Aunt Bessie Invites (An Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Book 9)

by Diana Xarissa

  Bessie smiled at the pair. George looked exactly the same. He was a large man with a loud voice who always sounded like he was selling something, a relic of his years working in sales. Mary was tiny, and after the stresses of the previous weeks, she looked even thinner and more fragile than ever. Bessie knew that the woman’s delicate exterior hid a steel core, but she worried about her friend nevertheless.

  “We’d love to come,” Mary told Bessie.

  “But what brings you to Laxey Beach on a cold November afternoon?” Bessie asked.

  “We’re looking at Thie yn Traie,” Mary replied.

  “You are?” Bessie exclaimed.

  “The house in Douglas is too large for just us,” Mary told her. “Thie yn Traie is huge, too, of course, but it’s smaller than our current home. George is ready to retire properly now and we thought maybe we should downsize a bit.”

  Only someone very rich would consider Thie yn Traie, with its many sprawling wings, downsizing, Bessie mused. She had to admit that the mansion on the beach above them was somewhat smaller than the huge estate the couple owned on the outskirts of Douglas, though.

  “We could be neighbours,” Bessie said.

  “I have to say, that’s one of the reasons I wanted to look at the place,” Mary told her.

  “I’ve only seen a few rooms inside; is it nice?” Bessie asked.

  Mary looked at George. He laughed. “I’m not sure I’d describe it that way,” he said. “The previous owners are selling it fully furnished, but their taste isn’t anything like ours, which complicates things. The first thing we’d need to do, if we do buy the house, is clear it all out.”

  “It’s very cold,” Mary said. “It doesn’t feel like home at all.”

  “The previous owners only used it as a summer home,” Bessie said. “It never was a proper family house.”

  “Well, it will be if we buy it,” Mary said firmly. “We’ve had my favourite designer through twice now and she has many good ideas that will help warm up the spaces. Once we get our own furniture in there and paint and decorate, it won’t be the same house at all.”

  “I do hope you’ll invite me over to have a look,” Bessie said.

  “We haven’t bought it yet,” George said. “And I’m not convinced it’s our best move.”

  “I still have to talk him into it,” Mary told Bessie with a wink. “He loves that monstrosity we live in now.”

  “It’s a wonderful house,” George said defensively.

  “It is, dear,” Mary said, patting his arm. “But the children are all grown up and on their own, well, except for Elizabeth. We don’t need all that space and we don’t need to be in Douglas, either, since you won’t be working anymore.”

  “I’m still going to have a few little investments to manage,” George grumbled.

  “But you can manage them from Laxey just as well,” Mary said.

  “Yes, I know, but we worked so hard to get the Douglas house done just the way we want it,” George argued.

  “And it still isn’t done,” Mary reminded him. “You’ve redone our suite three times and you still aren’t happy with it because the spaces just aren’t right. You have to admit that the master suite here is pretty perfect.”

  “I love the layout of the suite and the views from the windows,” George admitted.

  “If it gets a fresh coat of paint, some new carpets, and we change out the furniture, it will be perfect,” Mary said happily.

  “We’ll see,” George said.

  Mary smiled at Bessie. “I think it will be perfect,” she told her. “And there’s a huge wing for Elizabeth on the opposite side of the house that will be just right for her until she works out what she wants to do next.”

  Bessie wondered to herself if the girl might make up her mind a bit faster if her parents stopped letting her live at home without any responsibilities.

  “Are you looking at any other properties?” Bessie asked.

  “There’s a small estate in the middle of the island, near the Wildlife Park, that’s just come on the market,” Mary told her. “But I really want to be near the sea.”

  “We did see a gorgeous home, right on the beach, in Port Erin,” George interjected.

  “It was lovely,” Mary agreed. “But Port Erin feels so far away, and there wasn’t a separate wing for Elizabeth, either.”

  “Yes, dear,” George said. He’d obviously lost interest in the conversation and now he stared out at the sea.

  “Well, I hope we buy Thie yn Traie,” Mary told Bessie. “Once we redecorate, I think it will be perfect for us. I’m so looking forward to getting out of Douglas.”

  “I’m going to go back up and look at the master suite again,” George told Mary. “You take your time with Bessie, though.”

  The women watched as George made his way back to the stairs. As he began his ascent, Mary sighed deeply.

  “All of this has been very hard on him,” she said quietly.

  “I’m sure it’s been difficult for both of you,” Bessie replied.

  “Oh, I just went and stayed with some friends across. It was almost like an extended holiday for me. George had to stay here and deal with all the questions and suspicions.”

  “I understand he’s been cleared of any wrongdoing,” Bessie said.

  “He has,” Mary nodded. “But many people still seem to think he’s guilty of something, even if the police don’t.”

  “That’s awful,” Bessie said.

  “What’s worse is that many of the men and women that run the businesses that George and Grant have invested in over the years have been the first to want to cut all of their ties with George.”

  “I imagine they don’t want any connections with Grant,” Bessie mused.

  “But George had nothing to do with Grant’s schemes, not the illegal ones, anyway.” She shook her head. “I’m glad that George is working less, as the various projects get cancelled or taken over by other investors, but George is devastated.”

  Bessie gave Mary a hug. “If I can do anything, please let me know,” she murmured.

  “I don’t suppose you’d like to start a small company and would like George to invest in it?” Mary said teasingly.

  “Not really,” Bessie laughed. “But if I hear of anyone else who might be, I will let you know.”

  “I was almost afraid to talk to you,” Mary told her, confidingly. “So many of our friends are no longer speaking to us.”

  “Really? That’s horrible as well.”

  “In a way, it feels worse,” Mary said. “With the businesses, we can tell ourselves that it’s just good business practice for them to distance themselves from Grant, which means from George by association. But with friends, it’s simply personal.”

  “Well, I don’t abandon my friends when they find themselves having difficulties,” Bessie said stoutly. She could see tears in Mary’s eyes.

  “Thank you,” Mary said. “That’s just one more reason why I hope we buy Thie yn Traie. I’d love to have you close by. I could come and visit you when George starts complaining about how bored he is being home all the time. He thrives on social contact and he hasn’t been invited anywhere in weeks.”

  Bessie knew that Mary was shy and preferred to stay home; she was always surprised at how often opposites really did attract. Still, the pair seemed to have a successful marriage, in spite of their differences.

  “Well, I’ve invited you to Thanksgiving,” Bessie said.

  “And I didn’t even have to check our availability,” Mary said sadly. “We’re always available at the moment.”

  “I can’t believe this little bit of bother is going to defeat George,” Bessie said. “Given a bit of time, I’m sure he’ll bounce back.”

  “I think so, too,” Mary agreed. “He’s very resilient, really. And he still has plenty of money to throw around. It won’t be long before people start asking for his help again, I think. As for our friends, well, I’m happy to make new ones. Most of the old ones wer
e only interested in George’s money, anyway.”

  “I hope you can enjoy some time together before he gets busy again,” Bessie told her friend.

  “I’ve only been back a day and he’s already making me crazy,” Mary said with a laugh. “I used to complain because he never had time for me, but now I’m miserable because he’s constantly underfoot.”

  “Maybe you’ll be able to find a better balance, once he starts to get busy again,” Bessie said.

  “I do hope so,” Mary told her. “I must say I’m feeling as if I’m awfully hard to please.”

  Bessie laughed. “We all are,” she said. “We think we want something, but then we get it and it isn’t at all what we were expecting. Anyway, you know where I am whenever you need a break from George.”

  “I might just take you up on that,” Mary said. “But for today I’d better get back up to the house and see what he’s doing. If I’m not there to point out all of the wonderful things about the house, he might decide he doesn’t want to move after all.”

  Bessie watched her friend climb back up the steep steps. She returned the gesture as Mary waved to her from the top of the stairs. A few minutes later, she found herself waving at Thomas Shimmin as she walked past the cottages. Back at her cottage, she felt as if she’d been out for hours. The light on her answering machine was blinking frantically.

  “Bessie, we were just talking here at the station and we thought maybe it was time for a group chat about things,” Doona’s voice said. “John’s offered to host at his new house so we can all have a look. I’ll pick you up at six, unless you ring me back. Hugh’s offered to bring dinner, so you don’t have to worry about that, either.”

  As it was already half five, Bessie didn’t have time to do much of anything. She sat down with a book, but found that she couldn’t concentrate on the plot. Instead, she found herself thinking about the dead man and wondering about his connection with the Clague farm. Doona was at her door a short time later.

  “I can’t wait to see what John’s done with the house,” Bessie told Doona as Doona drove the short distance.

  “I never saw it before he bought it, but the layout was similar to mine when it was first built. I don’t know how much they changed when they updated it, though.”

  “They changed a lot,” Bessie told her. “You’ll love his kitchen.”

  “I was thinking I might redo mine, now that I have a little bit of spare money,” Doona said thoughtfully. “Or maybe I’ll just pay down my mortgage and be sensible,” she added with a sigh. “It isn’t like I cook all that often, anyway.”

  “I think, if you’re going to spend money on your house, that you should renovate your bathroom,” Bessie told her. “You’ve always wanted a fancy bathtub. You enjoyed the one on our holiday, didn’t you?”

  “I suppose,” Doona replied. “There was a lot on my mind at the time. I’m sure I’d have enjoyed it a lot more under more normal circumstances.”

  “Think how nice it would be to have one of those tubs in your own bathroom,” Bessie said.

  “What would you do if you suddenly inherited a bunch of money?” Doona asked.

  “I’d add a library to my cottage,” Bessie told her. “Although I probably wouldn’t get planning permission. I had enough trouble getting permission for the changes I’ve made over the years.”

  Doona pulled to a stop in a parking space in front of John’s house.

  “I still don’t like the exterior,” Bessie grumbled as she climbed out of the car.

  “It is a bit, well, different,” Doona said. “It makes the house stand out a bit in our neighbourhood.”

  Doona’s home was just a short distance away. Bessie glanced up the street towards the house that had belonged to Nancy King, Sarah’s mother. After her mother’s death and the discovery of a body behind a false wall, Sarah and her brothers had taken the property off the market while they discussed what to do next. The house was too far away from John’s for Bessie to see if they’d been working on it, though.

  The pair made their way up the walk to John’s front door. Doona knocked and they waited patiently.

  “Ah, good evening,” John said as he pulled the door open. He glanced back into the house, obviously distracted by something.

  “We did say half six, didn’t we?” Doona asked as she and Bessie entered the house.

  “Yes, of course,” John said. “It’s just, I was trying, that is,” he shook his head. “I was just trying to get some last-minute cleaning done and I’ve left the can of furniture polish somewhere,” he told them both. “I can’t for the life of me remember where I had it last, so when you trip over it or knock it over, I’m awfully sorry.”

  Bessie and Doona both laughed. “You shouldn’t worry about cleaning for us,” Bessie told him. “I couldn’t care less if there’s a bit of dust around the place.”

  “But your cottage is always spotless,” John replied. “I couldn’t have welcomed you to a mess.”

  Bessie glanced around the large sitting room that the door opened into. “This space looks wonderful,” she said, changing the subject slightly. “I love the colour you’ve used in here.”

  John looked around at the room. “It isn’t bad,” he said after a moment. “It looks darker on the walls than it did in the can, but I think the room is large enough that it works anyway.”

  “So show us the rest,” Bessie demanded. “And we’ll see if we can find your furniture polish on the way.”

  “So the dining room is just...” he was interrupted by a knock on the door.

  “That’ll be Hugh,” he said.

  But when John pulled the door open, there was a young blonde woman standing there. She smiled brightly at John and then frowned at Bessie and Doona.

  “I didn’t realise you had company,” she said, her voice light and airy. “I was hoping I might be able to borrow some sugar.”

  “Of course,” John said. He looked over at his guests and then back at the new arrival. “Ah, Doona and Bessie, this is Holly. She’s just moved in next door.”

  Bessie smiled at the woman. “Nice to meet you,” she said politely. “What do you need the sugar for?”

  The woman blinked at her. “The sugar? Why, that is, I’m baking biscuits,” she said after an awkward pause.”

  “I love to bake,” Bessie said. “What sort of biscuits are you making?”

  The girl frowned and then looked at the ground. “Um, just digestives,” she muttered.

  “Really?” Bessie asked. “You must share your recipe. I find digestives ever so difficult to get right myself. It’s so much easier to buy them than make them.”

  The girl shrugged. Before she could reply, Hugh came up behind her on the walkway carrying several large boxes of food.

  “Oh, more company,” she said. “You know what, never mind about the sugar. I’ll just get out of your way.”

  “I can get your sugar if you want to wait a minute,” John protested.

  “No, I’m not really in the mood for baking any more,” Holly replied. “Thanks anyway.”

  Bessie and the others watched her as she quickly crossed the grass back to the small house next door.

  “If she wanted sugar, I want my head examined,” Doona exclaimed as Holly disappeared inside.

  Bessie laughed, but John looked at them with a confused frown. “What do you mean?” he asked.

  “Doona is suggesting that your lovely neighbour was, perhaps, just making an excuse to visit you,” Bessie told him gently.

  “Why would she do that?” John asked, sounding genuinely baffled.

  Bessie smiled. “She’s new to the island, right? I reckon she’s single, and you’re an attractive single man. I would imagine she’s looking to make friends.”

  John blushed. “But I’m not really single, not yet. And even if I were single, I’m certainly not looking. Anyway, she’s far too young for me, don’t you think?”

  “Let’s not worry about that right now,” Bessie suggeste
d. “We were going to take a tour, but maybe we should eat first, since the food is here.”

  “The kitchen is straight ahead,” John told them.

  Hugh and Doona headed in the right direction, while Bessie stopped John. “The lovely Holly could be a problem, if you aren’t careful,” she said quietly.

  “I hope not,” John replied. “I have quite enough problems right now.”

  “Just make sure you don’t encourage her,” Bessie suggested. “Be polite, but don’t invite her in, don’t accept any invitations to her place and try not to be alone with her if you can help it.”

  John nodded. “I should have realised,” he said. “But I never expect women to be interested in me.”

  Bessie laughed. “You’re a very attractive man,” she told him. “If I were a few years younger, I’d be giving Holly a run for her money.”

  Now John chuckled. “If you were a few years younger, I think I’d be chasing you,” he told Bessie.

  The pair linked arms and John escorted her into his shiny new kitchen. Doona and Hugh were laying out the food and John quickly found plates for them.

  “We can sit in the formal dining room if you’d like,” John said as everyone filled their plates. “Or we can just sit in here.”

  “Let’s just stay here,” Bessie said. “It’s warm and cosy.”

  They all took seats around the small round table in one corner of the room. John got everyone drinks and then they all turned their attention to eating. After several minutes of silence, Bessie spoke.

  “This is delicious,” she said. “Thank you, Hugh.”

  “You’re welcome,” he said. “I’ve been wanting to try this place. It just opened near the station, but they’re only open in the evening; they don’t do lunches. Grace has been too busy to go out much lately, so tonight was a good excuse to try it.”

  “Well, it’s very good,” Bessie said.

  “I brought a cake from the bakery next to it as well,” Hugh told her.

  “Cake? You are spoiling us,” Bessie said with a laugh.

  “I decided we needed a treat, since we have to talk about murder,” Hugh told her.

  “Or at least unexplained death,” John interjected. “We have no real evidence that our dead man was murdered, at least not yet.”