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Christina had kicked off her heels and pulled up her legs while observing my living room. The fact that Alistair’s girlfriend was now on my sofa didn’t unsettle me as much as it probably should. It helped that I had met her before I knew who she was dating. And I liked her. Which sucked, because if I had any sense of self-preservation, I would cut ties with both of them. That was difficult in a village like this.
My former English teacher Mrs Wilks got divorced from her husband, and he had a new girlfriend in two weeks. They moved in next door—it was the only affordable house for them at that time—and it started a lovely passive-aggressive war where Mrs Wilks placed trails of sugar cubes to her ex’s house, put rubber snakes in the back garden, or borrowed the newspaper and then returned it with the coupons cut out. Once she even put wet cement in the boot of his car. Not sure how she did it, but she became a legend.
I made us both tea and then returned to the living room.
“Do you live alone?” Christina asked.
“I do, yes. Though I’m considering getting a bunny.”
“Bunnies are cute,” she said with enthusiasm. “You should do that. You can teach them tricks you know, just like with dogs.”
“You can?” I asked.
“Yes, you should look it up. It’s very cute.” She shifted in her seat and took a gentle sip of the tea.
“So you officially moved in with Alistair, huh?” I tried to keep the pain out of my voice, not sure if I was succeeding.
“I figured I had to give it a real shot. You know, things weren’t going that well with me and Alistair. I think we were on the brink of splitting up. He had a difficult time in London. He doesn’t like talking about it, and he’s been pushing me away. He had to fight a murder suspect that he was about to arrest. His partner got seriously injured and nearly died.”
“What?”
“Yeah, Alistair ended up shoving the suspect, and he fell through a rotten banister and died.” She made a face. “It was an awful ordeal, and it bothered him a lot.”
“I can imagine,” I said softly. “Is his partner okay?”
“He is now, yes, but it was touch and go. “He didn’t want to stay after that. I think he was fed up with the city, and he wanted to go back to somewhere more innocent. Ironic that his first case is a murder case, but that just goes to show that nowhere is safe. Still, he seems happy here. Or at least, not unhappy. And at first I was upset with him for wanting to move back here. I felt like he was running away, but you made me realise I should give it—and him—a fair chance. He’s worth fighting for, even if he has been pushing me away lately. I can’t remember the last time we did anything fun.” The corners of her mouth turned downwards.
“I’m sure you’ve done the right thing,” I said, but my thoughts were with Alistair. I had no idea that this was the reason he’d come home. It was probably also the reason he had kept to himself ever since he got here. He hadn’t even told anyone about Christina. He was also so serious all the time. Except when we were running for Pandora. He had a nice smile. His troubles still didn’t give him an excuse to treat me the way he did, but I was beginning to understand it more.
I also realised that I was that connection to a simpler time, a safer time. Perhaps his attraction to me had been because of his desire to return to something safe and innocent. After all, we’d both changed, and there was so little we knew about each other. If we did get to know each other, maybe we’d find out that we made good friends and nothing more. Maybe he’d realise how important Christina is.
“He probably associated you with his time in London, and if it ended that traumatically for him, then that could be the reason he’s pushing you away. By being here you show that you care about him and that you are willing to adapt your lifestyle with him. It’s actually really romantic. Give him some time to make peace with the past and see you for who you are,” I said.
She blinked at me. “Wow, you’re wise.”
“I have my moments.”
“You know, the people in this village regard you with a lot of respect, not just because you write,” she said.
I sat up straighter. “Really?”
She smiled. “Yeah, it’s very sweet. It’s like you are all a family.”
“That doesn’t mean that you can’t be a part of that, or Alistair. In fact, it sounds like he needs that family now more than ever.”
“I think so too.” She squeezed my arm. “You’re very sweet.”
“So are you.”
She laughed. “Well, enough about my love life. Are you seeing anyone?”
“No. Well, I did have a date tonight.”
“Tell me all about it.”
And I did, but I did leave out the part about breaking into Patricia’s home. She would tell Alistair, and he would not take it well. The parts about the kissing I definitely did not skip, and Christina was as excited about it as I was.
“But what are you going to do when he goes back home?”
“I don’t know. That’s the one thing we haven’t discussed yet. I doubt he’ll stay here, and I can’t go with him because my home is here. Just the thought of leaving this village is—just no.”
She shrugged. “Long distance can work if you both want it to, but yeah, at some point you’ll have to live somewhere together. Anyway, try not to worry about that. He’s still here, and you should focus on having fun with him.”
“Good advice.” Hard to follow. My mind liked to worry, especially at three AM.
“The only thing that I need to do now is find a job. I quit working as a beautician in London.”
“You were a beautician? Cool.”
Christina blushed. “I liked it, but I wonder what I could find here.”
I bit my lip. Don’t do it. Don’t do it. “You can work at my bookshop.”
You did it.
“Really? You’re looking for people?”
“Susan and Eddie work for me, Brian sometimes steps in as well. But now Susan is mourning Victor, and I could use the help. You don’t have to, of course.”
“No,” she said quickly. “I’d love that. I promise I won’t let you down, boss.” She giggled and then hugged me, nearly spilling my tea. “I’m so glad I met you.”
I patted her on the back. “Me too.”
––––––––
THAT NEXT MORNING I woke up with a pain in my neck. I had fallen asleep at my desk, looking at the blueprints of the hotel and going over all the things I had uncovered in the last day. I had written all the clues on post-its and tried to see the big picture, but at some point I’d fallen asleep. The pain in my neck was enough to make me grumpy, but in addition to that, I also felt like I was letting my friends down. I had promised to solve the murder, but so far I had only managed to commit crimes myself.
After a warm shower and a quick breakfast, I went downstairs so I could sulk in public. Hopefully Eddie and Bailey could provide distractions. Today would also be the first day that Christina started work. I still wasn’t sure if I was happy with that, especially if it meant that Alistair might frequent the shop. But I needed help, and she needed a job.
I got downstairs just in time for Eddie to open up the doors. Christina had already arrived and was waiting patiently outside. Brian was at the counter and Bailey had pranced my way to greet me. I scratched him behind his ears and then approached the counter.
“Hi,” Christina said warmly, and she hugged Eddie, who immediately froze.
“What’s happening?”
“I’m so excited to get started. Hi, Maggie.” She hugged me as well.
“Good, welcome aboard. You can put your handbag and jacket behind that curtain. That’s Eddie and this is Brian. Guys, this is Christina. She really needs a job and without Susan I figured we could use her help.”
She had taken off her jacket and approached Brian. “Hi, Brian. I’m so glad to be here. This is going to be fun.” She hugged him as well and then disappeared behind the curtain to dump her stuff.
Brian took out his inhaler.
“What are you thinking?” Eddie hissed. “That’s Alistair’s girlfriend.”
“I know that, but she’s very nice, and she needs a job.”
“What about what you need?” he asked.
“I’m fine. You’re fine. Brian, are you fine?”
Brian was about to open his mouth.
“See, he’s fine too.”
Christina emerged from behind the curtain. “What’s on the other side of that other curtain?”
“My aunt’s shop. She’s indisposed right now,” I said. The police still hadn’t called me to pick her up, and if they didn’t phone soon, I’d go over there and demand that she be released. I would bring Bailey and get him to bark until they all went mad and had no choice but to let her go.
“Oh, right. Alistair told me about that.” She made a face. “Sorry about that. I’m sure it will sort itself out. Alistair felt really bad about it, I could tell.”
Eddie narrowed his eyes at me as he observed my reaction carefully.
“Well, then we’re even,” I said and tried to chuckle, but it came out as a cough.
“Hi,” a familiar voice said.
“Susan.” Okay, this was awkward. Just when I’d hired a replacement for Susan, she showed up.
“I’m just here to say hi. I’m definitely not ready to go back to work.” She smiled weakly.
I grabbed her arm and moved over to the armchairs in the back. “Are you okay?”
She rubbed her arm. “I guess. A little better than before. How are you getting on with the case? Have you found out who hurt Victor yet?”
I bit my lip. “I’m sorry, it’s going a lot slower than I thought.”
“Don’t feel bad. It was unfair to ask you to investigate. The police are doing their best. I just want you to know that it’s okay.” She touched my arm. “I appreciate your efforts. You’re a good friend.”
“No, I promise I’m not giving—”
At that moment my phone buzzed in my pocket. I nearly jumped. It was Alistair. “Excuse me. I’ll see you once you feel better. If you need anything, let me know.”
“I will. Bye,” she said.
I went back through the back door at the bottom of the stairs. I didn’t want anyone to eavesdrop. “Hello, Maggie speaking.”
“This is Alistair.” His voice sounded delectable, even over the phone.
“Hello, Detective Sergeant.” My tone was cold. “May I pick up my aunt yet?”
A pause. “Yes, that’s why I called.”
“Good, I’ll be right over.”
“Maggie, listen—” he started.
I hung up. It should have felt good, but it didn’t. Nothing about this felt good.
––––––––
THE POLICE STATION was quiet on this Tuesday morning, and I was both excited because I would see Nancy and terrified because I’d see Alistair. Terrified might be an exaggeration, but I was certainly dreading it. I had been unlucky in love so far, and I had thought that Alistair was different, probably because he was technically the first guy I was ever in love with. When I thought he might feel the same, I had hope. And then that hope got crushed like a can of coke under a steamroller.
The waiting area had posters with tips on how to prevent car thefts and break-ins. It was too late for me. Had I been silly in trying to solve an actual murder? It had only gotten me in trouble, and in my eagerness to please people I had overlooked the fact that I was probably deluding myself.
Nancy showed up as if she hadn’t just spent a night in a cell. Her hair was perfectly in place, her makeup flawless. How had she arranged that?
“Are you okay?” she asked me and kissed my temple.
“I should be asking you that.”
“I’m fine. They were actually very nice to me, and the tea they have here is lovely.”
“You’re not still upset, then?” I asked.
“I was at first, but now I’m actually okay. Alistair told me he thought it unlikely that I was the killer, but considering the circumstances, he had to ask. His boss was friends with Victor and Patricia, so I guess that explains the eagerness to have this case closed.” She rolled her eyes. “There is no justice in this world.”
I had no idea that the DCI was friends with the Woodsbury’s. That meant that even if Patricia had killed her husband, she might get away with it. Although I wasn’t sure how far Alistair’s boss would go to protect her. She could probably also afford good lawyers. I felt even more dejected now.
“Alright, let’s go back. I can’t leave my shop closed any longer. People need me, you know?”
I wondered if she knew I had been questioned too, but decided not to mention it as long as she didn’t ask. She would probably find a way to assault someone in here with a mop or something.
Alistair was nowhere to be seen as I followed Nancy outside. It was a nice and warm day, but the rays of sunshine didn’t reach me. I couldn’t stand the thought of the killer getting away with Victor’s murder. The police clearly weren’t getting close if they had their sights on me and Nancy.
“Anything I missed?” Nancy asked. “Is Bailey still alive?”
“Eddie has been spoiling him, don’t worry.” I paused. “I’ve hired Christina, a new friend, to work in the bookshop.”
“Oh, really? Have I heard that name before?”
“No. She’s new. She’s just moved in with her boyfriend. Alistair.”
She looked at me sharply. “I didn’t know he had a girlfriend. Did you know?”
“Only since yesterday. Anyway, she’s really nice.” I managed to keep my voice steady.
“Too bad. He’s handsome, smart, and he likes mysteries. You two would have been a good fit. You sure you’ve never liked him?”
“Nope. Not even a little bit.” If she detected any hint of the truth, she’d attack him with a rake. I could trust Eleanor to keep it a secret. The first time I had tried a cigarette was in front of her. She didn’t want me to do it anywhere else and was very honest about the drawbacks, even if I still wanted to try it after that. It was disgusting, and I had never picked one up again, but I knew that Eleanor would always have my back.
When we neared the street to our shops, I turned the other way, dragging Nancy along with me.
“Why are we going here?” Nancy asked. “Please tell me you didn’t make a fuss. It was only one night. I’ve spent more time teasing my hair than I did in that bloody cell.”
“Regardless, just let us do this for you.” I tugged her along to the vicarage and went around the back. Eleanor and Harold’s garden was luscious and green with various colourful plants. They had a small pond with fish, and on the patio they had a lovely large table around which the Castlefield Book Club had gathered, apart from Olivia, who needed to help out Stanley at the bakery. She had clearly provided a cake, though, and it sat proudly on the table, being eyed by a water-mouthing Poppy.
“There she is,” Phoebe exclaimed and all the women rushed over, showering Nancy in hugs and soothing comments.
“Alright, alright. You foolish girls,” she muttered. “I’m perfectly fine. It was the police who had the most bother. One stare from me, and they waited on me hand and foot.” She cackled.
“We hadn’t expected anything else,” said Ava with a laugh.
“Now, tell me, what gossip have I missed?”
The women all moved over to the table and sat down, chattering like energetic squirrels. The most exciting topic was, of course, Alistair’s girlfriend. Eleanor eyed me and then tried to steer the conversation into a different direction, but to no avail. The women were too excited and once they got excited, not even a meteorite could stop them.
It wasn’t long before I couldn’t take it anymore. I had given them as much information as I could about Christina and still they found new things to discuss. Eleanor’s sympathetic glances only made matters worse. I pretended to get a message from Eddie about needing me at the shop and then bolted. Though I didn’t exactly relish the thought of returning, I also didn’t really know what else to do. I wanted to solve the murder.
And the key to solving the case, I felt, was finding out what advice Victor had needed. He’d had a secret, he had been scared, and it was all linked to his murder.
I needed to know if Mr Field had seen or heard anything when he was spying on his wife, which meant that I had to set up a meeting with him.
“I don’t fancy the idea of you meeting that spy-happy bastard,” Detective Black said.
“Neither do I, which is why I’ll ask Nick to go with me.”
“Good thinking. And you’ll have me, of course.”
Pandora crossed the street with fluttering wings, heading straight for a middle-aged man who started swinging his grocery bag at the chicken. I shivered at the sight of her. The man climbed on top of the bonnet of a car.
I decided to ring Mr Field while I still felt motivated. My heart beat fast as his phone rang. There was a beep, and an automated voice told me to leave a message.
“Hi, Mr Field, this is Maggie. I need to talk to you, it’s important. I’ll stop by at seven tonight.” Then I hung up and exhaled. I sent a message to Nick to meet me at closing time. It wouldn’t hurt to have dinner with him first. In fact, I was looking forward to that. Not every man would have broken into a house on a first date.
“Unless he was a bad guy,” Detective Black said.
My stomach felt heavy. “Don’t say that.”
“Just looking out for you.”
I reached The Wicked Bookworm. Christina had attracted a bunch of younger women whose faces I vaguely recognised. They were asking her for beauty tips and where she bought her clothes. Granted, she looked good, but why had these women never asked me that kind of stuff?
I looked down at my boring jeans and shirt. That’s why.
It was true that I had let myself go a bit. Most of my time was either spent in my office or in my bookshop. I had gone to London for some promotional stuff, but that was the biggest outing I’d had in a long time. It probably wouldn’t kill me to put myself out there. Much.
I stomped towards the back door.
“Hey, Maggie. Back already?” Christina called.
“I’ve been busy, okay? I am still in the prime of my life,” I shouted and then stormed off to my flat.
“Nice,” Detective Black said dryly.
“Shut up.”
I spent a short while reading and figured I’d prepare my talk with Mr Field over dinner with Nick. During lunchtime I decided to make it up to Christina and made sandwiches for us both, then invited her to eat them outside on the bench near my shop. It reminded me of how excited I had been when Alistair gave me his number, but I just had to get over that.
Christina told me stories about her previous work as well as the women she had worked with. She also told me the first time she had caused a wax-related injury, which made me wince in sympathy. “What about you? It must be cool to write.”
I shrugged. “It’s my passion. Books contain my favourite worlds. But I realised today that I also have the tendency to hide in them, and I should probably go out more.”
Christina’s eyes widened. “I could totally help you with that, if you want. I can give you a colourful make-over. You’re very pretty, and you should wear clothes that highlight that.”
Did she just insult and compliment me at the same time?
“Great, great. I’ll think about it,” I grumbled.
She laughed. “This will be so much fun, we could go shopping this weekend.”
That was easy for her to say, she didn’t have a murder to solve. Or to write.
Tuesdays usually weren’t busy, so I spent the rest of the day writing and even got in half a chapter, much to Detective Black’s relief. In that time I had also received two messages from Alistair wanting to talk, but I wasn’t sure how to respond. Christina told me he was going through a difficult time, but that didn’t excuse his behaviour. Still, if I was going to move on, I would need that closure. I messaged back saying I’d speak to him sometime later, not wanting to give him the impression that he was a priority.
Just around closing time I went downstairs to the bookshop to find Nick already waiting. He smiled when his eyes met mine, and I had done my best to put on some nice makeup and a black dress.
“You know you don’t have to enter through the shop, right?” I said and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Yes, but then I would miss the chance to talk with Eddie about ghosts. My ghost-hunting buddies have left already, remember?” He smiled.
Which was probably so he could stay with me. Was he planning on staying much longer? I was afraid to ask.
We walked to the pub and sat in a quiet corner, though I knew people had started talking about us as soon as we walked in. Somewhere in this village someone had already started knitting baby clothes.
We both had the lasagna, and I told him about my aunt Nancy and the book club women. They were a great bunch and if he wanted to know more about me, I had to start there. I also talked a bit about my mum, not going into the details of her mental issues. Nick didn’t seem too perturbed by it, so that was a plus.
“So what exactly is the plan for tonight?” Nick asked. “Am I to be your bodyguard?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
I giggled. “Sure, but I’d have to pay you in hugs.”
“I’d love that,” he said.
“Anyway, the plan is to confront him.” I told Nick about the pictures of his wife and Victor, and that I suspected he knew more about the murder.
Nick made a face. “That is so creepy. And we have to go talk to that guy? I’m glad you asked me to go with you.”
“Me too. I don’t like the idea of talking to him either, but he might be able to get us answers. So we are going to be polite but clear. And if he doesn’t spill any beans, we can always threaten to go to the police and see how he reacts.”
“Do you really think that’s wise?”
“If it was just me, no. But you’re there. And I don’t actually have to threaten him. I can allude to it.”
Nick sighed. “There’s no talking you out of this, is there?”
“No,” I said and took a final bite of my food.