Pearl And Derek Mysteries - Box Set 1

by Gillian Larkin

  Pearl was standing next to an empty double seat with a proud look on her face. “You’re such a hero, Derek Quill. I didn’t think I could love you any more than I already do. There’s a seat here for us both. We can have a nice natter on the journey.”

  Theresa looked back at Derek and said, “Would you mind if I sat with you? There aren’t any other seats left.”

  Derek’s heart twisted as the smile fell from Pearl’s face. He couldn’t tell Theresa that he wanted to sit next to his ghostly friend. “Of course I don’t mind. You can have the window seat.” He placed Theresa’s heavy bag in the space above the seat. He shot Pearl an apologetic look as he sat down.

  Pearl’s chin wobbled slightly but she gave him a brave smile and said, “We can have a natter later. I’ll float around and see if anyone talks about Beryl.”

  Derek watched her walk down the aisle, her back straight. He hated upsetting her. His attention was suddenly caught by another ghost.

  Beryl Sherburn had appeared at the front of the coach. She was shooting looks of hate towards Pam and Felicity who were now sitting in the front seats. Derek flinched as he heard Beryl yell at them, “That’s my seat! Get out! I know what you two are up to! You’re going to pay for it!”

  Chapter 5

  Derek watched as Pearl moved towards Beryl’s side. She raised her hands towards Beryl and tried to calm her down. Beryl shook her head and started jabbing her finger in Pam’s direction. Derek couldn’t hear what they were saying now.

  Theresa said to him, “Thank you for helping me. I’ve had such a morning! I needed to feed the cat before I left, and wouldn’t you know it, he’s decided that he no longer likes tuna! I had to find him some chicken.” She shook her head and laughed. “I haven’t seen you on one of these trips before. Is this your first time?”

  Derek nodded and gave her a polite smile. He looked towards the front of the coach again. He wanted to know what Beryl was saying to Pearl.

  Theresa folded her hands in her lap. “I thought so. These trips are great. I felt a bit funny about going on my own at first but Beryl soon put me at ease.”

  Derek’s ears pricked up. “Beryl?”

  “Yes. Beryl Sherburn. She used to run these trips. She had a tragic accident last year. She fell down the steps that go up to Whitby Abbey. She broke her neck.” Theresa looked left and right. She lowered her voice and continued, “It said in the papers that it was an accident. They said that Beryl had been drinking. I don’t think that’s true. Beryl was never a drinker. And she’d never drink when she was in charge of us all. She was a loud woman with loud opinions but she always put other people first. She made sure that these day trips ran smoothly for us all.” She shook her head. “She’d turn in her grave if she saw who was sorting out these trips now.”

  Derek glanced towards the front of the coach. Beryl was doing more than turning in her grave. Pearl was trying to hold her back as Beryl waved her clenched fists furiously towards Pam. Derek felt helpless as he watched them. He turned back to Theresa, hoping that he could get some useful information from her. “Do you mean Pam? She’s the one who took my details, I presume she’s the organiser. Didn’t Beryl like her?”

  “That’s an understatement! Beryl and Pam were at school together. I think they were best friends at one stage but then Beryl got fed up with Pam following her around all the time. Pam used to dress like Beryl and she even had the same opinions that Beryl had. From what I’ve heard, it seems that Pam tried to rekindle their friendship over the years but Beryl was having none of it. When Pam turned up to one of our social meetings with her daughter, Beryl was furious. But she decided to give Pam another chance. I think she soon regretted that decision. Pam soon started wearing the same clothes as Beryl again. It was embarrassing but Beryl didn’t say anything. She was too kind-hearted to say anything mean.”

  Derek couldn’t imagine Beryl not saying anything. He suspected that Theresa was wearing rose-tinted glasses when it came to Beryl. He said, “I met Pam yesterday. And I met her daughter. Isn’t she too young to be on this trip?”

  “Felicity should have her own life. I heard that she started going out in her twenties but Pam made her feel guilty about it. So Felicity stayed at home. She started to dress like her mum. They went to the same places together. They even work at the same supermarket. You’d think they’d be sick to death of each other! We all keep hoping that Felicity will meet a young man and get a life of her own.”

  “How did Beryl feel about Felicity?”

  “She had a soft spot for her. I saw them chatting several times on these trips. You should have seen Pam’s face when she caught them chatting together. A face like thunder doesn’t do it justice! She’s the only person who didn’t seem sad when Beryl died last year. It didn’t take her long to step into Beryl’s shoes where our club was concerned, I can tell you!”

  Derek looked towards the front of the coach. Both ghosts had now gone. Had Pearl taken Beryl to a quiet place to calm her down again? Derek forced a chuckle out and said, “If we were in the middle of an Agatha Christie novel, I’d think that Beryl had been pushed down those steps on purpose. And, after what you’ve just told me, my number one suspect would be Pam!” He chuckled again to give the impression that he wasn’t serious.

  Theresa studied him for a moment. She raised her eyebrows and said, “I don’t think you’d be far from the truth with your assumption.” She gave him a bright smile. “Anyway, let’s not gossip about people. Have you got a cat? No? Let me tell you about my history with cats! I’ll start with Robert. I got him when I was eleven.”

  Derek listened politely as Theresa went on. He didn’t realise he’d fallen asleep until he was shaken gently a while later.

  Theresa laughed. “We’re here. I think I made you nod off. I had that effect on my late husband. He was forever falling asleep in the middle of a conversation. Can you get my bag down, please?”

  Derek blinked and looked out of the coach window. They were in a car park. He could see Whitby Abbey standing on the hill in the distance. He began to stand up. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to fall asleep. That was rude of me.”

  “Think nothing of it. I wiped a bit of dribble off your chin when you were asleep. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Heat flooded Derek’s cheeks. He quickly got Theresa’s bag down and handed it to her. He followed everyone off the coach and stood in a semicircle that had formed around Pam and Felicity.

  Howard shouted over from the driver’s seat, “I’m locking the coach now. I’ll be back here at five. Don’t be late or I’ll go without you.” He gave Pam a grim look and closed the doors.

  Pam shook her head slightly and then announced that a fish and chip lunch had been booked at The Magpie Café. They were to make their way there immediately.

  Derek’s heart felt heavy. The last time he’d been to Whitby had been with his wife, Dorothy, and their two daughters, Julianne and Abbie. Both Dorothy and Abbie had passed on and Derek missed them dreadfully. On their last visit to Whitby they hadn’t been able to get into the ever popular Magpie Café because of the large queue outside. Instead, they had bought sandwiches and made the trek up to the abbey. His own little Abbie had thought it was so funny for her to be inside the abbey grounds. She’d even told him off for spelling her name ‘the wrong way’.

  Derek sighed. What was he doing here with all these women? And where was Pearl when he needed her? Derek glanced towards the train station at the side of the car park. He was tempted to make a run towards it.

  But no, he couldn’t do that. When Abbie had died, a lovely woman called Grace had helped Abbie find out who had killed her. Derek would do the same for Beryl.

  He stood a bit straighter and put a smile on his face. It was time to interrogate his suspects.

  Chapter 6

  Derek’s step faltered a bit as he followed the others to The Magpie Café. Memories kept creeping up on him. He followed the rest of the group inside. He heard Pam talking to a waitress and the
n they were all led upstairs. Derek shoved his good manners to one side and pushed his way forward. He intended to sit next to Felicity.

  Felicity smiled at him as he pulled out a chair for her. “Thank you. It’s Derek, isn’t it?” She sat down and looked towards the window. “Isn’t this a lovely view? You can see the harbour and all the boats. We’re going on a boat trip later on this afternoon. Mum’s arranged it all but she’s sticking to the itinerary from last year so she doesn’t upset anyone. She’s doing a marvellous job.” She looked over to the head of the table where Pam was taking a seat. She gave her mum a little wave.

  Derek sat down and said, “I’ve never been on one of these trips before. I’m having a great time.” He stopped as a waitress came to take his order. When she’d moved on he continued, “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but aren’t you too young to be on a trip like this?”

  Felicity laughed. “I am! But I’m here to support Mum. She might look as if she knows what she’s doing but she’s very nervous. She wants everything to be perfect on this trip. She’s not a confident person and she doesn’t make friends easily. She doesn’t want everyone to fall out with her if anything goes wrong today. She barely slept last night for worrying about today!”

  “You sound like you’re very close to your mum.”

  Felicity’s face softened as she looked over to her mum again. “She’s my best friend. I know that’s a weird thing to say in this day and age, but she is. I had some difficult times at school. Mum was always there to listen and help me. When I left school I still had problems making friends with people my own age.” She sighed heavily. “I suppose that’s my fault for not making more of an effort. Mum knew I was depressed and told me to come along to the over sixties club with her. Everyone was so friendly! I kept going back. It was nice to share the experiences with Mum. She’s great. I’d do anything for her.”

  The waitress returned with pots of tea for everyone. Derek offered to pour a cup for Felicity. As he did so, he questioned her further, “I heard that Beryl Sherburn used to run this club. How did your mum get on with her?”

  Felicity’s eyes flashed with irritation. “Oh! That woman! She upset Mum so many times. She was so bossy and wouldn’t let anyone help her at the social club. Mum tried many times but Beryl would shout at her, and in front of everyone! They were at school together and Mum said they used to be good friends. I just couldn’t understand how Beryl could talk to Mum like that. It made me furious!”

  “Milk? Sugar?” Derek asked.

  “Just milk, thank you.”

  “How did you get on with Beryl? Did she mind you coming to the club?”

  “No. She was fine about it. I think she felt sorry for me.” Felicity gave him a small smile. “I know that most of them at the club feel sorry for me but Mum told me not to pay any attention to them. Beryl used to have chats with me. She told me that I needed to meet people of my own age. She said she could even set something up for me! I told her I was fine but she kept on insisting that the over sixties club wasn’t for me. Mum was livid when she found out what Beryl had been saying. She said that Beryl must be jealous of our relationship and how close we are.”

  Derek nodded in agreement. “I see. I read that Beryl died on this very trip last year. It said in the papers that she’d been drinking. Was she a drinker?”

  Felicity frowned and looked down at her cup. “That is a mystery. Beryl wasn’t a drinker at all. We had some social events where drinking was involved but Beryl wouldn’t have even the smallest glass. She didn’t like the taste of alcohol and she said she needed to keep a clear head because she was in charge of organising everything.” She picked up her cup.

  Derek had a sip of his own tea. He hadn’t finished with his questions yet. He put his cup down and gave a jovial laugh. “I can’t say that I’m looking forward to climbing those 199 steps to the abbey! I’m not sure I’ll make it.”

  Felicity looked confused. “We’re not climbing the steps. We never do. We get the bus up to the abbey. It goes the long way round but it’s better for the older ones.”

  “Oh. I thought going up the steps was part of the trip. I read that Beryl had fallen down the steps so I assumed that it was part of the day out.”

  “No. That’s another mystery. Beryl wasn’t the fittest person and I’ve no idea why she would have been walking up those steps.” She gave Derek an overly bright smile. “That’s all in the past now.”

  Derek said, “It all sounds very suspicious. Don’t you think so?”

  Felicity’s fake smile grew. “No. I don’t think that at all.” She looked over Derek’s shoulder. “Ah. Here’s the food. I don’t mean to be rude but I must talk to other people.” She nodded as the waitress placed a huge plate of fish and chips in front of her. And then she turned her back ever so slightly on Derek. It was obvious that she didn’t want to talk to him any more.

  Derek looked down at his own plate. It smelt delicious but he didn’t have much of an appetite. He tucked in anyway and thought about his next plan of action. He cast a hopeful look around the restaurant. Still no sign of Pearl.

  Chapter 7

  The women at Derek’s side and across from him soon started a conversation with him and Derek was glad for their company. He was beginning to wallow in too much self-pity.

  He pushed away his plate when he’d had enough. He managed to eat half of it. He drained the last of his tea and once more looked around the café. Still no Pearl.

  Pam tapped on the side of her teacup with a knife to get everyone’s attention. Derek turned her way. She gave a bright smile and patted her tummy. “Wasn’t that a delicious meal? We’ve got an hour before we go on our boat trip so feel free to have a wander around the streets. We’ll meet at that boat across the way.” She pointed towards the window. “Can everyone see it? It’s the one with the blue and red lettering. It’s the same one that we went on last year.”

  “And the year before that!” someone called out.

  Worry crossed Pam’s face. “Oh. Is it alright that we go on the same boat? I thought you all enjoyed it. I can try and organise something different for next year.”

  Felicity shot an annoyed look around the table. “It’s fine, Mum. It’s perfect.”

  Pam gave her a grateful smile. “Well, off you go. I’ve already sorted out the bill. I’ll see you in one hour, at the boat over there. The one with the blue and red lettering.”

  There was a noise of chairs being pushed back and the sound of chatter as people collected their things and headed for the stairs. Felicity made her way over to her mum. Derek studied them. Pam looked upset and Felicity was patting her arm. It didn’t look like a good time to talk to either of them.

  Derek made his way out of the café and on to the pavement. He wondered where he should go. He jumped as someone said, “Hey there, handsome. Fancy some company?”

  Derek beamed. “Pearl! Where have you been?”

  Pearl frowned as she looked at him. “Never mind that. Are you okay? You look a bit peaky.”

  He shrugged. “Oh, you know. It’s nothing.”

  “It is something. Did you used to come here with your family? Are you feeling sad?”

  Derek’s eyes prickled and he nodded.

  Pearl linked her arm through his. A warmth flowed through Derek and he immediately felt better. Pearl said, “Let’s find somewhere quiet to talk.”

  “Good idea. I can tell you what I’ve found out so far about Beryl.”

  Pearl squeezed his arm. “That can wait. I want you to tell me all about your trips here with your lovely family. There’s no point keeping feelings locked up, you’ll only make yourself ill.”

  They walked along the front until they found a bench in a secluded area. They sat down and Derek told Pearl about his previous trips to Whitby. Pearl was a good listener and it wasn’t long before Derek remembered his family with joy rather than sadness.

  Pearl’s eyes twinkled. “The last time I came to Whitby I got a job as a stripper
. It was blooming freezing in that nightclub but I had to do my job.”

  Derek’s eyes widened. “No! A stripper? No!” He looked at her closely. “You’re having me on! Please say you’re having me on.”

  Pearl let out a cackle of a laugh. “Of course I’m having you on! No one gets to see my bits and pieces!” She laughed again as she caught his expression. She wagged a finger at him. “Derek Quill, I do believe you’re imagining seeing my bits and pieces!”

  Derek’s cheeks heated up. “I am doing no such thing.” He looked at Pearl and burst into laughter. “Oh, you are a tonic. I love having you around.”

  “I know, I’m amazing. Just like you. Right, tell me all about Beryl’s enemies.”

  Derek told her what Theresa and Felicity had said.

  Pearl said, “So, Felicity could have pushed Beryl down the steps because of how she treated her mum. And Pam could have pushed her because she wanted the interfering old witch out of her daughter’s life.”

  Derek looked around. “Speaking of Beryl, where is she?”

  Pearl waved a hand dismissively. “She’ll turn up when she’s ready. I told her she’s no use to us if she’s in an angry state all the time. Why did Beryl go up those steps? Did someone force her to? And why had she been drinking? Had someone forced her to do that too?”

  “Perhaps someone forced drink on her and then asked her to go for a walk up those steps. In her drunken state she might have easily agreed to do that.”

  “Yes. People are stupid when they’ve had a drink or two. Why would someone want to kill her? Someone could have hated her and wanted rid of her. Or it could be that she found out something about someone and they wanted to shut her up.” Pearl tapped his knee. “You’ve seen these old folk on this trip. They’ve been around for a while. They could have more than one skeleton hidden in their wardrobes.”