by Rachel Ward
‘Ugh. Don’t. Anyway, there was a bit of a hoo-hah at the vet’s. Simon, the one who was supplying meds to Eddie, has done a runner. He was meant to be on duty today – he’s left them high and dry.’
‘Can vets get struck off?’
‘I don’t know,’ said Bea. ‘Wouldn’t be surprised. He’ll get arrested anyway if the police catch up with him. Tom reckoned it took two people to tip that poor lad off the bypass bridge. Could well have been Simon. Any word on Tank?’
‘Oh yeah, I was going to say. I heard from Saggy, who heard from his brother, who heard from Tank’s cousin, that Tank’s out of danger. They’re still talking about life-changing injuries, whatever that means.’
Bea pulled a face. ‘Sounds pretty grim to me.’
‘Yeah.’ Ant dropped the remains of his cigarette on the path and ground it out beneath his trainer.
‘You did a good thing there, Ant. Looking after him until the ambulance came. You’re ace at that First Aid stuff, really ace.’
‘I like it. I seem to know what to do. It’s cool.’
‘Maybe you could do some more training,’ said Bea.
‘I don’t think Costsave would stretch to any more.’
‘No, I meant proper training. Whatever you have to do to be a paramedic.’
‘Jeez, Bea. I’m way too thick for that. Don’t you remember?’
‘Ant, you’re not thick. You just haven’t learnt to read yet. Once you do, it’ll all open up for you. Trust me.’
‘Like you, on the checkouts at Costsave.’
‘Ouch.’ She sent him a reproachful look.
‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘It’s just a big jump from here to there. Where I am now to becoming a paramedic.’
‘So? Someone told me you jumped from the school library window to the roof of the science block, back in the day.’
He grinned. ‘Oh yeah. I did do that.’
‘Took some balls, I should think. This is the same, only different. And you’ll need to start at the beginning. There are adult literacy classes at the library.’
‘Yeah?’
‘Yeah. Think about it.’
‘I will.’
As they’d been talking, they had watched Goldie delicately bobbing down and anointing the border. Now she padded back towards the house and Ant and Bea followed.
‘I’ve got to go, Bea,’ said Ant. ‘I’ve got a date. You going to give Jay a call?’
‘Not today. I’ve got a date with a guy with dark brooding looks and a fancy horse.’ Ant’s eyebrows approached his hairline. ‘I’m going to get my PJs on, curl up with a dog at my feet and watch Poldark with Queenie.’
‘Ha! I’ll get off, then.’
Bea watched from the kitchen doorway as he walked along the back path towards the side of the house.
‘Ant!’ she called, before he disappeared.
He stopped and looked back. ‘Yeah?’
‘I’m glad you’re not going,’ said Bea.
‘Are you?’
‘Yeah. ’Cos if we’d lost touch, how would I have been able to find you when I turned thirty?’
A slow grin spread across his face. ‘Yeah, man,’ he said. ‘Ten years’ time, you and me, Bea. You and me.’
Acknowledgements
I’d like to thank everyone at Sandstone Press, especially Kay, my editor, for her insight and good sense, and Bob, Moira, Ceris and Sue. Thank you also to Keara and Taran who worked on The Cost of Living. I’m also very grateful to David Wardle, who designed the beautiful cover for this and the previous book, and, of course, to my brilliant agent Kirsty McLachlan, for believing in Ant and Bea (and me).
As ever, I’m indebted to my family for supporting me, reassuring me and taking the mickey when necessary – Ali and Pete, and, most of all, Ozzy, who demonstrates every day that keeping going is a sort of heroism.
Have you read the first in the series?
After a young woman is brutally attacked on her way home from the local supermarket, checkout girl Bea and trainee Ant are determined to find out who’s responsible. Customers and colleagues become suspects, secrets are uncovered, and while fear stalks the town, Bea risks losing the people she loves most.
AVAILABLE NOW IN THE KINDLE STORE
Praise for The Cost of Living
Book 1 In The Ant & Bea Mysteries
‘Bea and Ant are a delightful crime-solving duo and I’ll very happily join them again for another clean-up in a Costsave aisle.’
Crime Review
‘Unlikely friendships and quirky wit make this the most warm-hearted of crime debuts.’
Lucy Diamond
‘Ant and Bea are fabulous creations and I really felt part of the Costsave community by the end. I can’t wait to see what they get up to next!’
Sophia Bennett
‘Heart-warming, intriguing and character-led, this is just the right kind of crime book to curl up with in front of the fire.’
Philip Ardagh
‘I absolutely loved the cost of living. Crime just where you least expect it, and one of my favourite ensemble casts.’
K.J. Whittaker
‘Rachel Ward provides warm characterisations, convincing dialogue, deliciously awkward romantic liaisons, a wicked wit to make you giggle and a plot to keep you guessing all the way to the check-out. It’s a treat!’
Bradford on Avon Mini Book Festival
‘This odd, appealing pair prove a formidable match for the surprising killer. Readers will look forward to their next outing.’
Publishers Weekly
