An Alibi A Day

by A. R. Winters

  When they had arrived, there was a small red ring on their table which had been left behind by a glass ketchup bottle. She had managed to borrow a bottle of cleaning spray and a roll of kitchen towels, but once she had wiped their table, none of the others matched.

  She couldn’t have one immaculately clean table and all the rest dirty. That just didn’t look right.

  So, there’d been no choice. She had to clean them all.

  “I’m nearly done,” said Allie as she finished off another table, making sure to go right to the edges.

  With a ting-a-ling, the glass-panel front door of the café swung open and a middle-aged couple hesitantly made their way inside.

  The couple had the air of tourists about them. You could always tell. When they entered the café, they looked around wide-eyed, and in their hands, they clutched a map and a guidebook.

  “Lovely day, isn’t it?” said the lady.

  “It sure is,” said Allie with a polite smile to them.

  “Should we just sit anywhere?” asked the male tourist.

  “No.” Allie scanned the café quickly. Jackie and Grandma Em were seated in the front left corner table. “I think it would be best if you sat here.” Allie pointed to the front right table.

  “Very good. It’s nice to have a window view.”

  “It is, isn’t it?” said the lady, who was most likely the wife of the gentleman. She smiled at Allie. “Are there any specials on the menu today?”

  “The special today is bangers and mash,” said Allie as she walked with them to the table she had indicated. They seemed very nice. It was quite strange that they were asking her about the specials though.

  “Is that so? Well, then, I’ll take an order of that,” said the man with a pleased smile on his face.

  “I haven’t had sausages in ages,” said his other half. “I shouldn’t,” she added with a naughty smile. “But I will. Sausages and mash for me too.”

  Allie stared at them. Oh no. She had done it again.

  “Hello!” It was Bree herself, the owner of the café, come to the rescue. She gently took Allie by the elbow.

  “I’ll be with you in a minute,” said Bree to the couple.

  She walked Allie over to where Jackie and Grandma Em were waiting.

  “I’ll take those, thank you,” said Bree with a smile as she reclaimed the roll of kitchen towels and the bottle of spray from Allie’s hands.

  She raised her eyebrows at Allie and gave her a knowing look.

  Allie had been warned in the past about cleaning up or messing with the customers’ tables. She wasn’t supposed to do that. But since she was only helping, she often ignored Bree’s requests.

  Allie sat down next to Jackie, who sat across from Grandma Em.

  Jackie and Allie often went to visit Em in the countryside, especially during holidays and long weekends. It was nice to get out of London, and they both loved the scenery of the Cotswolds. Grandma Em lived there and had all her life. These days, she was living with her daughter, Aunt Kay, and her family.

  “Bree should pay you, dear,” said Em, giving Allie an encouraging smile.

  “I don’t need paying. I just like seeing everything done properly.”

  “You know, it’s not usual for customers to clean the tables,” said Jackie, giving Allie’s arm a sisterly squeeze.

  “Never mind all that. Is your room okay?”

  Allie and Jackie were staying upstairs in the B&B located above the café. It was managed by a pleasant lady called Michelle, and since Jackie and Allie were regular customers, she always treated them with extra care and attention.

  “Oh, yes. It didn’t take me long to get the room ready at all this time,” said Allie with a grin.

  This was true, by her standards.

  She’d only spent half an hour after arriving getting the room into shape. The first thing that Allie had unpacked was her battery-powered stick vacuum cleaner. Although the room had been in a fairly good state, Michelle had neglected to clean the top of the window frame, and there was a small piece of fluff on the top shelf of the wardrobe. Allie had only managed to find the fluff herself after standing on a chair and reaching right into the very back of the cupboard.

  “One day you’ll have to come stay with us at the house,” said Grandma Em.

  “Oh, we wouldn’t want to cramp you,” said Jackie quickly. She knew that Allie would never agree to stay there. The problem with a proper house with multiple bedrooms, two floors, and a variety of rooms, was that it was next to impossible to keep it up to Allie’s standards. If they ever did stay with Grandma Em and Aunt Kay, Allie wouldn’t have time to do anything apart from clean.

  “Here you go, dears,” said Bree as she arrived back at their table balancing three different plates.

  Ham, egg, and chips for Grandma Em, sausages and mash for Allie, and a garden salad with an extra hard-boiled egg for Jackie. She put the plates down in front of each of them.

  “It’s nice to see you again, girls,” said Bree with a smile. When she had taken their order, she hadn’t had time to stop and chat as there had been something on the stove in the kitchen.

  “It’s great to be back,” said Jackie. “There’s something about the air here, it just makes me feel so much more energetic.”

  Allie wondered if that was true, and if so, how it was possible. Jackie was already the most energetic person she knew, and she couldn’t really perceive any difference when they were out here in the countryside. It was still nonstop, all day every day, go go go for Jackie.

  “Is it the air here? Or is it just that the air in London is so bad?” asked Grandma Em with a frown. “I don’t think it’s healthy staying in those big cities.”

  “I agree.” Jackie tapped the table with the handle of her fork. “On the worst days, I have to wear a mask when I go for my morning run.”

  “And when we leave the windows open, it just fills our apartment up with dust,” offered Allie.

  This was a slight exaggeration. Their flat had never been filled with dust in any meaningful sense of the term. But nonetheless, the air in London did occasionally leave an extra layer of grime behind.

  “It must be nice living out here without any worries,” said Jackie wistfully.

  Grandma Em was already shaking her head. “No worries? Worries will follow you wherever you go, dear.”

  “You’re not wrong,” said Bree with a sigh.

  “Why?” Allie asked pointedly. “What are you worried about, Bree?”

  Jackie and Grandma Em both gave Jackie a look.

  She ignored it. She was used to those looks. She didn’t understand why other people beat around the bush instead of just asking the questions they wanted to ask. If someone dropped a hint about ‘worries’, they obviously wanted to talk about their worries, or they wouldn’t have mentioned it, would they?

  “It’s probably nothing.” Bree bent over the table and lowered her voice. “But I’m worried I might get kicked out.”

  This made Grandma Em look up with a start. “Why? What happened?”

  “Oh, I’m probably just being silly. But our landlord, Larry, he’s selling the whole building. When the new owner comes in, they’ll want to raise the rent. And I won’t be able to afford that.”

  “I’ve known Larry since he was wee,” said Grandma Em indignantly. “We went to school together. Why is he selling? He shouldn’t sell. Or if he does, he should make sure the new owner doesn’t raise the rent.”

  “He wouldn’t have any control once he sold,” said Jackie.

  Allie said, “How much is your rent?”

  Jackie winced again at Allie’s overly direct question. It didn’t seem to faze Bree though.

  “I’m only paying six hundred and fifty a month,” said Bree, pausing and biting her lower lip. “And then for the B&B, I don’t think their rent is much more than a thousand.”

  Allie looked at Jackie. Jackie looked at Allie.

  Coming from London, those rents were ridic
ulous. No doubt they were just as ridiculous here too.

  There was no way a new landlord wouldn’t raise rates. Unless he hated money—which was not exactly common among people with property portfolios.

  “Don’t worry,” said Jackie with what appeared to be a forced smile. “Things always work themselves out.”

  Allie said, “No, they—”

  “This place is so popular,” Jackie said loudly over Allie to interrupt her truthful response. “And the B&B has excellent ratings online. I’m sure the landlord wouldn’t want to mess any of that up.”

  “He would leave… Ow!” Allie reached down to rub her shin where Jackie had just kicked her with the heel of her running shoe. At least she always wears soft-soled shoes, thought Allie.

  “I just hope it does. I don’t know what I would do without this place.” Bree looked around. “I better go. That couple will probably want to order.”

  “Oh, they already did. Two bangers and mash.”

  Bree gave a small frown but quickly turned it into a smile before hurrying away.

  “I forgot to ask what they wanted to drink,” said Allie, biting her lip in annoyance.

  Fifteen minutes later, the bell above the door went ting-a-ling again as another customer entered. All three of them turned to look.

  A suave gentleman in country clothes—tweed and a waxed jacket and walking shoes—had entered and was scanning the place. He, too, was clearly another tourist even though he wasn’t carrying a guidebook. There was a faint air of uncertainty on his expression.

  “He looks like he needs help,” said Grandma Em, standing up and giving a wicked grin.

  “Make sure he sits in the back left corner,” said Allie, pointing.

  Grandma Em nodded at her. She looked pleased with the prospect of getting to direct the tourist to his seat.

  “It’s encouraging, isn’t it?” Jackie asked.

  “What is?”

  Allie hated indirect questions.

  Those kinds of questions always appeared to come out of nowhere with no context to the material. Unfortunately, a lot of people—pretty much everyone—tended to speak like that. Allie found it either confusing or annoying depending on the exact circumstances.

  “You know...”

  Allie interrupted her again. “No, I don’t.”

  “That even at her age, she can still spot a handsome man at a hundred paces.”

  “Why is that encouraging?”

  Jackie stretched her arms high above her head, linked her fingers together, and arched back over her chair in a stretch before coming down again. “You know, that even when we get older, we’ll still have it.”

  Allie looked over at Grandma Em. She had her arm linked with the man, leading him over to the table that Allie had indicated.

  “I’m not sure I have it now,” said Allie mournfully.

  Jackie gave her a gentle punch on the arm and giggled. “I’ve seen you looking before, missy.”

  “I’m sure you have. That’s what eyes are for. Now, I was just thinking about something.”

  “I don’t think Bree will like it if you try and rearrange the tables again.”

  “Not that. Though I do have a new seating plan that I want to sketch out later. No, I was thinking about what Bree said. And, you know, the mistake.”

  “It definitely wasn’t a mistake. And what is it that you were thinking? You don’t mean…?”

  “If they are going to force us to take the money.”

  “You make it sound like a punishment.”

  “Well, it’s given us something else to worry about, hasn’t it?”

  “You worry too much. So, do you really think you can buy this place?”

  “We could buy this place,” said Allie forcefully. She hadn’t earned the money, and if it was actually the windfall that it appeared to be, there was no way she wasn’t sharing it exactly fifty-fifty with her best friend and sister. “We come down often enough as it is. And with our jobs, we could even pop over during the week, if we had to.”

  This was true. Jackie worked as a personal trainer, and she could reschedule her training sessions with clients if she had to.

  Allie worked in a call centre that was open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and allowed its employees to work on a flexi-time basis.

  Working in the call centre was a great job, in Allie’s opinion. They gave her a script to follow, and she never wavered even a stuttered half a word from it. Though unfortunately, sometimes the customers did.

  “If you do buy it, it’ll be yours. That money was given to you, and it’s in your bank account.

  “No way,” said Allie with a shake of her head. “I didn’t earn it. It’s just luck. After all you and your family have done with me, there’s no way I wouldn’t share it with you. Saving my life has got to be worth more than three hundred and seventy-five thousand pounds. I should probably give it all to you.”

  “No, don’t be silly. I don’t deserve any of it. But if you do buy this place, or somewhere else, I’ll help you out. How does that sound?”

  “Okay.”

  Allie didn’t add that she would make sure Jackie’s name was on any deeds that they signed as well.

  She knew Jackie would argue about it if she said so, and she didn’t see the point in arguing. She didn’t need Jackie’s permission to gift her half of the money.

  Grandma Em returned then and sat down in front of the remains of her cold chips, colder ham, and congealed egg, looking extremely satisfied.

  “Interesting conversation?” Jackie gave her grandmother a sly wink which went completely above Allie’s head.

  “Very pleasant. Mr Winchester is a very congenial man.”

  “Mr Winchester?”

  “Yes. That’s his name, and he’s here on a walking holiday. Walking and watercolours. He’s a painter too.”

  “At the same time?” Allie asked.

  Jackie and Grandma Em both giggled.

  Allie frowned. She hadn’t asked in jest.

  But mostly, she’d been thinking about Larry the landlord and what they were going to say to him. She’d never made a business offer before.

  Chapter 2

  Allie and Jackie stood outside of Larry’s cottage.

  It was a one-storey bungalow, the outside of which was almost completely covered with ivy.

  The trailing dark-leafed plant had grown up and around the doors and window frames and was now encroaching onto the actual glass of the windows themselves. At the top of the brickwork, it seemed as if the ivy was planning an assault on the roof, perhaps the beginnings of an audacious plan to envelop the entire building.

  The front garden was overgrown with weeds, and the bushes and shrubs which had been deliberately planted in years past were well overgrown.

  “He hasn’t pruned his bushes in years,” said Allie as she ducked under an overhanging branch.

  “Doesn’t much look like the home of a wealthy landlord, does it?”

  Jackie twisted herself around the branch of a bramble bush that was happily growing in the middle of the driveway. Allie followed suit, and after another half-dozen careful steps, they reached the front door.

  The creamy-white paint was mostly grey and peeling off in large chunks, several of which lay at their feet.

  “What if he says no?” Allie’s hand hovered over the doorbell, a last-minute flash of doubt coming over her.

  “He won’t say no. He can’t say no. Why would he say no?”

  “Why do people do anything? Most of the time, I’m not sure.”

  “Don’t worry. We’re irresistible.” Jackie flicked her head back, sending her ponytail swishing around her shoulders, and kissed the air.

  “What are you doing?” Allie gave Jackie a suspicious look.

  “Just practising. We’re going to wow him.”

  “It looks more like you’re trying to woo him.”

  “Whatever. Now ring that bell. Let’s buy ourselves a café and B&B.”

 
Allie frowned at the doorbell. It was covered in what must’ve been years of grime.

  She lowered her hand, pulled out a tissue from inside her bag, and used it to press the button, holding it down for several seconds. There was an exceedingly loud buzzing sound from inside, which made them both start. It was clearly a doorbell designed for the hard of hearing.

  From inside came sounds of shuffling, rattling, thumping, and then finally clunking as a bolt was withdrawn. The door opened about four inches but no further, the security chain clinking as it reached its limit.

  A scraggly face briefly peered through the crack.

  “Not interested.”

  The door slammed with a loud thud.

  The two girls looked at each other. Jackie shrugged and then raised her own hand towards the doorbell. Allie quickly swatted it away and, using the tissue she still held, pressed the buzzer for a second time.

  The door flew open again almost immediately. “I said I wasn’t interested.”

  “You don’t know why we’re here,” said Jackie through the small opening.

  “I don’t care why you’re here.” This time, the door didn’t slam immediately. His head pressed up against the opening, and he appeared to examine the two women. Unfortunately, he was mostly hidden by the door, so neither Allie nor Jackie could get a good look at him.

  “Don’t worry. We’re not selling anything,” said Jackie.

  “What are you? Jesus freaks? Burglars?”

  Jackie laughed endearingly.

  Allie didn’t. She didn’t think what he had said was funny at all. Accusing a person of being a criminal was no laughing manner.

  “We’re here because we heard that you’re selling some property that you own in the village. The building with Bree’s Cafe and the B&B above it?”

  “So what if I am? That’s none of your beeswax.”

  Allie frowned. Beeswax? What was he talking about?

  “We were wondering,” said Jackie, fluttering her eyelashes, “if it was still on the market? Have you accepted a final offer?”

  “Why?” His tone was hard, sharp, and suspicious.

  Why was an easy question, so Allie decided to assist in the negotiations. “We want to buy it. We have 750,000 pounds.”