Fruit Cake and Fear
Page 16
“A cactus,” she laughed. “It’s perfect.”
“Stick it in your new flat,” Miles said, smiling softly at her, the sadness obvious in his eyes. “Where are you moving to again?”
“Scarlet Cove,” she reminded him. “On the South Coast.”
“What’s wrong with Manchester? Scarlet Cove sounds like something out of a movie. Be careful of those small town people. You think it’s bad in the city, but I’ve heard they’re even worse down there.”
“I think my days of murder and chasing after thugs are well and truly behind me,” she said, looking down into the bag again. “And I’m glad of it. Thank you. This really means a lot.”
Liz was not much of a hugger and Miles knew that, but she wanted to break her own rules this once. She rigidly wrapped her arms around his shoulders and patted firmly, knowing the gesture alone conveyed how she felt. The fruity scent of her best friend’s aftershave tickled her nostrils, almost prompting tears.
“You can drive down anytime you want to see me,” Liz reminded him, pulling herself together as she straightened out her uniform. “And there are trains. I’m not even leaving the country.”
“I know,” he said, tears lining the corners of his eyes. “Look at me. I should go back in. They’re about to cut the cake. Are you coming?”
“I’ll follow you in,” she said, dropping the bag to her side. “Thank you, Miles. Thank you for everything.”
“You’re very welcome, Detective Elizabeth Jones,” he said with a wink as he pushed on the door. “You better get used to being just ‘Liz’ from now on.”
The door closed behind Miles, leaving Liz alone in the empty, sterile corridor. She looked down at the cactus, knowing she would like being ‘just Liz’ very much.
Deciding she was not in the mood for cake after all, Liz grabbed her small box of things from her office and headed for the front desk. On the way, she made sure to pass the memorial wall. She looked at the most recent addition and smiled at the portrait of the handsome man with the strong jawline. Even now, it still made her stomach flutter.
“Goodbye, Lewis,” Liz whispered, kissing her fingers and resting them on his lips. “I promise I’ll try and have a good life.”
Liz allowed one tear to slip out before quickly wiping it away. Turning on her heels, she straightened her back, and headed for the front door. With her box of memories and her new cactus, she walked into the bright sunlight, ready for her new adventure…
Continued in DEAD IN THE WATER on September 12th! Click Here to PREORDER your copy!
Also by Agatha Frost
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