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The rest of the afternoon I worked on my edits because work still had to be done, even if it involved fictional murders and was therefore maybe not as important as a real one.
“I beg to differ,” Detective Black said in an acerbic tone.
Around five o’clock, I went out through the back of my shop and made my way over to the Pembroke. Eddie had mentioned that last night he and Miles stayed up late playing video games and that Miles had crashed on Eddie’s sofa. I was glad that he’d had a nice distraction and didn’t have to sleep in that mansion on his own, but I felt uneasy at the thought of him being there now.
Miles had lived here for about six months, but he still hadn’t fully immersed himself into village life. Which also meant he hadn’t yet fully experienced the charms of this village. I didn’t want him to associate tragedy and murder with the place that was now his home.
Hence, I was a woman on a mission.
I was panting heavily by the time he opened one of the doors. He was dressed more casually in a navy pullover and dark trousers.
“Maggie. What a pleasant surprise,” he said, sounding as if he meant it.
I liked that about him. He was always polite and it didn’t come across as forced. I imagined he could ruthlessly undermine any witness on the stand in that same tone. I’d never said it to him, but I fiercely admired him.
“We’re having dinner at the pub,” I said cheerfully.
“We are?” A line appeared at the corner of his lips as he came close to smirking.
“Oh, yes. Are you ready?”
He patted his trouser pocket. “Yes.” Then he stepped outside and locked the door before holding out his arm.
I took it.
“Why were you panting when I answered the door?” he asked.
“I saw Pandora,” I said. “Again. I think she’s waiting for me to visit you so she can pounce and mur—never mind.” I was here to cheer him up, not to make him think about murder. Great going, Maggie.
“That monstrous being should be introduced to a preheated oven,” Miles said coldly.
I laughed before I could stop myself. “I don’t think anything could stop her. Not even an oven.”
We kept looking over our shoulders, making sure Pandora wasn’t anywhere in the vicinity as we moved across the cobbled streets. Instead of heading to the pub, I took Miles past the church and in a different direction.
“Where are we going? Are we picking up Alistair?” he asked.
“No. First we’re visiting Beth, our oldest resident. She’s lovely and I don’t believe you’ve had the honour of meeting her.”
He glanced at me. “I do know of her. I lived here as a child, remember? Not that I ever recall meeting her. Why are you introducing us now?”
“Why not?” I said, keeping my tone light.
He said nothing, but his expression told me he knew. And he would be right, but the effect of cheering someone up lessens when you tell them you’re cheering them up.
We arrived at the cottage opposite Alistair’s. It was white with windows on either side of the front door. There were carved pumpkins along the short path to her house, and I happened to know that Eleanor had carved them for her. She also took care of her garden in summer and spring.
Normally, I’d bring books with me, but I had given her a fresh batch of literature a couple of days ago. My present today would be Miles and his dazzling smile. I’m sure she would appreciate that.
I picked up the key from under the flower pot that was pushed off to the side to make room for the pumpkins.
“She really shouldn’t keep her key there,” Miles said with a hint of indignation. “She could be robbed or mur—” his voice trailed off. It was the first sign he’d given me that he really didn’t want to be reminded of the murder. He was a criminal attorney and I’m sure he was used to a lot, but it’s different when there’s a corpse in your own garden.
It made me feel relieved to know I was right trying to cheer him up but worried at the same time.
A visit to Beth and a pub meal would definitely help.
I was about to tell him he had nothing to worry about and that this village was safe, but then realised how stupid that would sound. Maybe it was time to make copies of the key for ourselves instead of leaving out the key under the pot.
Still, I liked to think that this village was safe, warm, and cosy. Even if a few murders had taken place.
“You’re right,” I said quietly, then unlocked the door. Before stepping in, I turned to Miles. “Sometimes Beth is a bit forgetful, but just go along with things. She’ll like meeting you regardless of her state, I promise.”
At this, he gave a rather sweet smile. “And I will be glad to meet her.”
“Hello, Beth. It’s Maggie,” I called out as I entered her cottage. It smelt like lemon, which meant someone had come round to clean for her. It would be either Eleanor or Olivia. Maybe even Lily. Since she was the inventor of useless items such as a mop that was also a hoover, she had been known to drop by and help Beth out. Apparently she didn’t let the fact that she only cared about herself stop her from being kind to Beth. She did let it stop her from being kind to anyone else.
Okay. Sometimes she was nice.
“Arr.” It came from the kitchen.
“Oh, oh. Whatever that sound meant, it means she’s probably not her usual self,” I said to Miles.
He followed dutifully behind me, refraining from making any comments. I appreciated that because I felt nervous about what I’d find. So far it was all harmless. She usually believed she was someone else based on a TV programme she’d watched—I had therefore disconnected her TV a long time ago—or a book she’d read—which is why I only gave her cheerful, happy books—or even stories she’s heard.
We entered the kitchen and Beth—hundred and two years old—was standing on her dining room table with an eye patch over her left eye and a broom in her hand.
“Ahoy, mateys!” she said with a grin on her face.
I wasn’t sure if I’d ever seen her grin, but I liked how cocky it made her look.
“Hello, Captain,” I said calmly while panic mode was officially engaged inside my head.
I guess my calm facade wasn’t fool proof, because Miles put his hand on my lower back. “Permission to come aboard?” he asked.
Wow. He really was taking my advice to heart. Most people—actually, everyone except for Eleanor and me—always tried to get Beth to calm down or distract her during one of her episodes. I had expected Miles to want to do the same, but he seemed perfectly amused as he smiled up at her, a twinkle in his eyes.
Beth eyed him up and down. “Permission granted.”
Miles turned one of the chairs sideways and held out his hand for me.
I shot him a grateful look and stepped onto the chair and then the table. Beth handed me the broom. “Keep rowing or those bastards will catch up to us.”
My jaw dropped. Beth would scowl at me even if I so much as said ‘blast.’
Miles dashed into the kitchen and returned with a near empty kitchen roll. He then joined us on the table and used the kitchen roll to pretend to peer into the distance. “They’re catching up to us, Captain. What’s the plan?”
Beth hesitated. “We’ll lower the sails and lead them to those cliffs. I’ve got an idea.”
Miles saluted her while I was still rowing...with the broom. If it was a real pirate ship then why would I need to row? Also, where had she gotten the eye—never mind. Halloween. There were costumes for sale pretty much everywhere in this village.
Our riveting chase lasted about ten minutes, just long enough for us to lead the enemy ship to the cliffs and then do a quick turn. Then Beth calmly removed her eye patch, turned to Miles and said, “Who are you? And why are you on my dining room table?”
“Spider,” I said quickly.
She turned around and her eyes softened. “Maggie, dear. What are you—wait, did you say spider?”
“It’s okay, Miles took care of it.”
He helped us both get down to the floor before I officially introduced them.
“Beth, this is Miles, a good friend of mine.”
“How nice to meet you, young man. You are very handsome,” she said without blushing.
“And you are very beautiful,” he said and kissed the back of her hand.
She giggled like a school girl and her cheeks turned pink.
Nobody stood a chance when Miles turned on the charm.
“Why don’t you sit down and I’ll make us all some tea,” I said.
“And bring out some brownies as well. Eleanor brought them today.” Beth started walking towards the kitchen, clearly changing her mind about me being the hostess.
“No, no. You just relax. I’ll take care of it, really.” I smiled and gently nudged her towards Miles.
He held out his arm and that sealed the deal. They walked off as Beth fired off questions about his job, whether or not he was single, what his hobbies were and other questions.
A few minutes later I walked out with a tray filled with three cups and a teapot as well as three brownies. Much to my dismay, she was telling Miles about the time that I was fourteen and helped Beth in her back garden when I was chased by a dragonfly and ran screaming.
“At the time it was scary,” I grumbled as I poured them all a cup of tea.
“Well,” Miles said, “I’d never thought I’d be running for my life from a chicken so there’s that.”
Beth waved a hand. “Oh, she’s just lonely. That’s all.”
I raised an eyebrow. Yes, I’m sure Pandora just wants to braid our hair and have a tea party with us. Right before she eats us.
“Oh, that reminds me, Maggie. How is that detective?”
Miles chuckled.
I glared at him. “Alistair is doing well.”
“But you’re not dating yet?” She eyed Miles and then looked at me meaningfully.
“No, we’re not and no, it has nothing to do with Miles.”
She sighed and leaned back. “You know, people are too hesitant these days. I’m not saying you should get married straight away like they did in my days, but it would be nice to see people go for what they want.”
“Hmm. I always figured you were someone like that,” Miles said to me. “Seeing as how you so fearlessly go after murderers.”
“I can understand why,” Beth said. “Maggie has had some bad luck in the past. But you shouldn’t let that hold you back, love.”
I swallowed and nodded.
Miles was studying me, but I couldn’t make eye contact. Instead I focussed on my tea.
“And you, Miles? Do you have any plans for the future?” Beth asked.
“No. I was engaged once.”
I nearly spat out my tea and instead it went down the wrong pipe. My eyes started watering as I started coughing.
Miles scooted over and gently patted me on the back. “Don’t think marriage is quite for me,” he continued.
“It’s very good that you know that about yourself. But marriage is no different than dating someone. I mean, these days you move in with each other before getting married and it’s really just the same thing.”
Sure. Don’t mind me dying over here.
“Your face has gone red,” Detective Black said, chuckling.
“Yes, well, I’m not sure if I want someone living with me either,” Miles said.
“Why not?” I said in a grainy voice.
“It’s just easier on my own.” He stopped patting my back, and I managed to compose myself.
“You know, that probably comes from fear as well,” I said. “You may be used to having things your way but a little disruption can be good.”
“Perhaps. Who knows what the future holds?”
Hopefully, the future will hand us the killer on a silver platter.
“Oh, but that wouldn’t be as fun,” Detective Black said.