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Wednesday night was the last night of the Summer Festival. This would be my favourite day since this was the dance. The entire square looked like a fairy tale with lights in trees as well as across the square itself, from shop to shop. There were no chairs, just a lot of blankets and cushions on the ground so you could sit or even lie down.
There was a band performing, and the music would be gentle. The kind of music where you would gladly dance in someone’s arms all night.
Christina and I were getting ready at the flat. She had done my makeup and was now doing up my red dress. “And then Poppy tackled Rachel straight off the podium like she was in an action film.”
“I know. She does that sometimes. At least both Rachel and Sophia learned that you don’t mess with the Castlefield villagers.”
“You’ve got that right.” Her smile vanished and she looked down. “But poor Eddie. He was really upset.”
“I know. I think it helped when we had that movie marathon here. He seemed a bit more like himself. But still, it will probably take him a while to get over it. You don’t find out every day that the girl you fancy drugged you so her mother could kill her father.”
“What about you?” She brushed the hairs out of my face to reveal the stitches I had needed.
“I might require a few therapy sessions, but I’m just happy that it all worked out in the end. Thanks for coming to my rescue.” I hugged her.
“Anytime,” she said. “And listen, there’s something else I have to say.”
“What?”
“You know how Alistair’s been fussing over you these past few days?”
I shook my head as I went through the mental list. “He’s brought two fruit baskets, a teddy bear, chocolate, and a foot massager.”
“Yes, but he did that because he loves you. And I’ll admit that it was weird when I realised he had a thing for you, but it’s okay now. I want you both to be happy. Maybe I want you to be happy a bit more than I want him to be happy, but still.” She laughed. “You have my blessing. Go for it.”
I blinked away tears.
“Aww, no don’t cry. It’s fine. No more crying. Let’s be happy.” She tapped my nose. “Come on, we’ve got empty dance cards that need to be filled.”
The square was like a fairy tale, and Christina’s eyes almost fell out as she admired it. “This is amazing. I want the village square to always look like this.”
“Me too.”
The entire square was full, but the space in front of the band was kept empty for people to dance. After we had found Eddie and Nancy, Harold tapped the microphone.
“We may have had a few difficult days in Castlefield, but we are a family, and we can get through anything. Especially when Maggie Matthews is our champion sleuth.” The crowd applauded and Alistair, who was closer to the band, whistled.
I felt my cheeks get red. This time it was nice to be praised, though. But that was probably because I’d come close to dying. Again.
“I hereby declare the Summer Festival dance of 2020 opened,” Harold shouted, and while the crowd erupted in applause, the band started playing. Couples immediately took to the dance floor.
I danced with every single woman of the book club, with Beth, Emblyn, Eddie, Gus, Harold, and eventually with Alistair.
He took me in his arms like he had that time at his place, and it felt just as wonderful. Nancy was dancing with Gus, who winked at me as they whirled past us. Though this was a slow song, their dance was not.
“How are you feeling?”
“You’ve already asked me that three times today. In fact, I had to silence my phone.”
He laughed. “Well, sorry for caring.”
“No, that part is definitely fine. It’s just that you don’t have to worry. I really am fine.”
“Your whole neck and shoulder were covered in blood. It really was awful to see. I don’t ever want to see any blood on you ever again,” he said in a stern tone.
“Really? And just when I heard it is becoming a trend this autumn. I don’t want to fall behind on the latest fashion trends. I have a reputation to uphold.”
“That’s not funny.”
“I beg to differ. Besides, I hadn’t planned on it. I was just minding my own business down there.”
“I know it’s not your fault. It’s mine. I shouldn’t have asked you to help me investigate. It was stupid. I just—I just wanted to be—I mean, I like spending time with you.”
“It’s alright. If you hadn’t asked me, I still wouldn’t have left it alone. We both know that. So please don’t feel guilty. Let’s be happy.” I smiled at Christina’s words, then thought about the other thing I had to tell Alistair.
“Listen, I really like you,” I said.
“I like you too.”
“But I really think we should remain friends. I mean, no more dancing or anything else that could be considered romantic.”
He pressed his lips together. “Why?”
“Because Christina gave me her blessing, and it means that she’s an amazing friend. I don’t want to dive right into something with her ex. Especially when that ex is still figuring some stuff out.”
Detective Black popped up next to us. “So? That’s part of life. Don’t waste any more time and jump his bones.”
I did my best to ignore him.
Alistair smiled. “Yes, well, I wasn’t planning on diving into anything. I just—like I said, I like being with you. So, friends, no romance.”
“Yes, deal.”
“May I cut in?” a familiar voice said.
We both looked up at Miles.
“Sure, why not?” I said.
Alistair kissed my hand as he maintained eye contact. A final moment of romance, and I savoured it. Then he left and Miles took his place.
“Did you make any romantic plans?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“No, quite the opposite.”
Miles made a face.
“What?”
“Nothing. It’s just too bad. You’d make a cute couple.”
“Thanks, but that’s hardly a reason to date someone. We make a cute couple, for that matter.”
He grinned. “Do you think so, darling? Well, I’m game if you are.”
“In your dreams.”
“Sure, there too.”
I laughed.
“Have you thought of your reward yet? You still deserve one from helping me out.”
“Oh, yes. I’ve thought about it,” I said.
“And?”
“I want three get-out-of-jail-free cards. Not related to your lawyer skills necessarily, but I want to be able to call on you three times with you dropping everything and helping me with whatever I need. One of those occasions will probably be you cooking for me when I don’t feel like doing it myself.”
“As you wish,” he said with a smile. “But knowing your propensity for trouble, you might want to save that one as well.”
By the end of the night, my stomach was sore from laughter, my head woozy from the alcohol, and my happiness meter was full. At my request, Harold gave me the number of the guy he wanted to set me up with, and I had at least that to look forward to. And of course, the wrap-up of my latest novel.
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DETECTIVE BLACK LOOKED out of the window and contemplated the past events. He had almost died at the hands of a killer. He had solved his latest case. He had made new friends.
As he looked at the people sitting across from him in the pub, he realised how lucky he was. Because he couldn’t help but sometimes wonder what the bloody point was. Sometimes he would feel lonely in a crowd, feel lost when all was technically right. And then someone came to remind him what really mattered. He had nearly died, but it made him realise who he was and what he cared about. He wasn’t alone. He was strong. And more importantly, he was happy.
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The end.