by Adele Abbott
She started to close the door, but I managed to get my foot into the gap.
“Do you mind? Move your foot!”
“My sister, Kathy, works at Wool TV. She’s a suspect in your sister’s murder. I just want to find out who the real murderer is. Surely, you want to bring that person to justice?”
“I don’t see how I can help. Lucinda and I barely saw one another. I’ve only spoken to her a dozen times in the last five years.”
“Is that because of what happened between you and Michael?”
“You seem to know an awful lot about my private life.”
“I know that you and he were an item before he married Lucinda.”
“You’re barking up the wrong tree. Michael and I only ever went out for a short time; it was never very serious. We’d drifted apart long before he met Lucinda. In fact, he didn’t even realise she was my sister until they’d been out on a few dates.”
“Still, it must have irked when they got together.”
“No. It didn’t have any effect on me whatsoever. Michael and I were history by then. And besides, even if it had, do you think I would have waited until now to take my revenge?”
“So why did you and Lucinda fall out?”
“There was no particular reason—no flashpoint. I know this will sound awful, but the truth is I didn’t like her very much. She wasn’t a nice person. She was self-centred, selfish and narcissistic. They say blood is thicker than water, but that’s nonsense. You get to pick your friends.”
“Can you think of anyone who might have wanted to kill Lucinda?”
“You’re asking the wrong person. She and I were practically strangers. And anyway, I thought she’d been murdered by a serial killer. That’s what I read in the newspaper. Now, if you don’t mind.” She gently kicked my foot. “I’d really like you to leave.”
I did as she asked.
If what Audrey Bone had just told me was true, then it seemed that she and her sister were virtually strangers. I simply couldn’t convince myself that she’d had anything to do with her sister’s murder.
***
I stopped off at the local minimarket to pick up a bottle of ginger beer and a packet of custard creams. While I was in the queue, waiting to pay, I spotted something which I thought might provide Winky with a distraction from his fly fishing obsession.
“How is Armi, Mrs V?” She was knitting a luminous pink scarf, for reasons known only to herself.
“He’s getting around better on the crutches, but it looks like we’ll just be spectators at the Cuckoo Clock Appreciation Society dinner and dance.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I know how much you were both looking forward to it.”
“It’s just one of those things.” She shrugged. “But still, I do have Woolcon to look forward to. You must be getting excited about that, too?”
“Very.” Almost as much as my next dental appointment.
Winky was on the sofa, trying on one hat after another.
“I hope you haven’t been fly fishing out of the window again.”
“They’re not biting, today.” He sighed.
This was my opportunity to try out the gadget I’d bought at the minimarket. I slipped the pen-torch out of my pocket, and began to shine it on the dark wooden floor.
“Winky! Look!” I made the light dance across the floor.
“What am I meant to be looking at?”
“The light.” I made it dance around a little more.
“Yeah? So what? You’ve got a torch—big whoop!”
“Cats are meant to go crazy for this kind of thing.”
“Are you serious? I think you’ve been watching too many YouTube videos. No self-respecting cat would waste his time chasing around the floor after a patch of light. Did you buy that just to try and entertain me?”
“Yeah. I thought you’d like it.”
“If you want to spend money on me, why don’t you buy more salmon?”
***
When I arrived home that night, I heard voices coming from the lounge. It was Blake and Jen. I immediately feared the worst. Was Jen telling Jack that Blake was a wizard?
“Hi, everyone,” I said, nervously.
“Hi, Jill.” Blake seemed perfectly relaxed, which I found reassuring.
“Sorry for dropping in unannounced,” Jen said. “We actually came over to ask if you wanted to do dinner.”
“That sounds like a great idea. When did you have in mind?”
“Well, we had thought tonight,” Jen said. “But it looks as though these two now have other plans.”
“Oh?”
“Jack’s been showing me his trophy,” Blake said.
I’d been so concerned about what they might be discussing that I hadn’t even noticed Jack’s ten-pin bowling trophy, which was standing on the coffee table. He must have rescued it from the spare bedroom.
“I had no idea that Jack was into ten pin bowling,” Blake said. “If I’d known, I would have challenged him to a game before now.”
“These two have booked a lane for tonight,” Jen said.
“You don’t mind, do you, Jill?” Jack looked at me with those puppy dog eyes of his. “You and Jen can have a girly night in.”
“Okay by me.” I shrugged. “Just so long as you guys nip out and buy wine for us before you go.”
An hour later, Jen and I were enjoying takeaway pizza. The two guys had gone to the bowling alley. I wasn’t sure if I wanted Jack to win or lose—he would be unbearable either way.
We’d almost finished the pizza when there was a knock at the door. It was Mrs Rollo; she had a huge smile on her face.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Jill. Do you have a moment?”
“I’ve actually got a visitor just now, Mrs Rollo. Can it wait until later?”
“I just wanted to tell you that I’ve had exciting news.”
Something told me that Mrs Rollo’s idea of exciting news, and mine, were a million miles apart.
“I’ve been invited to appear on Bake TV.”
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s very popular among the baking crowd. They heard about my recent win with the fruit cake, and want me to take part in the Big Bake Challenge. I thought you might like to come along to the studio where they’re recording it, to cheer me on. I’ve got a few free tickets.”
This was a disaster. The only reason that Mrs Rollo had won a trophy for her fruit cake was because I’d replaced her creation with one I’d produced using magic. If I’d realised it would lead to this, I would never have done it. What was I supposed to do now? If I let her go on TV by herself, it would be a disaster. I couldn’t let her embarrass herself in that way; she might never get over it.
“Sure. That would be great.”
“I’ll let you have all the details later. Anyway, I don’t want to keep you from your guest, so I’ll say goodnight.”
Oh bum!
Jen was much better company that night than on the previous occasion when we’d stayed in together. All her doubts and fears concerning Blake seemed to have evaporated. Whenever she did mention him, it was in glowing terms.
It didn’t take us long to finish off the bottle of wine which Jack had fetched for us. Jen had drunk rather more than I had.
“We need more of this.” She waved the empty bottle at me.
“I can nip down to the shop, if you like?”
“No need.” She giggled. “I’ve got plenty over at my place.”
In no time at all, she was back with two more bottles of wine.
Two hours later, and Jen was pretty drunk. I had steadied off some time back, and had encouraged her to do the same, but she was having none of it.
“I really love Blake.” She hiccupped.
“He is a really cool guy.”
“You have no idea.” She laughed. “He’s more than just cool, but I can’t tell you why. It’s a secret.” She put a finger to her lips.
“Perhaps you should be getting back home,” I sugges
ted.
“No! We’re having fun, aren’t we?”
“Yes, of course. But it is getting late.”
“It’s not late.” She tapped her watch. “Where’s that wine?”
“It’s all gone.” I lied.
“Boo! That’s not fair! If Blake was here, he could magic us a new bottle.”
Oh no! This really was not good. I had to get her back home before she said something that she and I might both regret.
“Come on, Jen. I think we should get you home.”
“Not yet. The night’s still young.”
I ignored her protests, took her arm, and led her across the road.
“I’ll make coffee.” I eased her onto the sofa.
I figured that caffeine might bring her around, but by the time I’d made the drinks, and taken them through to the lounge, she was fast asleep. I had a quick slurp of coffee, and then made my way back across the road.
An hour later, Jack and Blake arrived back.
“Guess who won,” Jack said.
“Judging by the stupid expression on your face, I’m guessing you did.”
“Where’s Jen?” Blake looked around.
“She was tired, so I walked her home.”
“Is she okay?”
“Yeah. She’s fine.”
“I suppose I’d better get back.” Blake started for the door. “I demand a rematch soon, Jack.”
“Sure. Any time.”
I waited until Blake had left, and then said, “There’s something I meant to tell Jen. I won’t be a minute.” I was out of the door before Jack had the chance to ask any questions.
I caught up with Blake just as he was going into his house.
“Blake! Hold on a minute!”
I ushered him inside, and peered into the lounge. Jen was still fast asleep on the sofa.
“What’s wrong?” he said.
“Jen had too much to drink.”
“Everyone’s entitled to get a little tipsy every now and then.”
“It’s not that. She started talking about magic.”
“How do you mean?”
“She said that you’d be able to magic up a bottle of wine for us.”
“People say things like that all the time. She probably wasn’t talking about actual magic.”
“That’s not all. She said that you were a cool guy, and that I didn’t know just how cool, but that she couldn’t tell me because it was a secret.”
“Oh dear.”
“You have to have a serious talk to her, Blake. You have to make her understand the implications of her telling anyone your secret. It’s lucky it was me she said it to. What will happen if she goes drinking with a crowd of human friends, and spills the beans to them?”
“You’re right. Sorry, Jill. Don’t worry. I’ll speak to her.”
When I got back to the house, Jack looked concerned. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. Everything’s fine.”
“Why did you go rushing over there?”
“Jen had a little too much wine. That’s why I had to take her home earlier. I just wanted to double-check that she was okay.”
“And is she?”
“Yeah. She’s fast asleep on the sofa.”
“In other news, it would appear that I’m the undisputed king of ten pin bowling.” Jack looked smugger than I’d seen him look for some time.
“And yet, you can’t beat me.”
That wiped the grin off his face.
“Oh, by the way, Jill. I bumped into Mr Hosey on the way in from work. He was riding around on that silly little train of his.”
“I saw him too. You’ll never guess what he asked me.” I laughed. “He wanted to know if we’d like to go to his open house—to see his silly little train set. Can you imagine?”
“Yeah— about that—there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Please tell me you didn’t.”
“I think I may have.”
“May have? Have you or have you not told him we’ll go over there?”
“He caught me off guard.”
“Jack! Have you said we’ll go over there?”
“It’s your fault.”
“How is it my fault?”
“He said it was a pity we were going to visit my brother on Tuesday. I said we weren’t. That’s when he said—”
“Well that’s just fantastic. What better way to spend an evening than at Mr Hosey’s. I’ll probably never speak to you again.”
***
“Amber! Wait for me! Pearl! Wait!”
They were ahead of me in the corridor. The walls felt as though they were closing in on me.
“Amber! Pearl!”
Neither of them looked back. Even though they were only walking, I couldn’t catch up with them, no matter how fast I ran.
“Please, girls! Wait for me!”
They came to a staircase.
“Don’t go down there!”
They paid no heed to my words. By the time I reached the top of the stairs, they were nowhere to be seen. I took the stairs two at a time. When I reached the bottom, the twins were standing in front of a door. There was danger behind that door—I was sure of it.
“Amber! Don’t open that door! Pearl, stop her!”
Amber turned around to face me. “It’s okay, Jill. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“No! Amber, it’s dangerous! Don’t open that door! Pearl, you have to stop her!”
Amber turned the handle.
“Jill! Wake up!”
I sat up in bed.
“Are you okay?” Jack said.
“What? Yeah.”
“You’ve been having another nightmare. You said something about a door.”
“I don’t remember.” I did—only too clearly.
“You said ‘don’t open that door’.”
“It must have been the door to Mr Hosey’s house. I dreamt that we had to go over there to see his trainset. Oh, wait, that’s not a dream; it’s real. Some idiot agreed that we would.”
“You’re never going to let me forget about that, are you?”
“Nope. I never am. Unless of course, you can think of some way to make it up to me.”
“Hmmm. I might have a few ideas.” He pulled me into his arms.
Chapter 18
For reasons that are none of your business, I was a little later than usual setting off for work. As I drove up the high street, I noticed there was scaffolding outside She Sells. The van parked on the pavement, had the name Speedy Signs on the side. My curiosity was piqued, so I found somewhere to park, and then walked back down to Betty’s shop.
Inside, was the woman herself: Betty Longbottom. She didn’t look very pleased with life.
“Morning, Betty.”
“Oh, it’s you.” She scowled.
“What’s wrong? What did I do?”
“You told Norman that I’d stolen his bottle tops.”
“What did you expect me to do? You can’t go around stealing other people’s property.”
“They were only bottle tops.”
“They were Norman’s bottle tops. And from all accounts, some of them were quite valuable. Anyway, I got the impression that he wasn’t going to press charges.”
“Of course he’s not. Norman is still infatuated with me.”
“So, why are you in such a foul mood?”
“Because, although he isn’t going to press charges, he wants to come into the business with me.”
“I suppose that’s only fair. It was partly his money which allowed you to open the shop in the first place.”
“He wants us to sell bottle tops!”
“Oh dear.” I laughed. “Is that why you’re having the sign changed?”
“Yes. The shop is now going to be called ‘Sea Shells and Bottle Tops’.”
“It has a certain ring to it.”
“Do you know how long it took me to come up with the name: She Sells? A long time, that’s how long. It was the
perfect name, and now I’ve had to change it. I hope you’re satisfied.”
The woman was unbelievable. She’d stolen from Norman, and yet he’d forgiven her, and still she wasn’t happy.
Sheesh! Some people!
***
“I’m going to kill that man.” My mother appeared, unannounced, in the office. Winky hissed at her before disappearing under the sofa.
“Which man would that be?” I had a sneaking suspicion that I already knew the answer to that question, but I thought I’d tease her. “Alberto?”
“No! Not Alberto. I’m talking about that father of yours.”
“What’s he done now?”
“He did it on purpose.”
My mother was nothing if not cryptic.
“What did he do?”
“He’s only gone and bought a house on the same street as me and Alberto.”
“Oh? Maybe he didn’t realise you lived there?”
“Don’t try to stick up for him, Jill. He knew perfectly well that we lived there.”
“Have you spoken to him about it?”
“Speak to him? I don’t ever intend to speak to that man again! That’s why I’m here. I thought you could have a word with him.”
“Me? I don’t think I should interfere.”
“Come on, Jill. He’ll listen to you. He said he wanted to make it up to you for not being there when you were growing up.”
“Yes, but this would be taking advantage.”
“So?”
“Okay, I’ll have a word with him, but I can’t promise anything.”
“Do your best because I won’t be responsible for my actions if he and his bit of skirt move in.”
And with that, she took her leave.
There was a time when I didn’t have to worry about ghosts or talking cats. Little had I realised back then, just how fortunate I’d been.
The door to my office flew open, and in walked two of the scariest objects I’d ever seen. Leading the way was a giant ball of green wool with skinny, red legs. Following behind it, was a giant knitting needle.
“What do you think, Jill?” the ball of wool said.
Before I could say anything, the knitting needle jumped in, “These costumes are great, aren’t they?”