I wanted another look before it was sold and someone new moved in.”

  “It looks pretty much the same, I’d guess,” Robert told her. “The family is selling it fully furnished. They didn’t want to keep anything that might remind them of the island.”

  “That’s so sad,” Bessie said. “Especially after their many happy years here.”

  “I guess after what happened it’s understandable,” Robert said.

  “Of course it is,” Bessie agreed. “Anyway, what are you doing here?”

  Robert grinned. “Manxman Security is guarding the property until it’s sold. There are a lot of curiosity seekers and the like, and the family would rather not have nosy people poking around the place and taking pictures.”

  Bessie blushed. “Oh, dear,” she said quietly.

  Robert laughed. “Anyway, we’ve someone here twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week at the moment. Apparently a sale is practically agreed, though, so I guess we’ll be gone soon, unless the new owners are super security conscious as well.”

  “I don’t suppose you know anything about the buyers?” Bessie asked h
opefully.

  “Unfortunately, no, I don’t,” he told her. “You should call your advocate. He’s handling everything.”

  “And he won’t tell me anything until it’s all public knowledge,” she replied.

  “I suppose that’s how it should be,” Robert suggested.

  “Yes,” Bessie agreed with a laugh. “It’s just frustrating.”

  “Anyway, if I had a key, I’d let you have a wander around, but I don’t,” he told her apologetically. “But feel free to walk around and look in windows, if you’d like.”

  Bessie blushed again. “That’s okay,” she said. “I suppose I should get home and do something useful with the rest of the day. It was great to see you again, though.”

  “You too,” he told her. He gave her a quick and unexpected hug, and then turned to walk back towards the small guardhouse that was just inside the gate. Bessie was quick to head back towards the stairs, embarrassed at having been caught snooping.

  She was halfway home before the sheer ridiculousness of the situation hit her. She burst out laughing, shocking a couple of small children who were building a sandcastle near her feet. Apparently it was her day for embarrassing herself, she decided, as she quickly made her way home. No doubt Robert thought she was a nosy little old lady, and goodness only knew what those children and their parents thought of her.

  Safely back in her little cottage, Bessie decided that she needed to lose herself in someone else’s imagination and forget all about her awkward afternoon.

  Having thoroughly enjoyed spending time with an elderly spy, she now turned to another favourite. This time the lady in question was the widow of an enterprising criminal who had left his lovely wife with a notebook full of contacts for whatever emergencies might arise. Bessie quickly forgot herself in the other woman’s fictional world, which seemed to be suddenly full of unexpected calamities. The knock on her door was something of a shock.

  Bessie walked to the door slowly, giving her mind time to refocus on the real world. It wasn’t until she reached the door that she thought to wonder who it might be. It would be unusual for any of her young visitors to come over on a school night. The caller knocked again, while Bessie stood there, feeling uneasy.

  She sighed and pulled the door open, annoyed with herself for her timid behaviour. Whomever she’d been expecting, it wasn’t who she found there.

  “Ah, so Penny was right about how to find you,” Candy said with a huge smile. “I’m so glad I found you at home.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Bessie stared at her visitor with John Rockwell’s words ringing in her ears. She needed to call Doona; she’d promised she would.

  “Candy, what an unexpected surprise,” she said. “I was just going to take a short walk. Would you care to join me?”

  Candy laughed throatily. “Don’t want me in your house?” she asked. “I guess I can’t blame you, with a murderer running around loose.”

  Bessie wasn’t sure how to reply. “Not at all,” she said hesitantly. “That is, I try to take a walk every day.” And I’ve already had two today, she added, but only to herself.

  “Fair enough,” Candy said. “Hey, here’s an idea. While we’re walking, why don’t you bring your phone and call your friend the police inspector? I bet he’d love to hear that I’m visiting.”

  Bessie sighed. “Actually, I’m going to call my friend Doona,” she told Candy. “She worries about me rather too much since someone tried to kill me.”

  Candy laughed again. “You call whomever you want,” she told Bessie cheerfully. “I’m harmless. I just needed a break from all the drama.”

  “I can understand that,” Bessie said dryly.

  Candy laughed until a coughing fit started. Bessie went into the kitchen and fetched her a glass of water, leaving Candy on her doorstep, coughing violently.

  “Oh, that’s much better,” Candy said after several swallows. “Okay, grab your phone and your keys and let’s walk. I’ll wait for you on the big rock out back. Penny told us all about it.”

  Candy was gone before Bessie replied, quickly disappearing behind the cottage. Bessie shut the door and then, after a moment’s hesitation, locked it as well. Doona and the inspector are making me paranoid, she grumbled to herself as she headed to the phone. If she was quick, she could call Doona now and save herself from having to call her in front of the other woman.

  Doona was still at the station, so Bessie was able to reach her right away.

  “It’s Bessie. Candy’s just turned up at my door,” she told her friend.

  “Stay outside with her,” Doona said, sounding anxious. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  Bessie slipped on her shoes, tucked her phone in a pocket and grabbed her keys. She let herself out her back door, locking it behind her. Candy was, as promised, sitting on the large rock. The tide was coming in and Bessie was careful to avoid the cold water as she approached the rock.

  “Penny was right,” Candy said quietly when Bessie reached her. “It’s idyllic here.”

  “Thank you,” Bessie said.

  “I suppose those little cottages are expensive?” Candy asked, gesturing towards the cottages along the beach.

  “They’re holiday homes,” Bessie told her. “I’ve no idea how much they cost to hire, though.”

  “Whatever it is, I’m sure I can’t afford it,” Candy said with a sigh.

  “I was fortunate to buy my little place many, many years ago,” Bessie said. “I couldn’t possibly afford to buy anything now. Prices on the island have gone crazy in the last few years.”

  “How long have you had the cottage?”

  “I bought it when I was eighteen,” she told Candy. “I was left a small legacy which was just enough to buy the cottage and support me for a short while.”

  “What did you do when the money ran out?”

  “Again, I had some luck,” Bessie said. “My advocate helped me make some very clever investments. It’s been more years than I want to count and the money hasn’t run out yet.”

  Candy sighed. “I was never any good at saving money,” she told Bessie. “I got paid what felt like a fortune to me for the two movies I starred in, but I spent every penny on living extravagantly. Why buy a car when you hire a limousine to take you everywhere? Why cook when you can eat in fancy restaurants every night? Unfortunately, after the second movie, the work dried up, but my lifestyle didn’t adapt. And, to make matters worse, I don’t think I learned anything from my mistakes.”

  “What do you mean?” Bessie asked.

  Candy gave a short, humourless laugh. “Once Scott got hired to do Market Square the two of us went on a spending spree. We got rooms at a fancy London hotel and ate out every night.” She shook her head.

  “There were rumours flying that Scott was about to lose his job, as well,” she confided in Bessie. “If he had, we’d have been stuck, penniless in London.” She laughed again, harshly. “Of course, now I’m stuck, penniless, here.”

  “Which is why you were trying to get your job back with William,” Bessie said.

  “Exactly,” Candy sighed deeply. “Everything I earned from working as Scott’s agent is spent and my credit cards are at their limits. If William doesn’t take me back, I’m not sure what I’ll do. Eventually the insurance should give me a small boost, but that could take months to process, apparently.”

  Bessie didn’t have any good advice to offer, but luckily Doona arrived in time to save her from admitting as much to Candy.

  “There you two are,” Doona said in an artificially bright voice. “Isn’t a lovely afternoon to be sitting on the beach?”

  Candy laughed. “No, not really,” she said. “What I really want to do is get stinking drunk and complain about men. Anyone else want to join me?”

  Doona exchanged glances with Bessie and then laughed. “You know, I could do with a session like that,” she admitted. “I’ve had a rough time with men lately.”

  Bessie weighed up her options a
nd then grinned. “Why not?” she asked. “Let’s go buy a couple bottles of wine and something for dinner.”

  Doona looked surprised and then laughed. “Why do I think this is all going to go badly wrong?” she asked.

  “No doubt,” Candy said seriously. “But what the he…, er, heck. Let’s go for it.”

  Bessie grabbed her handbag and the trio climbed into Doona’s car. The nearest large grocery store was in Ramsey, so Doona headed there. Once inside, the trio split up. Doona and Candy headed for the wine section, while Bessie wandered the aisles, trying to figure out what to prepare for her unexpected guests.

  Candy and Doona found her standing in front of the meat counter, wearing a frown. “What sounds good?” Bessie asked the other two.

  “Can you get pizza delivered to your cottage?” Candy asked. “That way no one has to fuss.”

  “Oh, but,” Bessie began, but Doona interrupted.

  “Candy’s right. Let’s just order pizza,” she said. “No one in Laxey delivers,” she told Candy. “But I can call La Terrazza now and they’ll have whatever we want ready when get there. It’s very close to Bessie’s cottage.”

  Bessie blinked a couple of times when she saw how many bottles of wine the other two women had selected. They’d also collected several bags of crisps and assorted crackers on their trip around the store. Bessie and Doona insisted on paying, while Candy dug around in her handbag, seemingly unable to find her wallet.

  “It’s fine,” Bessie assured the woman. “You can be our guest, just this once.”

  Candy flushed and muttered embarrassed words of thanks. While Doona loaded up the car, Bessie called in their order to La Terraza, ordering far more food than she expected they could eat. She’d much rather have leftovers than run out, especially with the amount of wine the other two seemed to be planning to drink. They’d need a lot of food to help soak up all that alcohol.

  Doona dashed into the restaurant once they arrived back in Laxey and she was quickly back with several steaming pizza boxes.

  “Oh, that smells amazing,” Candy gasped as Doona set the boxes on the backseat next to her.