by Adele Abbott
I was already beginning to have second thoughts. What had I been thinking? A conference of clowns? That would make my ‘corridors’ nightmare seem like a sweet dream. I had to crack this case ahead of the conference. Under no circumstances did I want to put myself through that ordeal.
To take my mind off it, and because I was feeling a little peckish, I magicked myself over to Cuppy C. Since the twins had got rid of the ice maidens, and following on from the publicity which the Adrenaline Boys had generated, customer numbers were almost back to their previous level.
Amber and Pearl were behind the tea room counter.
“Hey, girls. Are you two scared of clowns?” I was studying the muffins. I fancied a change from blueberry, but couldn’t quite decide between strawberry and Black Forest. Such were the crucial decisions I was called upon to make every day.
“Clowns?” Amber looked puzzled. “Why would anybody be scared of clowns? They’re funny.”
“Yeah.” Pearl nodded. “They’re my favourite part of the circus. Why do you ask?”
“I’ve just taken on a new case for an organisation of clowns.”
“You’re not scared of them, are you, Jill?” Amber said.
“Me? No, of course not. There’s nothing to be scared of. At all. Not even a little bit.”
“Have you made your mind up?” Pearl tapped the counter.
“About the clown case?”
“No. About which muffin you’d like.”
“I think I’ll go for the Black Forest.”
“We’ll soon have a whole new range of cakes for you to choose from,” Amber said. “We’re going to be buying from a new supplier. Their cakes are totally different to anything that’s gone before. They call it ‘Baking Reimagined’.”
Oh dear! “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It’s brand spanking new. We’ll be the first tea room in Candlefield to have them.”
I felt like I’d been down this road so many times before. Why was it that I was the only one who could see the juggernaut heading straight for us?
“You’ve had Mr Snake around here again, peddling his oil, haven’t you?”
“I know we’ve made a few mistakes in the past,” Pearl conceded. “But this time, it’s different.”
“It always is. What exactly does Baking Reimagined mean?”
“Look at this.” Amber handed me a leaflet: ‘Baking Reimagined by Emperor Baking Enterprises’. “You’ll be able to see for yourself. We’ll be getting the first delivery in a few days. We’ll be having a massive launch party to celebrate.”
Sometimes it felt like all I ever did was pour cold water on the twins’ ideas, so I decided to bite my tongue. Maybe this time everything would go according to plan.
What? I can dream, can’t I?
“When do you give your talk at CASS?” Amber handed me the Black Forest muffin.
“At the end of the week. I’m beginning to wish I’d never agreed to do it.”
“I’d hate to have to give a speech,” Pearl said.
“It’s not the speech I’m worried about. It’s travelling on the airship that terrifies me. And then there are the dragons.”
“Talking of dragons,” Amber passed me the coffee. “I overheard Grandma saying something about dragons the other day.”
“You were lucky she didn’t turn you into a donkey,” Pearl said. “If she’d known you were eavesdropping, you’d have been in real trouble.”
“Why would Grandma be talking about dragons?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” Amber shrugged. “I only got to hear part of the conversation.”
It was probably just as well that I didn’t know. “How are you getting along with your new tenants?” I gestured upstairs.
The twins both frowned.
“Don’t tell me that you’re having problems with them already?”
“The guys are nice enough,” Pearl said. “And at least we don’t have to worry that they’ll try to sabotage our business.”
“So what’s the problem, then?”
“You know how they’re called the Adrenaline Boys?” Amber said. “Well, when they come back from one of their performances, they kind of live up to their name.”
I must have looked puzzled because Amber continued. “The smell of sweaty socks is overpowering.”
“So I was right.” I laughed. “They really are the Sweaty Boys. What are you going to do about it?”
“Amber is going to have a word with them,” Pearl said.
“No, I’m not. You are.”
“Why should I do it?”
“You were the one who told them they could have the rooms.”
“I did not. You did.”
Oh boy! Time to change the subject, methinks.
“Has Daze gone away with Haze?”
“Yeah.” Amber was still glaring at Pearl. “They left a couple of days ago.”
“Can you believe it?” Pearl shook her head. “Daze has left Blaze in charge. What a nightmare!”
“I’m sure he’ll be okay. Anyway, I think I’ll go and see Aunt Lucy while I’m over here.”
“I don’t imagine you’ve heard about Lester, have you?” Amber said.
“Heard what?”
“He’s been suspended from his job.”
“Why? What happened?”
“No idea. They won’t tell us anything, as usual.”
“I’d better go over there to find out what’s happening.”
Aunt Lucy and Lester were in the kitchen. Even if the twins hadn’t forewarned me, I would have known that something was wrong because you could cut the atmosphere with a knife.
“Cup of tea, Jill?” Aunt Lucy offered.
“No, thanks. I’ve just been in Cuppy C. The twins said something about Lester being suspended.”
At this, Lester looked up for the first time.
“That’s right.” He sighed. “It happened a few days ago.”
“Why?”
“I was processing the paperwork for a client when I inadvertently checked the wrong box. I should have ticked the box which read ‘via Ghost Town’, but instead I ticked the one which read ‘bypass Ghost Town’.”
“Oh dear. Does that mean the client will be sent straight to—?”
“Exactly. It was a stupid mistake. That sort of thing is Grim Reaper 101. I can only put it down to being distracted.”
He glanced at Aunt Lucy, and I saw her give an almost imperceptible shake of the head. And then the penny dropped.
“Oh no. Did this happen when I saw you in the street close to my office?”
He hesitated.
“Lester!” I pressed. “Tell me. Was it seeing me there that put you off?”
“I told you not to say anything, Lester,” Aunt Lucy said.
“I feel terrible.” I joined him at the table. “Can’t I just tell them that it was my fault?”
“It wasn’t your fault, Jill,” he said. “I shouldn’t have allowed myself to be so easily distracted.”
“So what’s going to happen?”
“I have to wait to hear back from them as to what course of action they’ll take.”
“But you’ll still be able to carry on with the training?”
“I don’t know. I just don’t know.”
Chapter 3
I said my goodbyes to Aunt Lucy and Lester, and then magicked myself back to Washbridge. I still felt dreadful that I was the one responsible for Lester being suspended from his job. I had to think of a way to put things right, and it occurred to me that maybe Mad could help. I gave her a call.
“I’ve got a bit of a problem, Mad. I’m hoping you might be able to help.”
“I will if I can. Anything to take my mind off Mum’s stupid wedding.”
“You remember Lester, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
“He’s recently started training in a new job. He signed up to become a grim reaper.”
“Really? I know my job is a little strange,
but I could never do that. What does your Aunt Lucy think about it?”
“She hates the whole thing, but that’s not the problem. He’s been undergoing training with a more experienced operative, and the other day I happened to stumble across him while he was attending to one of his—err—clients. I must’ve distracted him because he filled in the form incorrectly. He should have ticked the box which said ‘via Ghost Town’, but instead ticked the box which said ‘bypass Ghost Town’.”
“Oh dear. That’s not good.”
“I know. That’s why they’ve suspended him. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t been there, he probably wouldn’t have made the error. I have to put this right, but I don’t know how. I thought I’d talk to you to see if you had any bright ideas.”
“How long ago was this?”
“Only a few days.”
“There have been some delays with all the transport systems recently, so maybe there’s still time to do something about it. Do you have his—err—client’s details?”
“No, but I know when and where the incident took place.”
“That should be enough. Send me that information by text, and I’ll see what I can do, but I wouldn’t want you to get your hopes up.”
***
Before going home, I decided to call into the office, just in case there were any messages waiting for me. As soon as I walked in, Jules began to speak, but not to me. She was talking to her computer screen. Perhaps she was on Skype? I didn’t want to interrupt, so I tiptoed over to my office.
Winky was standing on the sofa, looking at the mirror on the wall. He appeared to be talking to his own reflection. What was the matter with everyone in this office? I was beginning to think I was the only sane person there.
“Winky? What are you doing?”
“What does it look like?”
“It looks like you’re talking to your reflection.”
“I’m practising my hypnosis.”
“Why would you try to hypnotise yourself?”
“I don’t have any other subjects, unless you’re volunteering?”
“No chance.”
“Why not? If you’re so sure it doesn’t work, then what are you afraid of?”
“I’m not afraid of anything. I’ve just got better things to do with my time than to indulge your weird obsessions.”
“In that case, you’d better allow me to carry on with my practice.”
“Knock yourself out.”
I tried to ignore Winky, and focus on checking the day’s post which mostly comprised of bills, two of which were red.
“Jill, do you have a minute?” Jules had popped her head around the door.
“Sure, take a seat.”
She looked rather guilty, and it took her a few minutes to gather the courage to speak.
“You’re probably wondering what I was doing when you came in just now.”
“I was a little surprised to see you talking to your computer.”
“I won’t let it interfere with my work.”
“Won’t let what interfere with your work?”
“I’ve started my own YouTube channel. It’s called ‘Young Knits’. There are lots of channels for older, more experienced knitters, but very few for young people. I thought it might be fun to show others what I’ve learned.”
“How long have you been doing it?”
“I started a few days ago; I’ve only got three subscribers up to now. But like I said, I won’t let it interfere with my work here. I’ll only make a recording when I have no other work to do.”
“What about if we get a visitor while you’re recording your piece?”
“I won’t be doing it very often, probably only once a week. If a visitor arrives while I’m recording, I’ll obviously stop. So, is it okay?”
“I suppose so.”
“You can subscribe to my channel if you like, Jill.”
“Yeah, maybe I will.” The same day as I join the clown appreciation society.
Jules looked over at Winky who was walking around and around in circles. “What’s the matter with the cat?”
“He’s all right. You’d better get back to work.”
“Okay. Thanks again for being so understanding.”
I waited until she was out of the office, and then walked over to the crazy cat.
“Winky! Winky!”
He didn’t react at all. He just continued to walk around and around in circles.
“Winky?” I snapped my fingers next to his ear. “Winky, wake up!”
He stopped walking and shook his head. “Did it work?”
“Did what work?”
“I hypnotised myself.”
“I’m not falling for that. You were just putting it on.”
“No, I wasn’t. So it did work then?”
“I’m not playing your silly games, Winky.”
What kind of fool did he take me for?
I decided to call it a day, and threw the bills into the bottom drawer.
“Just because you can’t see them.” Winky jumped onto my desk. “Doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay them.”
“Let me worry about my finances, would you?”
“If you get thrown out on the street, so do I. Why don’t you let me help?”
“I don’t need financial advice from a cat, and particularly not from one who believes in hypnosis.”
“Look into my eyes.” He began to move his paw slowly from side-to-side in front of my face. “Look deeply into my eyes.”
“Don’t be ridiculous!”
“You are becoming drowsy. Your eyelids are heavy.” His voice seemed to echo around my head.
I didn’t have any more time for his nonsense. “Get off my desk!”
***
As soon as I got out of the car, Mrs Rollo called me over. Even before I got to her door, I could see that she was upset about something.
“Whatever’s the matter, Mrs Rollo?”
“Come in, would you, Jill?” She was close to tears.
I followed her into the kitchen where it took her a few minutes to compose herself.
“I don’t know what to do, Jill. I’ve been so stupid.”
“Sit down, Mrs Rollo. Let me make us both a cup of tea, and then you can tell me all about it.”
“Okay. That’s very kind of you. There are some buns in the cupboard if you’d like one?”
“No, it’s okay. I don’t want to spoil my dinner.”
I made tea for the two of us, and then joined her at the kitchen table.
“What’s happened, Mrs Rollo?”
“I had a man come to the door a few days ago. He asked if I enjoyed going away on holidays. I said I did. He said that his company was offering life-time timeshare holidays in Spain. I told him that I could never afford anything like that, but he said these were much less expensive than usual. Just a one-off one-thousand-pound fee. He showed me the brochure. The accommodation was magnificent, located almost on the beach. I thought it would be ideal for me, Sheila and her husband, and of course, Justin.”
“Did you sign anything?”
“It’s worse than that. I gave him cash.”
“How much?”
“The full amount. He said that he would come back again the next morning with all the paperwork, but he never showed up.”
“Maybe he’s ill? Or got his appointments mixed up?”
“That’s what I thought at first, but when I tried to ring the number on his card, it was unrecognised. I’m not even sure the company exists. That money is from my savings.” She dabbed her eyes with a tissue. “Whatever shall I do?”
“Do you still have his card?”
“Yes.” She stood up, walked over to the drawer, and took out a leaflet and a business card. “This is what he left me.”
“What did he look like?”
“I’d say he was in his late fifties, and was practically bald. And he smelled of meat.”
“Meat?”
“I think it was meat.
Maybe it was just his aftershave. He was very charming though.”
They always are.
“Try not to worry about it, Mrs Rollo. I’ll do some digging around, and see what I can find out.”
“Do you think I’ll get my money back?”
“I can’t promise, but I’ll certainly do my best for you.”
By the time I left Mrs Rollo’s house, I was seething with anger. I hated people who preyed on the vulnerable in that way. If I got my hands on him, he’d be sorry.
***
I’d no sooner got into the house than there was a knock at the door. Perhaps Mrs Rollo had remembered more information about the conman.
“I have another letter for you.” It was the same Candlefield Special Delivery man who had brought the invitation from CASS.
“Oh? Hello again. It’s Laurence, isn’t it?”
“Please call me Puddles. Everyone does.” He handed me an envelope which bore the CASS watermark.
“Thanks, Puddles. Isn’t it rather late to be delivering letters?”
“Not at all. CSD delivers at all times of the day and night. Anyway, I’d better run. This is my last delivery of the day, and Mrs Puddles will have my dinner ready in a few minutes.”
Back inside, I ripped open the envelope. Inside was a return ticket for the journey on the CASS airship. My nerves began to jangle again. I wasn’t very good on an aeroplane, so I dreaded to think how I’d feel on board an airship.
Jack’s car pulled onto the drive, so I quickly slipped the envelope and ticket into my bag. I couldn’t imagine how I would ever explain that away.
“Hello, beautiful.” Jack greeted me with a smile.
“Don’t think you can butter me up like that.”
“What did I do this time?” He hung up his coat.
“You told Kathy that we’d have the kids tomorrow night.”
“So? You love those kids.”
“I love them in small doses, and at a distance. What possessed you to suggest we have them over here?”
“I thought it would be an adventure for them.”
“Can you imagine what kind of mess they’re going to make?”
“Mrs Mopp is due to come the following day, so it doesn’t matter. And besides, it will be nice to have the kids here. It’ll be fun.”