Witch Is Where Clowns Go To Die (A Witch P.I. Mystery Book 38)
Page 9
“I didn’t realise I was supposed to be here for a particular time.”
“The match starts in one minute. You should have been here for the team talk.”
“I think there must have been a mistake.”
“I hope you’re as good as they say you are. This is a crucial game. If we win, we’ve got every chance of taking the league.”
“I’m playing then, am I?”
“Of course you’re playing. Did you think you were going to be one of the substitutes?”
“Err, not exactly.”
“Alright, then. We can’t afford any weak links today.”
Gwen was the first to play. She bowled the smaller ball, which I knew was called the jack. Her first bowl finished within a couple of feet of the jack. Next, a member of the other team bowled. Her bowl finished a foot or so behind Gwen’s.
That’s when everything seemed to grind to a halt, and I realised they were all looking at me.
“Rita! Come on!” Gwen said.
Rita? It was only then that I realised she was talking to me. It was too late to try and explain that I wasn’t Rita, so I lined up my shot, and gave it everything I had.
Which, as it turned out, wasn’t very much.
The bowl veered off-course and ended up about ten yards from the jack. It was actually closer to the jack of one of the other matches. When I turned around, Gwen was glaring at me, red-faced.
“What do you call that?” she said, in a not too hushed voice.
“I’m sorry. It slipped out of my hand.”
“Make sure your next bowl is better.”
“I’ll try.”
The second woman on the other team played an excellent shot; her bowl was nestled up against the jack. Gwen took much more time to line up her second shot, and it paid dividends because her bowl hit the jack full-on, knocking the opponent’s bowl into the gutter, leaving Gwen two up.
By now, Gwen had clearly given up on me; she had realised that she would have to win the game herself. Remarkably, she did just that, and we took the game by a single point.
When it was all over, we shook hands with the opponents, then I went to shake Gwen’s hand, but she grabbed me by the arm and dragged me off the green.
“Why on earth did anyone recommend you? You’re hopeless.”
“I’m sorry, but there seems to have been a terrible misunderstanding.”
“You’re telling me! It’s a good job I was on top form today or we would have been hammered.”
“The thing is, I’m not actually Rita.”
“What do you mean, you’re not Rita?”
“Just that. I didn’t come here to play bowls. I didn’t even know there was a match.”
“So why did you agree to play, then?”
“I didn’t. As soon as I walked through the gate, a woman dragged me over to you. The next thing I knew, you’d handed me the bowls.”
“If you’re not Rita, who are you?”
“My name is Jill Maxwell. I’m a PI. I’m investigating a murder in the human world. I was given to believe that you have the power to see events that took place in the past. I wondered if I could persuade you to come with me and take a look at the location where a child disappeared. My client was wrongly convicted of his murder.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t like the human world.”
“Please, this is really important. There must be something I can say or do that will change your mind.”
She began to study her hands. “Do you know anything about nail bars?”
“As in fingernails?” I held up my hands.
“Yes, the things on the end of your fingers.”
“I know an excellent nail bar, actually. Why?”
“The place I usually go to in Candlefield has closed down and all the others are useless. If you could arrange an appointment for me at a top-notch nail bar in the human world, then maybe I could see my way clear to helping you.”
“That’s great. Would Monday or Tuesday next week do?”
“Either of those would work for me. I’ll give you my phone number.”
Chapter 11
It was Saturday morning and the three of us were at the kitchen table eating breakfast.
“You’re so not funny, Jill,” Jack said.
“Look, it’s floating.” I continued to move my spoon from side to side in front of his face.
“Why is Mummy doing that with the spoon, Daddy?” Florence said.
“Because Mummy thinks it’s clever.”
“I can do that too.” Florence whipped her spoon out of her bowl of cornflakes. As she did, she splashed milk all over my face. “Sorry, Mummy.”
Jack was in hysterics. “Now that is funny!”
“I didn’t mean to do it, Mummy.”
“It’s alright, darling. I’m not mad at you. It was Daddy’s fault.”
“Mummy, are you coming to dance class today?”
“Yes, darling, I am.”
“Are you sure you’ll have time to take her, Jill?” Jack said. “It sounds like you have a busy day ahead.”
“I want to take her. And besides, you deserve some time to yourself.”
“I guess.”
“Have you got anything planned?”
“Not really.”
“When can I see your new car, Mummy?” Florence said.
“I’m going to get it on Monday.”
The previous evening, when I’d told Jack that I’d bought a new car, he’d got all huffy with me. Not because I’d spent the money, but because he thought he should have been involved in the decision making. But as I pointed out to him, he knew nothing about cars, and I hadn’t had any say when he’d bought his.
“Will I be able to go out in it on Monday, Mummy?”
“We’ll have to see. It depends what time I get home.”
“What colour is it?”
“Blue.”
“Why didn’t you get a red one? Red is my favourite colour.”
“They didn’t have any red ones, but the blue one is really nice. I think you’ll like it.”
“Is it the B-Q today, Mummy?”
“The barbecue? Yes, but you mustn’t be disappointed if it’s cancelled because it looks like rain.”
“There’s no rain forecast,” Jack said, helpfully. “The barbecue will definitely go ahead, Florence. I’m looking forward to it, are you?”
“Yes. What will they have to eat?”
“I’m not sure, but I bet there’ll be sausages and burgers.” Jack licked his lips. “Maybe some chicken.”
“Can Buddy come too?”
“No!” I got in quickly. “He’ll steal all the food. He’ll have to wait here until we come back.”
“Can I bring some food back for him?”
“I don’t see why not. I have lots to do today so I might not get back in time for the barbecue. If I don’t, you and Daddy will have to go without me.”
“You’d better make it back in time,” Jack said. “We promised Olga that we’d all go.”
“If I remember correctly, you were the one who made that particular promise. I’ll do my best, but it won’t be easy because I have to drop in at Deli’s, and then I have to go to the book signing I told you about.”
“Can’t your nails wait?”
“I’m not getting my nails done. When do I ever get them done? It’s all connected to one of the cases I’m working on.”
“Deli’s nail bar? What does that have to do with it?”
“It’s a long, complicated story. I’ll explain later.”
“Okay. Incidentally, while you’re at the dance class, don’t forget to check with Donna that Wendy is still coming over here tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
Jack had decided to take Buddy for a walk while Florence and I were at the dance class. Given the way he had to drag the Chihuahua through the gate, I got the impression that Buddy was less than enthusiastic about the idea.
&nb
sp; As soon as we got to the village hall, Florence went running over to Wendy. Donna beckoned me to sit next to her.
“Hey, Jill, when I drove past your place yesterday, the AA man was working on your car. Is it okay now?”
“He managed to get it going, but the thing is clapped out. I bought a new one yesterday. I collect it on Monday.”
“Nice. What did you get?”
“A blue one.”
She grinned. “A blue one? I take it you’re not into cars?”
“I like sports cars, but I’ll never be able to afford one of those. These days, I just need one to get me from A to B without breaking down.”
“Is it still okay for Wendy to come over to your place tomorrow?”
“Yeah, Florence is looking forward to it.”
“Wendy too. She’s talked about nothing else. Two o’clock we said, didn’t we?”
“Yeah. I thought they could play in the afternoon and then we’ll give them tea.”
“That’ll be great. It’ll give me and Ronnie some alone time because Rachel is at her friend’s too.” She gave me a knowing grin. “If you know what I mean.”
“I know exactly what you mean, trust me.”
“By the way, Jill.” She suddenly began to speak in a hushed voice. “When I was on my way over here, I spotted a couple of vampires walking through the village.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I don’t think anyone new has moved into the village, so I can only assume they’re tourists. It’s very rare to see sups in Middle Tweaking.”
The music started, and the girls began to dance. It was impossible to hold a meaningful discussion with the music and all the activity, so we sat back and watched the girls in action. Florence was definitely improving every week. Wendy, on the other hand, was just as awkward and clumsy as ever. Still, she seemed to enjoy it and that was all that mattered.
When the class was over, the four of us walked back together to the old watermill and then said our goodbyes.
Jack was reading the newspaper.
“I take it you didn’t get very far on your walk,” I said.
“I should have known better than to take that dog. We managed to get about two-hundred yards up the road before he sat down and refused to budge. I ended up buying a newspaper and coming back here.”
“Where is Buddy?”
“Fast asleep in the garden. Those two-hundred yards clearly exhausted him. How did the dance class go?”
“We learned a new dance, Daddy.” Florence gushed. “Would you like to see it?”
“Before you show Daddy your dance, Mummy has to go to work.”
“Bye, Mummy.” She gave me a big hug and a kiss.
“I’ll see you two later.”
“What about my kiss?” Jack pretended to pout, so I gave him a kiss too. “And make sure you’re back in time for the barbecue.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“You’d better.”
***
The book signing wasn’t until one o’clock, so I had plenty of time to drop in at Nailed-It. The shop had expanded dramatically since it first opened. Deli had bought Grandma’s beauty salon business, and she now offered the full range of treatments.
The young woman behind the counter had nails that were so long I couldn’t imagine how she ever used the computer.
“Good morning, madam. Do you have an appointment?”
“No, I don’t.”
“I’m afraid we’re fully booked for all treatments today.”
“I’m actually here to see Deli. Is she in?”
“Yes. What’s your name?”
“Jill Maxwell.”
The young woman had only spoken a few words into the phone when Deli appeared, larger than life and twice as loud.
“Jill!” She gave me a great big hug. “It’s ages since I’ve seen you. Where have you been hiding yourself?”
“Nowhere. I’m still working here in Washbridge.”
“A little bird told me that you’d got yourself a country residence now.”
“I’m not sure I’d call it a country residence, but yeah, we live in Middle Tweaking.”
“Very nice. Why don’t you come through to the back? I’ll make us a coffee.”
“Sure.” I followed her into the office where the furniture was every bit as gaudy as I’d expected.
“I hope these pods are okay,” she said, as she dropped one into the coffee machine. “Nails bought me this for my birthday.”
“That’ll be fine. Kathy has one of those.”
“What brings you here to see me, Jill?”
“I have a favour to ask of you.”
“Ask away. I’ll help if I can. You know that.”
“It’s actually for a friend of mine—well, more of an acquaintance, really. By the name of Gwen Ravensbeak.”
“Raven’s what?”
“Beak. Ravensbeak.”
“What a great name.”
“Isn’t it just? Anyway, Gwen has been let down by the nail bar she usually goes to, and she asked if I knew of a top-notch salon that might be able to fit her in at short notice. I immediately thought of you.”
“I would hope you did. They don’t come any more top notch than Nailed-It. When was she hoping to come?”
“I know you’re really busy, but ideally, Monday or Tuesday next week. If that’s possible.”
“Let me take a look.” She passed my drink and then sat at her desk and began to tap away on the computer. “You’re in luck. It’s Nails’ day off on Monday, but I can get him to come in for an hour to see to your lady.”
“I couldn’t ask him to come in on his day off.”
“It’s no bother. I happen to know he’s coming into town for lunch with one of his friends, so I’ll ask him to come in an hour early. He’ll be able to fit in your friend at eleven if that’s okay.”
“I’m sure it will be.”
“Make sure you tell your friend her appointment will be with our top nail technician. Nails has numerous awards to his name now, and he’s been featured in at least three different magazines.”
“I will. She’ll be very impressed, I’m sure.”
“Right. That’s all booked for you.”
“Thanks, Deli.”
Deli and I chatted for a while over coffee, but then she had to attend to a customer, so I thanked her again and left.
I still had a little time to kill before the book signing, so I decided to pay a visit to Mad at her hubby’s record shop, Vinyl Alley. The shop front was very small, and the window was covered in vinyl record sleeves, so I couldn’t see inside. It was like stepping back in time, to a record store from the seventies. It was very basic in design, just rows and rows of tables on which were wooden boxes, crammed full of vinyl records covering every genre. If the number of customers browsing through the stock was anything to go by, vinyl had clearly made a comeback.
Mad was behind the counter. “Jill, what do you think of the place?”
“It’s fantastic.”
“It’s a bit basic, but so was Brad’s shop in Glasgow. That’s what made the move so simple. All he had to do was to get the tables and stock transported down here. It took us about a week to set it all up, and then we were up and running.”
“Where is this new husband of yours, anyway? I was hoping I’d meet him today.”
“He’s just nipped out for coffee.”
“Is somebody talking about me?” A tall, skinny man with wild hair joined Mad behind the counter and put his arm around her waist.
“Brad, this is Jill. I told you all about her.”
“Pleased to meet you, Jill. According to Mad, you’re some kind of superstar detective.”
“I’m not sure I’d go that far.”
“Would you like a coffee? I can nip back out?”
“No, thanks. I’ve just had one. At your mum’s salon, actually, Mad. How are you settling into Washbridge, Brad?”
“Okay, so far. The people all se
em really friendly, and business is better than I could have hoped for, considering we’ve only just opened. The only downside so far is the thefts.”
“From the shop?”
“Yeah. We’ve had quite a few records go walkies over the last couple of weeks. I wouldn’t normally mind—the same thing happened in Glasgow—but whoever is taking them is picking out some real classics.” He reeled off the names of several artists and tracks that I’d never heard of. “See what I mean, Jill? Every one a classic.”
“Absolutely. What are you going to do about it?” I glanced around. “Don’t you have CCTV?”
“No, but we might have to think about getting it installed if the thefts continue. Anyway, you’ll have to excuse me. I have stock to sort out in the back. I’ll leave you two to talk. It was nice to meet you, Jill.”
“You too.”
“What do you think of Brad?” Mad asked after he’d disappeared into the back.
“He’s nice, but I wouldn’t have thought he was your type. He strikes me as a bit too hippie-ish for you.”
“I know, but we get on like a house on fire.”
“It’s a pity about the thefts.”
“And the leaks.” She pointed to a bucket in one of the aisles.
“Roof?”
“Yeah. There was no sign of a problem when we looked around the building originally, but ever since we moved in there’s been one leak after another.”
“Have you had someone look at it?”
“Brad’s pretty handy, but as soon as he stops one leak another one springs up. If it continues, we’ll have to bite the bullet and get the professionals in.”
“How’s the ghost hunter business doing?”
“It’s really quiet and I have no idea why. Since I moved back down here, I’ve only had two or three cases to deal with. Not that I’m complaining. I’m pleased to be able to spend more time in the shop. What were you doing at my mother’s salon? You weren’t getting your nails done, I can see that.”
“Asking her a favour.”
“Did she come through for you?”
“Yeah, big time.” I checked my watch. “Sorry, Mad, I have to get going.”
“When are the four of us going to get together for dinner?”
“Soon. I’ll be in touch.”