“The only question is how can we ever thank you?” Grace said through her tears. “I can’t even imagine how wonderful it’s all going to be.”
“I hope it exceeds your expectations,” Mary told her. “Honeymoons should be magical.”
“Thank you,” Hugh said gruffly. “This is the best surprise I’ve ever had, aside from when Grace said yes, of course.” Everyone laughed.
Bessie was just starting to think about heading for home when Hugh found her a short while later.
“I don’t even know what to say,” he greeted her. “I’m overwhelmed.”
“It wasn’t much, really,” Bessie told him. “I’m just glad you’re pleased. We did worry you might not want to go.”
Hugh laughed. “It’s like a dream,” he said. “If we’d have waited a year like I’d originally planned, I would have saved up to take her to Paris. I can’t quite believe that we’re actually going.”
“You have a lot of good friends and we all wanted to see you and Grace have a wonderful start to your married life,” Bessie told him.
“I’m not sure we’re going to want to come back,” Hugh teased.
“Of course you will,” Bessie replied. “Paris will be wonderful, but the island is home.”
Hours later, alone in her cottage, Bessie thought about what she’d told Hugh. The island was her home as well. Whatever had happened in the past, she wouldn’t want it any other way.
Glossary of Terms
Manx to English
moghry mie
skeet
good morning
gossip
House Names – Manx to English
Thie yn Traie
Beach House
Treoghe Bwaaue
Widow’s Cottage
English to American Terms
advocate
Manx title for a lawyer (solicitor)
aye
yes
bin
garbage can
biscuits
cookies
bonnet (car)
hood
boot (car)
trunk
car park
parking lot
chemist
pharmacist
chips
french fries
cuppa
cup of tea (informally)
dear
expensive
estate agent
real estate agent (realtor)
fairy cakes
cupcakes
holiday
vacation
loo
restroom
midday
noon
mince
ground beef (hamburger)
nappies
diapers
pavement
sidewalk
plait (hair)
braid
primary school
elementary school
pudding
dessert
rates
property taxes
starters
appetizers
supply teacher
substitute teacher
telly
television
torch
flashlight
trolley
shopping cart
windscreen
windshield
Other Notes
CID is the Criminal Investigation Department of the Isle of Man Constabulary (Police Force).
When talking about time, the English say, for example, “half seven” to mean “seven-thirty.”
With regard to Bessie’s age: UK (and IOM) residents get a free bus pass at the age of 60. Bessie is somewhere between that age and the age at which she will get a birthday card from the Queen. British citizens used to receive telegrams from the ruling monarch on the occasion of their one-hundredth birthday. Cards replaced the telegrams in 1982, but the special greeting is still widely referred to as a telegram.
When island residents talk about someone being from “across,” they mean that the person is from somewhere in the United Kingdom (across the water).
In the UK people refer to their weight in terms of stone and pounds. A stone is equal to fourteen pounds, so that someone who weights “ten stone, three” weighs 143 pounds.
When someone says “snap” they are saying that the same is true for them. It comes from the children’s card game where each player takes it in turn to put down a card, and if two of the same cards are played in a row, players shout “snap.” In the US, we might say “ditto” in the same context.
“Half-term” is a week-long break from school in the (approximate) middle of each term. They generally fall in October, February, and May.
Acknowledgments
Thanks to my wonderful editor, Denise. Also to my incredibly helpful beta readers, Janice, Charlene and Ruth. And to Kevin, who takes such wonderful photographs for my covers.
Most importantly, thank you, readers, for continuing to enjoy spending time with Bessie and her friends.
Coming April 14, 2017
Aunt Bessie Meets
An Isle of Man Cozy Mystery
Aunt Bessie meets a former acquaintance on Laxey Beach.
It’s the first anniversary of Danny Pierce’s death and Bessie is surprised when she sees Danny’s widow, Vikky walking along the beach where the man’s body was found. Vikky is back on the island with a large group that includes her new husband, his children, their wives and several business associates.
Aunt Bessie meets Vikky’s new husband, Alastair Farthington, a very wealthy businessman.
When one member of the Farthington group ends up dead, Alastair wants Bessie to help investigate the murder. And he isn’t used to taking no for an answer.
Aunt Bessie meets a great many new people, none of whom seem to have had a motive for murder.
Can Bessie help Alastair work out what happened before the killer strikes again?
Also by Diana Xarissa
The Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Series
Aunt Bessie Assumes
Aunt Bessie Believes
Aunt Bessie Considers
Aunt Bessie Decides
Aunt Bessie Enjoys
Aunt Bessie Finds
Aunt Bessie Goes
Aunt Bessie’s Holiday
Aunt Bessie Invites
Aunt Bessie Joins
Aunt Bessie Knows
Aunt Bessie Likes
Aunt Bessie Meets (release date: April 14, 2017)
The Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy Series
Arrivals and Arrests
Boats and Bad Guys (release date: February 17, 2017)
The Isle of Man Romance Series
Island Escape
Island Inheritance
Island Heritage
Island Christmas
The Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery Novellas
The Appleton Case
The Bennett Case
The Chalmers Case
The Donaldson Case
The Ellsworth Case
The Fenton Case
The Green Case
The Hampton Case (release date: March 17, 2017)
About the Author
Diana would love for you to sign up for her newsletter so that you can find out about new releases as well as enter contests and giveaways. You can sign up on her Facebook page or on her website at www.dianaxarissa.com.
Diana grew up in Pennsylvania, moved to Washington, DC, and then found herself being swept off her feet by a handsome British man who was visiting DC on vacation. That was nearly nineteen years ago.
After their wedding, Diana moved to Derbyshire, where her new husband had his home. A short time later, the couple moved to the Isle of Man. After more than ten years on the island, now a family of four, they relocated to the outskirts of Buffalo, NY, where Diana keeps busy writing about the island she loves and driving her children everywhere.
She also writes mystery/thrillers set in the not-too-distant future under the
pen name “Diana X. Dunn” and fantasy/adventure books for middle grade readers under the pen name “D.X. Dunn.”
She would be delighted to know what you think of her work and can be contacted through snail mail at:
Diana Xarissa Dunn
PO Box 72
Clarence, NY 14031
Or find her on Facebook, Goodreads or on her website at www.dianaxarissa.com.
Aunt Bessie Likes (An Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Book 12) Page 24
