Charlotte Denver Cozy Mystery Box Set

by Sherri Bryan

  Charlotte shrugged. “I don’t know, but it won’t be a huge amount, I’m sure. I mean, I know Marjorie said she didn’t need the money, but if it’s worth a fortune, I’m sure she wouldn’t have given it away.”

  “Well, perhaps you should check the numbers. Or I’ll check them if you want me to?” Nathan got himself another bottle of beer from the fridge and cracked off the top.

  “Okay,” said Charlotte. “You check the numbers and tell me if there’ll be enough for me to get the awning repaired. If it’s more than £1,000, I’ll be over the moon.”

  Nathan took the ticket and his beer into the living room and opened up Charlotte’s laptop. He logged into the lottery website and tapped in the numbers on the ticket.

  “Well?” Charlotte watched him look repeatedly from the laptop to the ticket and back again.

  “I think you’d better come and take a look at this.” He took a long swig of his beer.

  “Oh, why don’t you just tell me how much it is?” she said impatiently. “I can’t bear the suspense!”

  A slow grin spread across Nathan’s face. “This ticket,” he said, “is one of ten winning tickets.”

  “One of ten?” Charlotte laughed. “Just my luck to share the prize money with nine other people. So how much are the winnings?”

  Nathan continued. “One of ten winning tickets that have won a share of £2,000,000.”

  She looked back at him, a frown creasing her brow. “Huh?”

  “Charlotte … this ticket is worth £200,000.”

  Chapter 14

  Charlotte knocked on the door of the pretty white house with the blue shutters.

  “It’s okay, Dad, I’ll get it.” Ryan called on the other side of the door. “Oh, hi. What are you doing here?”

  “Sorry to call round so early on a Saturday morning, Ryan. D’you have a few minutes? I promise I won’t take up much of your time.”

  “Oh. Yeah, of course. Come in.” Ryan stepped aside to let her pass. “Um, this is my dad. Dad, this is Charlotte Denver. She owns Charlotte’s Plaice on the marina in St. Eves.”

  Sitting in a wheelchair in the living room was a distinguished-looking, straight-backed man with a friendly face. His shock of bright, white hair and vivid, grey eyes made a striking combination with his fresh-faced, pink-cheeked complexion.

  Had it not been for the small oxygen tank on the back of his wheelchair that delivered air to his weakened lungs through a thin plastic tube, Charlotte would never have known he was ill. She hadn’t given a thought to what Ryan’s invalid father would look like, but she suspected that it wouldn’t have been the attractive, healthy-looking man she found herself looking at now.

  She stepped forward to shake his hand. “I’m very happy to meet you, Mr Benson. I hope you don’t mind me calling round unannounced so early on a Saturday morning?”

  “No, no, not at all, my dear. It’s nice to see a pretty young face about the place. All the girls Ryan brings home look like they’ve never seen the light of day. I was relieved to find out it was only because of their makeup.” He winked at Charlotte.

  “Yes, thank you, Dad. I’m sure Charlotte doesn’t want to hear about the girls I bring home.” Ryan blushed, but grinned.

  “So, I expect you’d like me to disappear?” Ryan’s father began to wheel himself out of the living room, but Charlotte called after him.

  “Actually, Mr Benson. I’d like you to stay, if you don’t mind.”

  Ryan and his father looked at each other quizzically. “Please, my dear, call me Victor. And you’d like me to stay, you say?”

  Charlotte nodded. “Yes please.”

  “Well, this sounds serious. You’d better sit down.” He waved her over to the couch and wheeled himself closer to it. “Come on, Charlotte, you can sit down here, next to me and Ryan can sit beside you. That way, I can hear everything that’s going on.”

  When everyone was settled, Charlotte began.

  “Mr Benson…sorry, Victor. Ryan is an amazing young man. The most amazing young man I’ve ever met. I know, too, that he’s a very modest young man. For instance, you probably don’t know that he saved my life a few weeks ago.”

  Victor Benson shook his head and took on a slightly bewildered look.

  “No, I didn’t think he’d have told you.” Charlotte grinned at Ryan, whose face had turned the colour of freshly boiled beetroot.

  “Anyway, if it hadn’t been for Ryan I’m not sure I’d be sitting here now, so I really do owe him the most enormous debt of gratitude.”

  She looked down at her shoes as she felt herself becoming emotional. Don’t cry, for goodness’ sake! She took a deep breath to calm herself.

  “I know how proud Ryan is, and how selfless, too, and I know that he wouldn’t want any reward for what he did. I understand that, I really do, but I hope you’ll understand, Ryan, that I can’t let what you did for me go without recognition.” She pulled an envelope out of her purse and handed it to him.

  “Before you open that, I need to tell you that it’s not a loan. It’s a gift. And please don’t think it’s charity, because it’s not. It’s a gift that I’ve recently become fortunate enough to be able to give, as a token of my thanks, and I hope you’ll be able to accept it without being offended or embarrassed.”

  Ryan looked at the envelope. He wanted to tell Charlotte that the gift wasn’t necessary and that he didn’t need any reward but the feeling that was overwhelming him was so incredible, he couldn’t bring himself to say the words.

  “Now just hang on a minute,” said Victor. “Before you open that, son, let me ask this young lady a couple of questions.” He wheeled himself over to sit opposite Charlotte so that he could look at her, face on. “Now…you say my boy saved your life?”

  Charlotte nodded. “Yes, he did.”

  “And how exactly did he do that?” Victor looked on with interest.

  “He got between me and someone who was trying to attack me with a knife. He fought them off and they ran away.” Charlotte shuddered as she remembered the attack with a recollection that was far too vivid for her liking.

  Victor turned to Ryan. “I suppose that’s how you got that cut on your face, is it?” he asked. “You know what he told me? He told me he got it at work. Said he tripped over while he was carrying a tray of drinks and fell on a glass.” He chuckled as he wagged his finger. “You must think your old man was born yesterday!”

  As Charlotte watched the gentle and obvious affection with which father and son communicated, it made her heart ache for her own parents. If she’d had any doubts about what she was planning to do, they’d just been blown away.

  “Anyway, sorry my dear, I interrupted you. Please carry on.” Victor relaxed in his chair and took a double-puff from a large purple inhaler.

  “You don’t have to open that now,” she said. “I just wanted to speak to you and your dad before you did.”

  “No, no, I am going to open it now,” Ryan replied. “I’m just a little embarrassed, that’s all.”

  As he tore open the envelope, he guessed it would contain a gift token, discount vouchers or money — what other kind of gift came in an envelope?

  If it was money, he prayed there would be enough to have grab bars fitted in the bathroom. On the rare occasions that his dad got out of his wheelchair, Ryan always had to accompany him in case he fell down.

  Victor Benson was a proud man and Ryan knew how much it hurt his pride that he couldn’t go to the bathroom without assistance from his son. Grab bars would help him enormously, and give him back a little independence when it came to activities that he would prefer to perform in private.

  He took a cheque from the envelope and gasped when he saw the amount. £4,000! £4,000! That was enough to fit grab bars all over the house, buy all his college textbooks, take his dad out to dinner, and maybe have a little left over.

  Stunned, Ryan passed the cheque to his Dad and leaned across to hug Charlotte.

  “Thank you. Thank you so much! I
can’t tell you how grateful I am — and, no, I’m not too offended or embarrassed to accept it! You’ve no idea what a difference £4,000 is going to make to us. Isn’t it, Dad?”

  He turned to his father and was dismayed to see tears running down his cheeks. Then Charlotte started crying, too. Victor put his arms out, beckoning her to him and she got up from the couch and leaned down to hug him. He pulled a tissue from the pack in his wheelchair and dried his eyes before turning to Ryan.

  “Son, I think you need to sit down.” His voice was shaky and a weak smile played on his lips.

  “Why? What’s wrong?” Ryan frowned. “Why are you crying?”

  Victor and Charlotte glanced at each other and Charlotte buried her face in one of Nathan’s handkerchiefs she’d brought with her, just in case she found herself in a situation like this.

  “Will someone please tell me what the bloody hell is going on?” said Ryan, a bemused look on his face.

  Victor took a wheezy breath. “This cheque isn’t for £4,000, son. It’s for £40,000!”

  The information didn’t register at first — it took a little while. Ryan took the cheque from his dad and stared at it. Then he stared at it some more. Then he burst into tears.

  He sat on the ground in front of his Dad’s wheelchair, rested his head on his knees and cried like a baby. Victor stroked his head, too choked with emotion to say anything at all.

  This is my cue to leave, thought Charlotte and quietly let herself out.

  Epilogue

  It was Friday evening and Charlotte and Jess were sitting on the terrace at Charlotte’s Plaice.

  They’d finished stacking up the tables and chairs and were ready to lock up just as soon as they’d finished the glass of wine they were enjoying to herald the beginning of the weekend. The rest of the evening and all the next day stretched before them, and neither of them had any plans whatsoever.

  “Aaah, it’s a good feeling not to have to worry about what time you go to bed tonight, because it doesn’t matter what time you get up tomorrow morning, isn’t it?” said Jess.

  “Yep,” agreed Charlotte, shielding her eyes from the sun and looking out at the boats. I will never tire of this place, she thought.

  She was roused from her daydreams by Pippin, who barked once and sat up from his position at her feet, ears pricked up and alert.

  “What’s up, boy?” she asked, at which the little dog ran off down the footpath only to reappear seconds later with Nathan in tow.

  “Evening, ladies. I can see that your weekend’s started early!” He laughed as he took a chair off the nearest stack and sat down with them.

  “If you want some wine, you’d better get yourself a glass because I’m too relaxed to move.” Charlotte leaned back to take full advantage of the early evening sunshine.

  “No, I can’t stop for long. I’ve just come to tell you that Alexander Young called me about ten minutes ago to say that he’ll be calling you between half-six and seven. He tried your number but you didn’t answer, so he asked me if I could let you know. I’m on my way to a meeting, but I thought I’d stop off and deliver the message in person. And because I’m nosy and I want to know what he’s calling about.”

  Charlotte laughed as she checked her phone. “You’re right, I’ve got two missed calls from him. Wonder why I didn’t hear the phone ring?” She scratched her head. “Oh, I know why…he must have called when I was saying goodbye to Leo and Harry. They’re going off on Leo’s boat for a couple of weeks, remember? I left the phone in the kitchen when I came out to wave them off.”

  “Who’s Alexander Young?” asked Jess, pouring herself another glass of wine.

  “He’s the solicitor dealing with Tom’s estate. I’ve been dreading the call from him to tell me that the cottage has been awarded to Tom’s children. It was nice to have had it for a while though.” She smiled, a little sadly.

  Her phone gave a shrill ring.

  “Hello, yes, Charlotte speaking. Hello, Mr Young. Yes, very well, thanks. And you?” She held the phone close to her ear, listening intently as she walked over to the entrance to Pier 4, stopping to lean against the railings to which her bike was chained.

  “What d’you think he’s saying?” whispered Jess to Nathan.

  “Dunno. He’s probably calling to tell her that things are taking longer to work out than he thought they would. You know how legal things can drag on.”

  “Okay, thank you. Yes, I will. Bye.” Instead of going back to the table, Charlotte walked slowly up the pier, Pippin at her heels.

  “Oh, dear. Doesn’t look like good news, does it?” said Jess.

  “Well, she wasn’t really expecting good news,” said Nathan. “She’d already resigned herself to the fact that Tom’s cottage was going back to his family. She was just waiting to find out when that would be. Between you and me, I think she was hoping for the decision to be delayed for as long as possible.

  “You know how fond she was of Tom and I think that having the cottage, even if only for a little while, was helping her to grieve.” Nathan looked at his watch. “Anyway, time for me to make a move, but I’d better go and give her a hug before I do. She could probably do with one.”

  He walked up the pier, stopping behind Charlotte, and put his arms around her. “I’m sorry,” he whispered against her hair. “I know how much you wanted the cottage to be yours.”

  She turned to face him, her eyes brimming with tears waiting to mingle with those that had already fallen onto her cheeks. “It is mine.” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

  “What?” said Nathan.

  “It is mine. The cottage — it’s mine!” She grabbed his hands and jumped up and down. “The court’s decision went in my favour. I can’t believe it!”

  She flung her arms around his neck and he lifted her off her feet. As he carried her back down the pier, Pippin ran ahead, stopping every few steps to make sure they were still behind him.

  “Jess!” Charlotte called out as Nathan swung her round. “Open a bottle of champagne – we’re celebrating! Well, you and me are, anyway! Woohoo!”

  As the cork popped and Nathan poured two glasses of bubbly, Charlotte cast her eyes skyward and blew a kiss.

  Thank you, Tom. Looks like that angel dust worked, after all.

  The End

  Spare Ribs, Secrets and a Scandal – Book 3

  Cast of Characters

  Charlotte Denver - Owner of Charlotte’s Plaice café on the marina in St. Eves. Our heroine.

  Nathan Costello – Detective Chief Inspector. Also Charlotte’s boyfriend.

  Jess Beddington - Jess’s closest friend and co-worker at Charlotte’s Plaice.

  Detective Sergeant Ben Dillon - Is renting Charlotte’s house.

  Detective Sergeant Fiona Farrell – Often works with Ben

  Drew Ferguson - An old friend of Charlotte’s and Jess’s. Recently returned to St. Eves with his fiancée, Kate

  Kate Denton - An old friend of Charlotte’s and Jess’s. Recently returned to St. Eves with her fiancé, Drew

  Sumalee - Friend of Drew’s and Kate’s

  Nina - Suspect in murder investigation

  Olivia Floyd-Martin - Chef of The President hotel’s rooftop restaurant.

  Simon Clancy - Manager of The President hotel.

  Mario - Waiter at The President

  Jean-Claude - Waiter at The President

  Amanda – Nathan’s assistant

  Ava Whittington - Lifelong resident of St. Eves. Has known Charlotte since she was

  born.

  Harriett Lawley - as above.

  Betty Tubbs - as above.

  Leo Reeves - lifelong resident of St. Eves.

  Harry Jenkins - lifelong resident of St. Eves.

  Garrett Walton - Lifelong resident of St. Eves and skipper of one of St. Eves fishing boat fleet. Also Charlotte’s godfather.

  Laura Walton - Garrett’s wife and Charlotte’s godmother.

  Mike Walton - Garrett and Laura’s ne
phew. Sometimes helps out at Charlotte’s Plaice.

  Ryan Benson - Bar Manager at The Bottle of Beer music bar on the marina

  Will Goss - Owner of The Bottle of Beer

  Adam and Yolanda - Owners of the Mini-Mart on the marina.

  Mr. Tomlinson - Coroner

  Ken Denton - Kate’s father

  Louise Denton - Kate’s mother

  Steve Ferguson - Drew’s father

  Debra Ferguson - Drew’s mother

  George Costello - Nathan’s father

  Hattie Costello - Nathan’s mother

  Barbara Costello - Nathan’s sister

  Brody - Barbara’s boyfriend

  Victor Benson - Ryan’s father

  Julia Stapleton - Nathan’s old neighbour

  Nicholas Stapleton - Her husband

  The woman in green - Suspect in murder investigation

  Pippin - Charlotte’s West Highland Terrier.

  Chapter 1

  “Charlotte! Can you hurry up and let me know where you want us to put this before I lose all feeling in my fingers?”

  Garrett Walton stood at one end of the handcrafted, rosewood sideboard and raised an eyebrow at Ryan Benson, who stood at the opposite end. Sweat rolled down his forehead and collected in beads on his eyelashes.

  “Sorry, sorry! I was making a start on unpacking the crates downstairs.”

  The sound of footsteps taking the stairs two at a time were closely followed by the appearance of Charlotte Denver around the bedroom door, her West Highland Terrier, Pippin, at her heels.

  A wide hair band held her short, dark hair off her face, a slick of apricot gloss across her lips her only concession to makeup. Her light-brown eyes shone and she beamed with excitement at finally moving into her new home. “Y’know, I don’t know how on earth I’ve accumulated so much stuff. I haven’t even brought it all with me. I left a lot of it at...”

  “Charlotte! The sideboard?” Garrett’s pained voice brought her back to the matter in hand.