“In love with you? No! Of course not, that would be silly.” Derek gave a nervous laugh too. “Do you want to watch a film together? I’ve recorded The African Queen. Or do you need to go somewhere?”
Pearl looked back at him. “There are other ghosts that are needing our help. But they can wait. I do like Humphrey Bogart.” She settled further into the sofa and smiled back at Derek.
Derek put the film on and settled back too. He felt a warmth on his hand. Pearl had put her hand on top of his. He smiled to himself and left her hand where it was.
Gossip To Kill For
Chapter 1
Derek Quill considered the offer. He gave it some serious thought. He scratched his head and thought even more about it.
A woman spoke at his side, “Good morning, Derek, how are you today?”
Derek smiled at the elderly woman. She had grey curly hair and was wearing an old-fashioned blue dress. He looked up and down the supermarket aisle and then took his mobile phone from his pocket. He couldn’t speak to her directly so he used the ruse of speaking into his phone. “Good morning, Pearl. I’m doing okay, thank you. I’m just trying to decide whether or not to get this special offer.” He nodded his head in the direction of the tinned salmon in front of him. “It’s a good offer, three for the price of two. I’m not all that keen on tinned salmon but I’ve heard that it’s good for you. What do you think?”
Pearl waved a hand at him dismissively and said, “Who cares if it’s supposed to be good for you? If you don’t like it, then don’t get it. Your life is too precious to waste on silly things like tinned salmon.” Her wrinkly face crinkled up even more as she grinned at him.
Derek nodded. He checked the aisles again. There was no one within earshot. If anyone did look his way they would think he was just an old man talking to someone on his phone. They couldn’t see Pearl. She was a ghost. Derek had only been able to see ghosts recently, thanks to a special kiss from Pearl. His cheeks suddenly heated up as he remembered that moment.
He cleared his throat and looked away from the salmon. “Have you got a case for me? Or is this a social visit?”
Pearl let out a bark of a laugh. “If I wanted to pay you a social visit I wouldn’t turn up in a supermarket!” Her eyes widened as she took in her surroundings. “By heck! It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a supermarket.” She looked at the shelves in front of her. Her eyes widened even more. “How much are they charging for a tin of tuna? That’s daylight robbery!”
“It’s inflation.” Derek was tempted to ask when she was last in a supermarket, but he knew she wouldn’t give him an answer. Pearl had told him before that she was a woman of mystery and she intended to stay that way. Derek continued, “Have you brought a ghost with you? If you have, I can’t see them.”
Pearl couldn’t tear her attention away from the shelves. “Look at that tin of sardines! I could have had a week’s holiday in Cornwall for the same price that they’re charging! And I’d have change left over for a Cornish pasty. It’s an outrage!”
Derek chuckled at her shocked expression. She was small in stature but she had a loud voice. Thank goodness no one else could hear her. “Pearl, where’s the other ghost?”
“What?” Pearl turned her face to him. “Oh! Yes, the other ghost. I have brought a young lass with me. She’s flitted off to the hairdresser’s down the road. I told her I’d have to find you, and that she needed to be with me. But the cheeky madam just swanned off into the hairdresser’s and now she won’t come out. You’ll have to go and collect her when you’ve finished your shopping.” She peered into his basket. “Is that all you’re buying, Derek, love? There’s not enough there to feed a mouse.” She clicked her tongue in disapproval and folded her arms tightly. “Although, I’m not surprised you can’t buy much, not at these illegal prices. Do the government know what’s going on in places like this?” She clicked her tongue again. “Of course they do. They’re probably all in on it. Nothing changes.”
Derek chuckled again. “I’m so glad to see you, Pearl. You brighten up my day.” He put his phone away and lifted his basket higher. “I’ll take this to the checkout and then we’ll go to the hairdresser’s. Come on, this way.”
Pearl muttered at his side as they made their way to the checkout area. She was thoroughly disgusted with the prices, and she made sure Derek knew how strongly she felt about it. Derek smiled to himself, it was good to have Pearl near him again.
He couldn’t help but burst into laughter as he approached the do-it-yourself checkout area, as he liked to call it.
Pearl quickly took in the scene. She threw her hands up and declared, “You’ve got to be kidding me! These thieving swines now expect you to sort your own shopping out! Can’t they even do that for you? It’s an outrage!”
Derek ignored the looks that the other shoppers were giving him as he listened to Pearl’s rants and chuckled to himself. He scanned his items and placed them in the cotton bag that he retrieved from his pocket.
Pearl almost burst with indignation. “You’ve got to bring your own bag? They should at least give you a bag. With these prices they should give you a gold watch! Blooming cheek!”
Derek finished his shopping, said thank you to the checkout machine that he’d just used, and headed towards the exit.
Pearl walked at his side. She shook her head. “I don’t know how you put up with this modern living, I just don’t.” She looked up at him and smiled. “Right. Are you ready to deal with a murdered ghost again?”
Derek gave her a quick smile and a nod. He’d helped two ghosts so far. Both ghosts had been murdered but their deaths had been initially classed as accidental. Derek had made enquiries and uncovered the murderer in each case. With help from Pearl.
Pearl said, “It’s that hairdresser’s down on the left. The one with all that fancy pink writing on the window.”
Derek’s step faltered. He knew which hairdresser’s she meant. He felt his heart speed up. He’d been there before, many times. He willed himself to stay strong.
Chapter 2
As soon as Derek pushed the door to the hairdresser’s open he was overcome with bittersweet memories.
The sound of the hairdryers mixed in with the chatter of the customers.
The distant songs coming from the radio.
The smell of ammonia and shampoo.
Derek’s knees buckled and he fell to the floor. He heard a scream. It sounded far away. His vision blurred and he closed his eyes. Someone grabbed his arms and pulled him to his feet. He was led over to a soft chair by the window. As he sat down he opened his eyes and saw the concerned face of the woman who worked there. What was her name again?
Pearl was standing behind the woman. “Derek! Derek, love! Are you alright?”
Derek tried to smile. He took a few deep breaths and sat up straighter.
The woman in front of him said, “Mr Quill, are you okay? Would you like a drink of something? Should I phone for an ambulance?”
Derek shook his head at her. “No. I’ll be fine in a minute. Thank you. It’s just that I haven’t been in here … for a while.”
The woman smiled and sat in a chair next to him. “Since your wife died? She was one of my favourite customers. Dorothy always had a good word to say about everyone. She’s sorely missed. Do you remember me? I’m Lydia, I did her hair. Your Dorothy wouldn’t let anyone else touch her hair.”
Derek nodded. “I do remember you, lass. I had to practically drag Dorothy out of here. She never wanted to go. She loved hearing about what was going on in this town.”
Lydia gave him a sad smile. “I’m sorry to say that we don’t have much gossip in here nowadays. Not since … Anyway, enough of my problems. Let me get you a coffee with extra sugar. You look like you need it. Why have you come in here anyway?”
Good question. He could hardly say that he’d forgotten his wife was dead and he’d come to pick her up. A half-lie came to him. “I wondered if you could give me a quick trim.” He
caught the surprised look on Lydia’s face. He laughed and touched the hair above his ears. “I know I haven’t got much but I do like to keep it tidy.”
Lydia gave him a kind look. “Of course. I’ll finish up with Mrs Lilac over there first. I’ll get someone to bring you a coffee over.” She held her hand up. “Don’t even think about refusing!” She laid a gentle hand on his shoulder as she stood. She walked away and spoke to a young girl who was sweeping the floor.
Pearl sat in the chair that Lydia had just vacated. She put her hand on Derek’s arm and, as was usual with Pearl, a warmth spread through him. “Derek, why didn’t you tell me this is where Dorothy used to go? I would have made the ghost come outside if I’d have known. Are you alright, my love? I know how painful memories can be.”
Derek gave her a grateful smile and muttered, “I’ll be okay in a moment or two.” He looked around the room. His smile grew. “I think I’ve spotted our ghost. Flying two feet above the ground is a bit of a giveaway.”
A cup of coffee was brought to him, along with a couple of chocolate biscuits. Derek thanked the girl who placed the items on a table in front of him. He sipped his coffee as he watched the ghost of a young woman flit around the room. She must have been in her early twenties when she died. She was skinny and dressed in black jeans with a blue T-shirt. Her dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail. A length of shocking pink hair hung loose at the side of her small face. The girl’s jaw moved constantly as if she was chewing something.
Pearl looked over at the girl too. “She’s called Gabriel Johnson, Gabby for short.” She gave a small laugh. “You’ll soon see why that name suits her. She was twenty-two when she died. She can’t remember much about her death yet. She was most insistent that I bring her here. She said there was gossip that she had to catch up with.” She tutted. “She’s a bit of a nosy so-and-so, isn’t she? Look at her, blatantly listening to private conversations. And now look at her! Looking over the shoulder of that woman who’s checking her phone!”
Gabby suddenly looked up. She gave Derek a direct stare. He shivered. Seeing a ghost was one thing, but having that ghost look directly at you was another thing altogether. Gabby put her hands on her hips and cocked her head to one side. Her jaws moved up and down as she stared at Derek.
“Oi!” Pearl cried out. “It’s rude to stare! Get yourself over here, missy. We haven’t got all day.”
Gabby flew across the shop and landed at Derek’s side. She jerked her thumb at him and said to Pearl, “He’s going to be the one to help me? This grave-dodger? Are you having a laugh?”
Pearl gave her a hard stare. “I certainly am not having a laugh. Derek is experienced in these kind of matters. And I’ll thank you to lose that insolent tone, young lady.”
Gabby’s brow furrowed. “What does insolent mean?” She turned her attention to Derek. “Are you really gonna find out who killed me?”
Derek gave her a small nod. He could feel Lydia looking over at him. It was hard to have a discreet conversation with ghosts.
Gabby’s jaw moved up and down as she studied Derek. “I suppose you’re better than nowt. Just about. How old are you? 100?”
Pearl shot to her feet. She pointed at Gabby. “You get one warning. Then you’re on your own. Understand?”
Gabby put her hands on her hips and looked as if she was going to tell Pearl what she could do with her warning. Her jaws finally stopped moving. She flopped to the floor and sat cross-legged in front of Derek. She gave a heavy sigh and said, “Someone killed me. They’ve got away with murder.” She waved her arm around the shop. “And it’s someone who comes in here. I just know it.”
Chapter 3
Derek opened his mouth slightly, ready to ask Gabby to expand on her comments but he swiftly closed it again when Lydia called out his name. “Mr Quill, I’m ready for you now.”
Pearl said to Derek, “We can talk to Gabby later about this. If she thinks that her murderer is someone connected to this hairdresser’s then you need to start asking questions.”
Derek gave her a small nod and then got to his feet. He ignored the creaking sound that came from his knees. His knees creaked a lot recently. He’d been so active since getting himself involved with ghosts and their murders. His body was still protesting about the unaccustomed exercise. Still, the occasional pain was worth it if he could help someone. He shot a quick glance at Gabby. She was only young. It wasn’t fair that her life had been cut short.
Lydia was standing at the till. An older lady stood at her side, fastening up her coat and complaining, “Are you sure you can’t give me another discount? I’m a pensioner, you know. Money doesn’t grow on trees, not in my back garden anyway!”
Lydia shook her head and gave her customer a smile. “I’m sorry, Mrs Lilac. You know I can’t. Shall I book you in for next month?”
Mrs Lilac patted her hair. “I’m not sure yet. I might have a look around, see if I can find a cheaper place.” Her lips pursed together and she patted her hair again. “Are you sure you’ve cut it right? I don’t think you have.”
Gabby floated to Mrs Lilac’s side and muttered, “Stingy old cow. She always asks for a discount. And she never leaves a tip.”
Derek interrupted the women at the till, “Excuse me, Lydia. Should I take a seat over there? It’s very good of you to fit me in at such short notice.”
Lydia smiled at him. “Yes, Mr Quill, take a seat. I’ll be with you in a minute.”
Mrs Lilac tutted loudly. “I see, it’s like that, is it? You let people walk in off the street and have an appointment straight away! It’s not right. I’ve had to book a month in advance. I’m a loyal customer. You should have some sort of loyalty scheme here, like they do in the supermarkets.”
Gabby muttered something else but Derek chose to ignore it. He didn’t like to hear young people using words like that. He headed towards the seat that Mrs Lilac had vacated.
Mrs Lilac hadn’t finished. She followed Derek, grabbed hold of his sleeve and said, “You’d better pay the same price as everyone else.”
Derek pulled his sleeve free. “Of course I will.”
Pearl moved in front of Mrs Lilac and raised her fist at her. “Lay one more finger on my Derek and I’ll …”
Derek chose to ignore the rest of Pearl’s sentence. He didn’t like to hear older people using language like that. He tried once more to head towards his seat.
Gabby called out, “Oh no! Lydia’s in for it now! Here comes the monster!”
The door opened. The chatter in the hairdresser’s died down. The temperature seemed to drop. Derek turned to look at the person who had caused the sudden changes. A middle-aged woman wearing a business suit had entered the building. She was of average build with average looks. Derek didn’t miss the hard look in her eyes and the way that her mouth was pressed into a thin line.
Gabby pointed to the woman. “That’s Ms Coleman, Mona Coleman! She’s a right old monster! Watch what happens.”
Mrs Lilac’s mouth raised at one side as she looked at Ms Coleman. “Hello there, Ms Coleman. I hope you’re here to keep an eye on Lydia.” She patted her hair. “I think her work is going downhill. I asked, quite rightly, for a discount, but she refused. And,” she pointed at Derek, “she let him in without an appointment. It’s a disgrace! An absolute disgrace!”
Ms Coleman stared at Mrs Lilac for a moment. Then her attention moved to Lydia. “Is this true, Ms Barton? About this gentleman not having an appointment?”
Lydia seemed to shrink in on herself. “I ... yes, it is true. I had a spare moment so I thought I could fit Mr Quill in.”
The ice almost dropped from Ms Coleman’s words as she continued, “If you have a spare moment then you’re not organising your time efficiently. We’ve spoken about this before, Ms Barton. It seems like we will have to speak about it again.” She flicked a cold look at Derek. He tried to smile but his smile didn’t want to know. “Ms Barton, ask this gentleman to make an appointment.” Her left eyebrow arched.
“You do know how to do that, don’t you? Or shall I do that for you?”
Irritation flickered in Lydia’s eyes. “I can manage that, Ms Coleman.” She turned to Derek.
He was already approaching Lydia’s side. “Don’t you worry about me. I can come back any time.”
Lydia gave him a grateful smile and looked down at a book near the till. When she looked back up she said, “I can fit you in tomorrow morning at nine. How does that sound?”
“Perfect,” Derek replied.
Lydia looked at Ms Coleman. “Is that alright with you?” Ms Coleman gave her an icy stare in reply. Lydia looked at Mrs Lilac. “And is that alright with you?”
Mrs Lilac huffed, “It’s nothing to do with me!”
Ms Coleman moved closer to Lydia and said quietly, “I’d like a word with you in private.”
Derek said as cheerfully as he could manage, “Right, I’ll see you tomorrow. Cheerio!” He moved towards the exit door. Mrs Lilac moved too. Derek opened the door and indicated for Mrs Lilac to go out first.
As soon as they were outside Mrs Lilac said, “Well! What a carry-on! What a way to treat valued customers!” She looked down at Derek’s shopping bag. “Have you bought any tinned salmon? It’s on offer today. I hate salmon but I’m not going to let that stop me. A bargain is a bargain.” She abruptly walked away.
Derek looked back at the hairdresser’s. There was a lot of tension inside. He wasn’t quite sure what to make of it all.
Pearl appeared at his side. She had her hand on Gabby’s arm. “Derek, let’s find somewhere quiet to talk.”
Gabby wriggled under Pearl’s grip. “Get off! I want to go back inside! I want to hear what the monster is going to say to Lydia!”
Pearl tightened her grip. “You’re coming with us, missy. And you’re going to tell us everything you know about your death!”
Pearl And Derek Mysteries - Box Set 1 Page 10
