I inhaled deeply and said, “It smells like freshly washed sheets. It’s lovely. Thank you.”
Stanley piped up, “Can I have a spray too?”
Gilda smiled at him and knelt at his side. She gave him a quick squirt and then tickled him behind his ears. She said to him, “I’ll get you something to eat and drink. Something lighter today, Stanley? I sense your stomach has been upset by something recently.”
Stanley shuddered. “A half-naked goblin. I’m trying to erase the memory.”
Gilda straightened up and put her hand softly on my shoulder. She had a wonderful gift of knowing exactly what you needed to eat and drink. It saved a lot of time on behalf of the customer.
She took her hand back and gave me a nod. “Simple food for you today. You’ve got a lot going through your mind and the last thing you need is a plate of something heavy. Wholewheat buttered toast and a peppermint tea, that’s what you need. You two sit down and I’ll bring the food over. I’d like to have a word with you about something.”
She moved silently away and Stanley and I found a table by the window. We sat down and gazed out onto the square. I tried not to look at the gazebo and imagine Blythe there. I failed.
Stanley said, “Are you thinking about Blythe? I am too. I know she’ll be alright. I can feel it. Shall we go and see her when we’ve finished here?”
I smiled at him. “Yes, I’d like that.” I stroked his head. “I’m glad I’ve got you at my side.”
He purred and said, “I’m glad I’ve got you. We’re having some great adventures together.”
Before we could continue with our mutual appreciation of each other, Gilda returned to the table with our food. She placed two small dishes in front of Stanley and lowered part of the table so he could reach them. She put a plate of hot, buttered toast in front of me along with a cup of peppermint tea. The aroma from the toast made my mouth salivate.
Gilda pulled a chair out and sat down. I was surprised because she never took a seat in the café and was always on her feet - or whatever was under her dress.
Gilda’s voice was low as she said, “How’s Blythe doing? There have been a lot of rumours about her health but no one knows for sure how she is. Do you know?”
I nodded and wondered if I should tell Gilda the truth. Perhaps a version of the truth?
I said, “She’s not herself at the moment, but Brin is keeping a close eye on her and she’s told us Blythe will be back to her normal self soon.”
My answer seemed to satisfy Gilda so I picked up a piece of toast and bit into it. The warm bread was crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. The salty butter flowed over my tongue and made my taste buds sigh with joy. The food in Brimstone was truly magical.
Gilda looked nervously over her shoulder before continuing, “When you left a few days ago, Blythe came into the café and ordered everyone to stay inside until she told us it was safe to come out. We did as she commanded. Everyone in this town trusts Blythe and we always obey her orders. Being the nosy sort, I stood at the window and watched as Blythe made the rounds of the town telling everyone to stay inside.” She hesitated. “A short time later, I saw her walk onto the gazebo and extend her arms. I could see her lips moving and knew she was casting a spell. Her face twisted in pain and I was tempted to run out. Blythe must have realised I was watching because she waved her arms around and my windows became black. My doors locked themselves too. I talked to others later, and they said the same thing had happened to their windows and doors. Blythe didn’t want anyone to see what she was doing.”
I lowered my toast as I thought about Blythe going through her ordeal.
Gilda put her hand on mine and said, “Eat. You have to keep your strength up.”
Stanley pulled his face away from his now empty dish and said, “Blythe wasn’t alone. Luca was helping her.”
Gilda nodded. “I thought he might have been. He was the one who came knocking at my door a couple of days later to tell me it was safe to go out. He said all the black magic had gone, and that Blythe was resting. He wouldn’t give me any more information than that. He said everything was back to normal. He had such a bright smile on his face that I believed him. He went round to every single house and made sure everyone was okay. It took him hours and I could see how tired he was. Where is he now?”
“He’s sleeping,” I said. “He never told me he’d done that. No wonder he was exhausted. What happened to your windows?”
“The black faded as soon as Luca knocked on my door.” She frowned. “Cassia, I heard something about you and that kitten you found in your broomstick. Is it true she was planted in there on purpose?”
The toast got stuck in my throat. I didn’t want to talk about that subject. It was part of the evil trick that Astrid had played on us.
Stanley spoke, “Cassia, you can tell Gilda. She’s our friend.”
I swallowed the toast. I would tell her part of it.
“Yes, she was put there on purpose,” I confirmed. “She brought me good luck, but then bad luck was bestowed on those around me. She’s back with her mum now, so no damage has been done.”
Stanley stared at me as if willing me to tell the whole truth.
Gilda said, “Who planted the kitten on you?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. It doesn’t matter now. This toast is lovely.”
Stanley was still staring at me. I wasn’t going to tell Gilda that it had been Astrid who’d planted the kitten in my broomstick. Astrid didn’t say what her intention was, but I assumed she wanted the residents of Brimstone to become suspicious about the amount of good luck I was receiving, and conversely, how much bad luck others near me were getting. She wanted to ruin my reputation and to force me to leave Brimstone. I didn’t have any proof of that, and until I did, I wasn’t going to tell anyone what Astrid had done.
Gilda gazed at me for a few moments as if trying to read my mind. I shoved more toast in my mouth and looked away.
Gilda said, “Okay, we’ll drop that subject. Why have you been to see Jeff Collins? Are you planning on staying in the hotel? You know your gran’s apartment is still available for you upstairs.”
I looked back at Gilda. “There’s been another murder. A goblin called Augustus Stez. Do you know him?”
Gilda took a sharp intake of breath. “Not another murder? Augustus Stez this time? Yes, I do know him.” She corrected herself. “I did know him. He was in here a few weeks ago. I was surprised to see him as he’s not a regular visitor. He’s usually asleep somewhere. He was talking to a group of elves at the table behind him. I could tell they didn’t want to listen to him, but he was so loud that they didn’t have a choice. In fact, the whole café heard what Augustus was saying. Or should I say, boasting about. Do you want any more toast?”
“No, thank you.” I pushed my empty plate to one side and picked up my tea. “What was Augustus saying?”
“He began by pointing out that he was wearing new clothes. He said they were expensive and had been made especially for him. He was having more made for an upcoming holiday he was going on. It was a luxury holiday, and he would be staying at an exclusive hotel. He went on and on about how much money he had, and how easy it had come to him. The elves at the table behind him soon left the café. I felt like leaving too. I thought Augustus was never going to stop talking.”
“Did he say where he got the money from?” I asked.
“No. Someone across the room asked him that, but Augustus gave them a knowing smile and said good things come to those who wait. When he left, I heard my other customers muttering about how Augustus had never done a hard day’s work in his life. All he did was sleep and eat.”
I took a sip of tea. The peppermint taste perked me up immediately and I sat up straighter. I asked Gilda, “Do you know anything about Augustus’ family?”
“Only what everyone else knows. They were ashamed of him and accused him of being lazy. His mum threw him out of the family home.”
“Do you
know if his brother came here recently?”
“I don’t, but I can ask around. I can also ask discreetly if he had any enemies. Would that help you?”
I nodded. “Thank you. Although, from what you’ve told me, it seems a lot of residents were resentful towards him.”
Gilda stood up. “That’s true. I’d better get back to work. Oh, I nearly forgot. Astrid was in here about ten minutes ago. She was looking for you.”
The tea turned sour in my mouth and I put my cup down. “Did she say why?”
“No. She’d said she’d catch up with you at some point.” Gilda gave me a studied look. “Is everything alright between you and Astrid? I didn’t have you down as friends.”
“They’re not!” Stanley snapped. He looked as if he were going to say a lot more.
I quickly got to my feet and scooped him up. “Gilda, how much do we owe you?”
“Nothing. Everything is on your gran’s tab. You take care now. Come back and see me soon.” She gave us both a fond smile before moving away.
We left the café and stood on the pavement outside. I kept Stanley in my arms as I looked around the town square.
Stanley said, “I’ll bet my last sardine that it’s Astrid who’s been following us and watching us.”
I tried to dismiss his worries, but I was thinking the very same thing.
Chapter 14
We headed towards Blythe’s house but my attention went to the cobbled road a short way in front of us. That road led to Gran’s cellar door.
I said to Stanley, “Shall we call on Gran first? She’ll be wondering what we’re up to. Also, I know she’ll want to know what’s been going on with Blythe. It’s only a few minutes out of the way.”
Stanley nodded. “What are you going to tell her about Blythe? You can’t tell her the truth. She’d be over to Blythe’s house in a flash if she knew what condition she was in.”
“Would that be a bad thing? She might be able to help Blythe recover more quickly.” We carried on walking. “But Blythe did say she doesn’t want Gran to know about the fight she had with her cousins. Perhaps I’ll have to be sparing with the truth and just let Gran know Blythe is okay.”
“And what about the murder? Are you going to tell Esther about that?”
“Yes. She’ll no doubt know Augustus and his family.”
We walked past a butterfly tree and along the cobbled road. We stopped at the wooden door which led to Gran’s cellar. I reached for the handle and twisted it.
It didn’t move.
I tried again.
It still didn’t move.
Stanley said, “What’s the holdup? Have you changed your mind?”
“The door won’t open.” I tried it more forcibly.
“Is it locked?” Stanley asked. “I thought there wasn’t a lock on this door. When did Esther put one on?”
“She didn’t. There isn’t a lock.” I frowned at the door and decided to bash on it with my hand instead.
There was no reply to my insistent knocking, so I put my mouth next to the wood and yelled, “Gran! Hello! It’s me, Cassia!”
“And me, Stanley!”
We waited and then yelled again.
“Give it a kick,” Stanley said.
“I can’t do that. I might damage it.”
Stanley asked, “What are we going to do now?”
I pushed down my rising panic and replied, “I’ll send Gran a butterfly message to make sure she’s okay.”
I headed back to the butterfly tree and summoned one of the creatures. It fluttered towards me and landed on my hand.
“This is a message for Esther: ‘Gran, Stanley and I are standing on the other side of the cellar door. We can’t get in. It must be stuck. Please open it. We need to talk to you. Cassia and Stanley.’ ”
The butterfly flew towards the door and up to the top right-hand side.
I said to Stanley, “Ah, that’s how they get through the door. There must be a small opening up there.”
Stanley and I watched as the butterfly fluttered around that area of the door. It didn’t go through. Instead, it went to the top left-hand side and tried to get in that way. It didn’t succeed. The poor creature zipped back and forth around the door trying to get in. I felt as if I could feel its heart beating with frustration.
Stanley said, “The door isn’t letting it in.”
I held my hand out and asked the frustrated butterfly to return to me. When it did, I told it to cancel my message. The poor little thing flew away; its wings beating slowly as if in defeat.
I turned my attention back to the door and tried the handle once more. There was no movement. I looked at Stanley and said, “I think magic’s been used on the door to stop us going through.” I hesitated. “Or to stop Gran coming out. But who would do that?”
“Astrid,” Stanley announced. “She’s playing another evil trick on us.”
“But she doesn’t know how to do magic. Does she?”
“She’ll have found a way.” Stanley raised his head defiantly and looked around. He cried out, “Come on out, Astrid! We’re not scared of you. Come out and face us!” He waved a paw in the air and hissed angrily.
Astrid didn’t step out from anywhere but I had that feeling again that someone was watching us.
“Come on, let’s go and see Blythe.” I let out a nervous laugh. “It could have been Blythe who cast a spell on the door to stop Gran coming through and bothering her.”
“You don’t believe that. And neither do I,” Stanley announced.
Stanley set off down the cobbled path looking left and right as he did. He let out the occasional hiss to anyone who might be watching him.
I followed him, and we walked in silence towards Blythe’s house. Brin opened the door on our first knock which was a relief because I was worried Blythe’s door would be closed to us too.
Brin indicated for us to enter. She closed the door behind us and opened her mouth to speak.
I beat her to it and asked, “How’s Blythe doing? Is she any better?”
Brin nodded and tried to speak again.
Stanley spoke before her. “We can’t get through Esther’s door! Someone’s cast a spell on it. I know who it is.” His eyes narrowed. “And when I catch up with her, I going to give her the sharp side of my tongue!”
Brin blinked and looked at Stanley, and then at me. “Is that true? You can’t get through the cellar door?”
I nodded in answer.
“Did you try using magic on it?” Brin asked.
My head dropped, and I sighed heavily. “No, I didn’t. I keep forgetting I can use magic. What a noodlehead I am.”
Stanley sighed at my feet. “I forgot too.”
Brin said, “Never mind. You can try later. I’m sure Esther is alright. I would have heard something immediately if she wasn’t.” She gave us a small smile. “That sounds ominous, doesn’t it? Sorry. I didn’t mean to alarm you. Come through to the living room.”
She walked ahead of us into the brightly lit room. She sat down on a small chair at the side of one of the sofas. It was the perfect height for her. I took a seat on one of the sofas and Stanley settled at my side.
Brin began, “Blythe is still asleep, but the recovery process is working well. Some of her wrinkles have gone, and her hair is growing back. She needs as much sleep as she can get. I’ll make sure that happens even if I have to drug her. Would either of you like a drink?” She let out a short laugh. “A normal drink, not one that will make you fall asleep.”
“No, thank you. We’ve just been to the café,” I said. “Do you want to know about our murder investigation?”
Brin moved to the end of her seat. “I want to know everything.”
I proceeded to tell Brin about our investigation and ended by telling her about our chat with Gilda.
When I’d finished, Brin said, “I’ll invite Dilly here to talk to you. We’ve been friends for years, and she often comes here for a cup of tea. It’ll be easier for he
r to talk more freely here than at the hotel. I’ll send her a message straight away.”
I said, “I thought brownies only cleaned houses. I was surprised to see Dilly at the hotel.”
“She loves cleaning, absolutely loves it. Houses were never big enough for her. When she saw the cleaning job for the hotel, she knew it was the perfect job for her. The manager thought she was too small to complete all the work, but Dilly soon proved him wrong. She’s so efficient that she does the work of three brownies in half the time.”
I tutted. “I bet Jeff Collins only pays her the wage for one brownie. I haven’t spoken to him much, but I can see how much he loves making a profit. Has Dilly ever spoken about him?”
“She doesn’t talk about work when she comes here. We chat about family and mutual friends. She likes to think the best of everyone and doesn’t indulge in gossip.” She caught the disappointed look on my face and added, “I’m sure she’ll open up to you seeing as you’re dealing with a murder. I’ll let you know when she turns up for a visit. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“Do you know anything about Augustus’ brother? Or any enemies Augustus had?”
Brin shook her head. “I’m sure Dilly will be able to help you with that too.”
A pale yellow butterfly entered the room and came straight over to me. My heart lifted and I said, “It must be from Gran. She must have got the door open.”
My joy evaporated as the butterfly opened its wings and Jeff Collins’ voice boomed out: ‘Ovrid is available to talk to you now. Hurry up and get here. He hasn’t got long before his next job. I can’t have him wasting valuable time chatting to you all day. Time is money!’
I sent a curt message back to Jeff to say we were on our way. I had no intention of rushing.
I said to Stanley, “Let’s go back to Gran’s door and I’ll try using magic.”
Brimstone Witch Mysteries - Box Set 1 Page 37
