Gail’s glance darted to Howard and then back to Derek. She looked as if she was weighing the situation up. Howard just looked puzzled.
Pam said, “You two killed Beryl? Why?”
Gail took a few steps away from Howard. “It wasn’t my idea. It was his!” She pointed a finger at him. “Beryl found out about our affair and she threatened to tell Marilyn. He was furious! He spiked her drink. And he forced her up here! And it was him who pushed her! I pleaded with him to have mercy on Beryl but he wouldn’t listen.” Her hands flew to cover her face and she burst into dramatic sobs.
Howard took a step closer. “Gail? What are you saying? I don’t understand.”
A sadness settled in Derek’s heart. He looked at all the confused faces in front of him. Something dawned on him. “Gail, did you ever love Howard?”
Gail moved her hands and stared at Derek. He noticed her lack of tears. “What?”
“I asked if you ever loved him.”
“Of course she did! She still does, don’t you, Gail?” Howard pleaded.
Gail shrugged. “I’m fond of you.”
Derek said, “Are you having an affair to get back at Marilyn? You’ve got rival coach companies, you must be in competition with each other.”
Gail couldn’t hide the smile that was spreading across her face. “If she knew about me and Howard … that would teach her to steal my business!”
“Gail? What are you saying?” Howard asked.
Pearl spoke at Derek’s side, “He really is stupid.”
Gail let out a bitter laugh. “I’m only with you to get one over on Marilyn. I can bear to have your grubby hands on me a few times a year for the satisfaction I get from deceiving her. I wasn’t going to let that busybody, Beryl, ruin that feeling for me.”
“So, Gail, it was your idea to kill Beryl,” Derek said.
“It was!” Howard shot out. “It was all her idea! And she wanted me to get rid of Pam too.”
“Oh shut up! You’re such a fool,” Gail told him.
Derek had had enough. “I’m phoning the police. They can sort your lies out. Felicity, you can tell the police exactly what you saw last year.”
Gail made a dart forward. Derek stuck his leg out. She tripped and crashed to the ground. Felicity ran over and sat on top of her. “You’re not going anywhere!”
Howard sank to the ground and put his head in his hands. “I can’t believe that she never loved me. I feel so used.”
Beryl walked over to him and wagged her finger. “And I feel so dead! Thanks to you!”
Pam came to Derek’s side. “I can’t believe it. Beryl was murdered! How have you got yourself involved in all this? Did you really record them at the pub?”
Derek put his finger to his lips and winked at her. He felt a warmth at his side as Pearl moved closer. “My hero,” she crooned to him.
Chapter 14
It was a long time later that Derek arrived home. Marilyn was unable to provide another coach driver at such short notice. Derek felt a great deal of sympathy for her. To be told that her husband was having an affair with a rival was one thing, but to be told he was a murderer was something else. And then to have one of her coaches stranded in Whitby without a driver was something else altogether.
Derek felt like he should do more to help out. He wanted to explain things to Marilyn. He wanted to make sure that Pam and Felicity were alright. He wanted to make sure that everyone on the trip got home okay.
Pearl told him to stop worrying. He’d done enough for one day.
It was nearly midnight by the time he let himself into his little house. Pearl was at his side. And so was Beryl.
Derek took Pearl to one side in the kitchen and whispered, “What’s she still doing here? Why isn’t she moving on?”
“I’ve no idea. I wish she’d bugger off.”
Beryl said, “I can hear you. I am ready to move on but there’s something I have to say first.”
Pearl and Derek turned her way.
Beryl waved a finger between them both. “This thing you’ve got going on. It isn’t right. It’s not healthy.”
“You’ve already told us that,” Pearl said in a flat tone. “Was there something else you wanted to say before you go?”
“Pearl, this isn’t fair on Derek. He’s still alive. He could meet someone new. Someone who’s actually alive. He’s a nice chap, he deserves to meet someone. You’re stopping him. I think you’re being very selfish. Don’t you?”
Derek spoke, “With all respect, Beryl, it’s none of your business.”
Pearl sighed and looked at Derek. “I think she’s right. I’m spending too much time with you. You need to get out and mix with the living. I should leave you alone.”
Beryl gave them a satisfied look. “It’s the right thing to do. I always know best.”
Pearl patted Derek on the arm. “It’s been great working with you, Derek. Have a good life. Meet somebody new. Get out more. Come on, Beryl, I’ll make sure you pass over to the other side safely.” She moved forward and took hold of Beryl’s sleeve.
Beryl gave her a smug look and then nodded a farewell at Derek. The ghosts turned away and walked towards the kitchen wall. They disappeared.
Derek stared at the wall. He was unable to move. His heart suddenly felt as if it was made of lead. It sank slowly in his chest. He gulped and called out, “Pearl? Are you there? Pearl?” He waited hopefully. Pearl didn’t appear.
He called out a few more times. Still no Pearl.
Derek’s hands flew to his face and he began to cry. Sadness overwhelmed him. Pearl had gone! And so suddenly! What was he going to do without her? He wailed into his hands, “Pearl, come back!”
“You silly sod! I’m not going anywhere! Derek, love, I’m here.”
Derek moved his hands away from his face. Pearl was standing right in front of him. “Pearl? Is that you?”
“Of course it’s me. I only said those things to get rid of Beryl. She’s gone now. Hey! Why the tears?”
Derek took his handkerchief out and wiped his eyes. “I thought you’d left me.”
Pearl chuckled and slipped her arm through his. “Derek Quill, I’m never going to leave you. If that’s what you want?”
“I do.” Derek began to cry again. “I want you in my life. You’re more alive than anyone I know. If that makes sense!”
She gave him a gentle smile. “If you’re not too tired, stick the radio on and we’ll have a little dance.”
“My pleasure.” Derek reached for the radio and then held his arms out for his lovely Pearl.
Left To Die
Chapter 1
“Hiya! Are you Mr Quill? Like the pen? I’ve never used a quill pen but I’ve seen photos of them. Have you ever used a quill, Mr Quill?”
Derek Quill looked at the young ghost who had suddenly appeared next to him in his potting shed. The ghost was of a young man wearing a familiar-looking red and yellow uniform. The man’s eyes were round as he took in the potting shed. His beaming smile almost split his face in two.
Derek smiled and said, “Yes, I’m Mr Quill. You can call me Derek.”
The young man nodded. “Derek. I like that name. I’ve never met a Derek before. What are you doing in here?”
Derek held a pot up. “I’m planting some spring bulbs. I thought they would look good on my porch in the spring.”
The young man frowned. “Bulbs? Like light bulbs? I didn’t know you could plant them.”
Derek chuckled and beckoned the man closer. “These are the bulbs. They look a bit like onions. These are daffodil bulbs.”
The man’s mouth dropped open. “Is there a daffodil inside there? Really? That’s magic.”
Derek chuckled again. “I suppose it is magic. Are you here on your own?”
The man looked around him. He frowned. “That lady was with me. Mrs Pearl. Where did she go?”
Pearl appeared in front of Derek. She gave him a warm smile and then turned to the young man. “Kevin, I tol
d you to wait for me. I wanted to introduce you to Derek.” She moved closer to Kevin and added gently, “I hope you didn’t give Derek a shock.”
Kevin’s smile dropped. “I don’t think I did. Mr Derek, did I give you a shock? I’m sorry.” His eyes glistened.
“No, lad. You didn’t give me a shock. Are you here to ask for help? Why don’t you tell me all about yourself?” Derek caught the pained look on Pearl’s face but didn’t say anything.
The smile returned to Kevin’s face. He thrust his hand out and declared, “I’m Kevin Shepherd. That’s just my name, I’m not actually a shepherd.” He grinned.
Derek shook his hand. It felt like his hand was passing through cold air. “I’m very pleased to meet you, Kevin Shepherd. Where do you work? I think I’ve seen that uniform before.”
“I worked at Holland’s. It’s a supermarket.” Kevin put a hand to the side of his mouth and said to Pearl, “Does Mr Derek know I’m dead? Does he know I’m a ghost?”
Pearl nodded. “He does, love. Derek is going to help us. He’s helped other ghosts before. He’s a lovely man.”
Kevin took his hand away from his mouth. “I know. I can see he’s got a kind face. Is Mr Derek your friend, Mrs Pearl?”
Pearl nodded again. “Yes. I think he’s my best friend. Kevin, just call us Derek and Pearl.”
Kevin grinned. “I’ll try to.” He pointed to a pot. “Pearl, did you know there’s a daffodil in that bulb? Isn’t that funny?”
“Kevin, why don’t you have a look around Derek’s garden. I want to have a chat with Derek. Is that alright?”
Kevin gave her a happy nod and jogged towards the open door. “I won’t be long, Derek. I’m having a look around your garden. See ya!”
Once they were alone, Pearl turned pain-filled eyes towards Derek. Derek moved closer to her and said, “Pearl, what is it? What’s going on with Kevin?”
Pearl shook her head slowly. “Sometimes this job gets too much for me. I don’t mind helping ghosts find out who murdered them. I don’t always like the ghosts, but I always help them. You’ve met some of them, I think you’ll agree some of them have been real pains in the rear end!”
Derek recalled the ghosts that he’d helped, with Pearl’s assistance. “I suppose I was glad to see them find peace and cross over.”
Pearl indicated her head towards the potting shed window. They could see Kevin skipping around the garden, a huge smile on his face. Pearl sighed and said, “It breaks my heart when someone so pure in spirit dies so young. He’s only twenty-four. You’ve probably already worked out that he’s a bit simple in the head. I think that’s the polite way to put it. But, Derek, I can see his spirit. He’s so full of love. Why would anyone want to hurt him? Why would anyone want to extinguish such a lovely life?”
Derek felt his own heart grow heavy at the sadness on Pearl’s face. “Life is full of tragedy. Pearl, we can help Kevin move on. We can help him find peace.” He paused and swallowed his own sadness. “I think some people are meant to die young.” His eyes began to sting and he turned his attention to his potting table. He felt a warmth on his back. Pearl must be touching him. She was the only ghost who felt warm when she touched him.
Pearl said softly, “You’re thinking about your Abbie, aren’t you? Eighteen is far too young to die.”
Derek tore his thoughts away from his late daughter. He put a bright smile on his face and said, “Right. Let’s do what we can to help Kevin. How did he die?”
Kevin chose that moment to run into the shed. He put his hand up and yelled, “Let me tell him! Please!”
Pearl laughed. “Go ahead.”
Kevin put his hand down. His brow furrowed as he thought about something. “The forklift truck on the left, not the right. They told me to drive it. They said I was being helpful.” He smiled and thought some more. “I’d never driven it before but they said it would be easy.” His smile died and he shook his head. “It wasn’t easy. I couldn’t stop it! I went forward … and forward …” He suddenly raised his hands and stared at something that Derek couldn’t see. Kevin screamed, “Stop! I can’t stop! Help! Someone help me!” He abruptly disappeared.
Chapter 2
He returned a moment later, crouched in the corner of the potting shed. His hands were covering his face and he was whimpering.
Pearl ran to his side, put her arms around him and made soothing noises. After a while, Kevin’s whimpering stopped. Pearl helped him to his feet and wiped away his ghost tears.
Derek moved closer to the two ghosts. “Kevin, are you okay? Can I do anything?”
Kevin gave him a small shake of his head. A smile began to grow on his face. “I think I’m alright now, Derek Quill. It was a bit scary but I’m alright now. Have you got any other bulbs? Have you got bulbs with roses in them? I love roses.”
Pearl said, “I think Derek could do with a cup of tea. Why don’t we go inside and have a sit down? Derek could have a look on his computer. He could find out more about you.”
Kevin gave Derek an eager look. “I love computers! I’ve got one at home. We can go on the maps on the Internet. I can show you where I worked.”
Derek put his potting things to one side and then took the ghosts into his small house. Pearl insisted that he make himself a strong cup of tea. “You look as if you need one, Derek, love.”
Derek filled the kettle. Kevin came to his side. “I like your kitchen, Derek. I like that kettle. My mum’s got one like that. I hope she isn’t missing me too much. She’s got Dad to keep her company. And the cat. Have you got a cat, Derek?”
“I haven’t, lad. Why don’t you go into the living room and have a look around. I won’t be long.”
“I will do!” Kevin lifted off the ground and grinned. “Look, Derek, I can fly! I’ve always wanted to fly!” He flapped his arms and flew out of the kitchen.
Derek laughed. “What a lovely chap he is, so happy.”
Pearl folded her arms. “I know. It makes our case more difficult. I don’t want to ask Kevin too many questions about his death. You saw what happened to him in the shed. Let’s see what you can find out about him on the Internet.”
“Will do. Pearl, are you okay? I can deal with this case on my own, if you like.”
“I’ll be alright.” Her eyes twinkled slightly. “I do like it when you’re concerned about me. It makes me feel warm in places that I haven’t felt warm in for years.” She burst out laughing at Derek’s shocked expression. “I meant my heart! What on earth did you think I meant, Derek Quill?”
Derek turned his red cheeks away from Pearl. He quickly made his cup of tea and took it into the living room. He ducked as Kevin flew past his head. He took a seat on the sofa and placed his cup on a side table.
Pearl clapped her hands. “Kevin! Come down now. You nearly flew right through Derek then.” Pearl took a seat next to Derek.
Kevin flapped his arms once more. He settled down on the carpet with his legs crossed. He looked up at Derek. “Do you want to know more about me, Derek? I worked at Holland’s supermarket. I don’t work there anymore because I’m dead. I did everything there! I did cleaning. And stocking the shelves. And helping the customers. The customer is always right. I loved it. The people who work there are great.” He frowned. “I didn’t work on the till. I wasn’t very good at that. Mr Collier, he’s the manager, told me I wasn’t cut out for the till. I like Mr Collier. He’s a great manager.”
Derek asked, “How long did you work there?”
“Since school, since I was sixteen. I wasn’t good enough to do more exams at college or university. It hurt my head to think about exams. I went to work at the supermarket. It’s great there. I collect the shopping trolleys and put them in a line. I help customers find things on the shelves. I’m good at that. I know where everything is.”
“You mentioned the forklift truck. Did you drive that?” Pearl asked him.
Kevin gave them a little grin and lowered his voice, “I wasn’t supposed to! I didn’t kno
w how to drive it but they said I could have a go. They needed help. It’s the truck on the left, not on the right.”
“Who told you to drive it?” Derek said.
Kevin pressed his lips together and looked around the room. When his attention came back to Derek he shrugged and said, “I can’t remember. Do I need to remember?”
Pearl moved forward and patted his hand. “Remember what you can, love. If a memory hurts make it stop. If you can’t make it stop, then tell me. I’ll make it stop.”
Kevin nodded. “I like you, Pearl. You’re great. And I like you too, Derek.”
Derek smiled. “I like you too. Did you have friends at the supermarket? Did you ever argue with anyone?”
Kevin laughed. “I had lots and lots of friends at the supermarket! I never fell out with them. Do you have cartoons on your telly, Derek? I love cartoons.”
Pearl turned to Derek. “I think it’s time we looked online. I don’t want to push Kevin too much.”
Derek switched his TV on and found a cartoon channel for Kevin. Kevin sat inches away from it and was soon absorbed in the antics of Tom and Jerry. His laughter was carefree and innocent.
Derek reached for his laptop and was soon tapping away. He could feel the warmth of Pearl at his side. She didn’t normally sit so close. Perhaps Kevin’s case was upsetting her more than she was letting on. He hadn’t known Pearl long and she didn’t speak about her past life much. He didn’t know how long she’d been a ghost, or how long she’d been helping other ghosts.
He found the information he was looking for. In a quiet voice he said to Pearl, “Look, he died four months ago. He was involved in a tragic accident at work.”
Pearl tutted. “These murders are always tragic accidents. Can you tell me what the rest of it says, Derek, love? My eyes are feeling a bit tired today.”
Derek gave her a sideways look. Her eyes were shining with unshed tears. He’d have to keep a close eye on her. He read the article online. “It says here that Kevin was driving a forklift truck in the warehouse building at the back of Holland’s supermarket. The truck had defective brakes and it didn’t stop as Kevin approached a stack of pallets. The pallets fell on to him and killed him. There’s a quote from the manager, Mr Collier, that says he didn’t know why Kevin was driving that truck as he hadn’t been trained to do so.”
Pearl And Derek Mysteries - Box Set 1 Page 19
