by Adele Abbott
“Jason promised me that he knew what he was doing. He lied to me.”
“That’s not my problem.”
“I may have a way out of this.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’ve found someone else who will come in and sort it all out.”
“Who’s that?”
“His name is Grayson. He’s Jason’s brother.”
“No chance!”
“But Grayson really does know his stuff.”
“I don’t want Jason, Grayson, Mason or any other feline decorator with a rhyming name in these offices. I’ll find someone to sort out this mess. Just make sure you get my money back to me before the end of business today.”
“Will an I.O.U. do?”
“Cash in full. Or get your suitcase packed!”
***
It was almost lunchtime when Mrs V came through to my office. She did a double-take at the state of the walls, sighed deeply, and then said, “Madeline’s mother and a man are here. They would like a word if you can spare them a few minutes.”
“Sure. Send them in.”
Mrs V glanced again at the walls. “Magnolia my bottom.”
I wouldn’t have thought it possible that Deli could find a shorter skirt than those I’d seen her wear previously, but somehow, she’d managed it. Either every mirror in their house was broken, or she needed a crash course in how to apply lipstick.
Not that I was judging. Obviously.
“Jill.” She gave me a hug. “Thanks for seeing us like this.”
“No problem.”
“We were in town to buy some tripe, weren’t we, Nails?”
He stopped biting his thumb nail just long enough to nod. As he did, I noticed that he was sporting a pair of bottle-top cufflinks.
Nice.
“Nails is very fussy about his tripe. We have to get it from that stall in the market. You’ve probably seen it: ‘Tripe and Stuff’?”
“I’m not really a big fan of tripe.”
“Me neither, Jill. Turns my stomach just to look at it, but Nails can’t get enough of it, can you, Sugarchops?”
He managed another nod.
Deli glanced around the room. “You’ve redecorated, I see.”
“Bit of a disaster, I’m afraid.”
“Who did you get to do it?”
“I—err—you wouldn’t have heard of them. I’m going to have to get someone else in to redo it all. It’s the wrong colour and there are streaks everywhere.”
“Nails will do it for you, won’t you, Sugarchops?”
“Nails?” I was horrified at the thought. “Err—that’s very kind, but I really need to get the professionals in to sort this lot out.”
“Nails is a professional. He did his apprenticeship and everything. Even got a certificate, haven’t you?”
“Certificate, yeah.” He nodded, as he continued to bite his nails.
“I don’t know. I kind of need it doing straightaway.”
“No problem. Nails can start later today, can’t you? He’ll have this place looking good as new in no time.”
“What would it cost?”
“We wouldn’t charge you anything, Jill. You’re like family. Just the cost of the materials—that’s all.”
“I couldn’t possibly let you do it for free.”
“You have no choice. Like I said, I think of you as a second daughter. What colours did you have in mind?”
“Magnolia in here and sky blue in the outer office.”
“Did you get that, Nails?”
He nodded again. Nodding seemed to be his speciality.
“Thank you. That’s very kind.”
“Our pleasure, Jill. Well, I suppose we’d better get the tripe home.”
“Didn’t you call to see me about something?”
“Oh yes. I’d forget my leg if it wasn’t screwed on. I wanted a quick word about Madeline.”
“Is she okay?”
“Yeah, she’s fine, but I overheard her on the phone the other day. I reckon she’s thinking of moving back to London. Has she said anything to you about that?”
“London? No.” I lied.
“I’d hate for her to move away again. She and Nails are just starting to get along, aren’t you, Sugarchops?” She didn’t wait for the obligatory nod. “Will you have a word with her, Jill? If she is thinking of leaving, will you try to change her mind? She listens to you.”
“Sure. I’ll mention it the next time I see her.”
“Thanks, Jill. You’re a sapphire.” Deli stood up. “Come on, Nails. I’ll take the tripe home while you go and buy the paint.” She turned to me. “He’ll see you later today.”
“Great. Thanks.”
As soon as they were out of the door, Winky jumped onto my desk.
“You’re going to trust that guy to decorate the office?”
“He can’t do any worse than Grayson has already done.”
“Jason.”
“Whatever. Nails has a certificate and everything.”
“A certificate?” He rolled his eye. “For what? Nail biting?”
***
Billy Bhoy lived in a small bedsit in one of the rougher parts of Washbridge. Not only was he covered in tattoos and piercings, but he was built like the proverbial brick you-know-what house.
I could see why he wouldn’t have been Christine Bold’s first choice as a boyfriend for her daughter.
“Can I help you?” His soft, polite tone took me by surprise.
“My name is Jill Gooder. I wonder if I could speak to you about Jasmine Bold?”
“How do you know Jasmine?”
“I work with her at the black pudding factory. We’re all very worried about her.”
“Me too. Do come in.” He led the way into the cutest little lounge. The matching sofa and armchair were a very pleasing floral pattern, which complemented the wallpaper. There were lace doilies on the small coffee table.
“Can I get you a drink? Coffee? Tea? I have Earl Grey.”
“Thanks, but no. I’m okay.”
“Have a seat, at least.” He pointed to the sofa.
“All the girls at the factory are worried about Jasmine,” I said. “Do you have any news?”
“Nothing. The first I knew about it was when I called around to see her. Her mother said she’d gone crazy, and had been locked up in a high security hospital. I didn’t believe her at first. Jasmine’s mother doesn’t like me; she wanted Jasmine to dump me.”
“Do you know why she doesn’t like you?”
“Why do you think?” He pointed to the tattoos on his arms, and then patted his shaved head. “I scare some people.”
“How was Jasmine the last time you saw her?”
“Fine. She was very happy. We only met recently, but we really hit it off. I want to go and see her, but the hospital won’t let me in.”
“You’ve tried?”
“Of course, but they’re only allowing relatives in. I’m really worried about her.”
“If I ask you something, will you promise not to be offended or angry?”
“Okay?”
“Do you do drugs of any kind?”
“No!” he said, without hesitation. “I have never, and would never touch any kind of drug. I don’t even smoke or drink. Is that what Jasmine’s mother thinks? That I gave her drugs?” He shook his head, and I could see he was fighting back the tears. “I’d never do anything to hurt Jasmine.”
“I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”
“It doesn’t matter about me. I just want Jasmine to be okay.”
“We all do.” I stood up. “Thanks for talking to me.”
“Will you let me know if you hear anything?”
I promised I would, and then left. Whatever had caused Jasmine’s sudden decline into madness, I was quite confident that Billy Bhoy had played no part in it.
I needed to see Jasmine for myself, and I needed to do it alone.
Chapter 8
I thought I�
�d better warn Mad that her mother had found out she was thinking of moving away from Washbridge.
We’d arranged to meet in Spooky Wooky.
“Blueberry muffin, Jill?” Larry greeted me.
“No, thanks. I’ve given them up.”
“Really?”
“Of course not. I’ll have a caramel latte too, please.”
“Mad’s over by the window. I’ll bring your order over, if you like?”
“Please, but I need to pay first.”
“Mad has already paid for these. She knew what you’d be having.”
“Oh? Okay, thanks.”
Mad was staring out of the window, and hadn’t noticed me come in.
“Thanks for the drink and muffin, Mad.”
“Sorry, Jill. I was miles away. What’s all this about Mum coming to see you?”
“You have to promise you won’t mention I told you any of this.”
“Okay.”
“She knows you’re thinking of leaving Washbridge.”
“Oh bum!”
Hey, that’s my catchphrase.
“Apparently, she heard you on the phone.”
“I’m so stupid! I should never have made those calls from her house. What did she say?”
“That she didn’t want you to leave. She seemed quite upset. She wants me to try to talk you out of it.”
“You’d be wasting your breath. I’ve made up my mind. I can’t wait to get away from Washbridge.”
“I figured as much, but I thought I owed it to Deli to at least mention it to you. Especially now that Nails has agreed to redecorate my offices.”
“He did? How did you persuade him to do that?”
“I didn’t. Your mother told him he had to do it. I’ll be honest with you, I’m a bit worried about it. Does he know what he’s doing?”
“You should be okay. From what I can make out, he’s actually very good at it, but he’s too lazy to find any work.”
“Your mum insisted that I only pay for the materials.”
“Good for you. By the way, have you been doing much work for Constance Bowler?”
“Not much so far. I did help her to catch some thieves who were stealing garden equipment from GT, and selling it in the human world. They tried to steal a couple of gnomes from my mother’s house.”
“I didn’t realise your mother was into garden gnomes.”
“It’s more Alberto’s thing. He has a garden full of them.”
“Oh dear.”
“You haven’t heard the best of it. They all have names.”
“How very sad.”
A few minutes later, Mad had to shoot off because she was due back at the library. I was just about to leave too when someone called my name.
“You’re Jill Gooder, aren’t you?” The woman was wearing red dungarees and green galoshes.
“That’s right.”
“I thought so. I saw the article about you in Ghost Times.”
“Oh? I wasn’t aware they’d run one.”
“It was a short profile on you. The first sup to be able to travel between GT and the human and sup worlds. It’s an honour to meet you.”
“Thank you very much, err—?”
“Karen. Karen Coombes. I’ll be honest; the reason I came in here today was that I was hoping to run into you. The article mentioned that you had a blueberry muffin obsession, and Spooky Wooky sell the best muffins in GT.”
Sheesh. Of all the things to be known for.
“How can I help?”
“It’s a little embarrassing. Could we speak outside?”
“Of course.”
She led the way out of the shop, and into the small alleyway at the side of the building.
“I’ve been cheated out of money owing to me. Wages that I earned working for a company called Hauntings Unlimited.”
“How did that happen?”
“It isn’t just me. There are lots of us in the same boat. If I can get some of the others together, would you be prepared to meet with us? That would help you to get a better picture of what’s happening.”
“Sure. I’d be happy to. I’ll give you my phone number. Give me a call when you’ve managed to talk to the others and arrange something.”
“Thanks, Jill. That’s great.”
***
Much to my surprise, Nails was already hard at work when I arrived back at the office. Even more encouraging was that he appeared to be making a good job of it.
For some reason, Mrs V was sporting one of her knitted hats.
“Everything okay, Mrs V?”
“Fine, dear, thanks.”
“Why are you wearing the hat?”
“Can we speak in your office?”
“Sure.” I led the way next door.
“I’ve just realised why you’re wearing it,” I said. “I suppose the hat is in case of paint splashes?”
“No, it’s not that. This man seems to know what he’s doing, and he’s put dust sheets over the furniture.”
“So why the hat, then?”
“It’s to protect myself from the flying fingernails. I’ve already been hit on the head with them twice, so I decided I needed some protection.”
“I see. How does he manage to bite his nails and paint at the same time?”
“I don’t know. It’s quite an art. Oh, and while you were out, that horrible policeman came around again. He wanted to look in your office, but I told him that he’d have to get a warrant to get past me. I stood in front of your office door, and dared him to lay a hand on me.”
“That was very brave of you. Thank you.”
“What is he looking for, Jill?”
“Evidence that I’m keeping an animal in here.”
“Why would he concern himself with something like that? Surely he has bigger fish to fry?”
“I don’t know, but I intend to find out.”
As soon as Mrs V had gone back to her desk, I called Winky out from under the sofa.
“Would you like to redeem yourself?”
“For what?”
“The mess your so-called decorator friends have made of my office.”
“I’ve already refunded your payment.” He pointed. “The cash is on your desk.”
“That only goes part of the way to making up for the inconvenience you’ve caused me.”
“What else do you want me to do?”
“This is for your benefit too. I want you to get your gang to follow Detective Riley. He has suddenly taken an unhealthy interest in whether or not I’m keeping an animal on the premises.”
“What’s it worth?”
“I’m not paying you. Apart from the fact that you already owe me one anyway, this is in your interest too. If I can’t get him off my back, he’s sure to discover that you live here sooner or later. Then it will be out on the streets for you.”
“Okay. I’ll get my guys on it.”
“Good man.”
Kathy phoned.
“I’ve just had a call from your grandmother. She wants me, Chloe and Maria to report for work in the morning.”
“What’s going on with Ever?”
“I have no idea. I was hoping you could tell me.”
“I’m as much in the dark as you are. I’ve tried to get hold of her a few times, but she seems to have gone to ground. I was beginning to think she might have decided to shut up shop for good.”
“It doesn’t sound like it, thank goodness. Pete’s business is doing well, but I still wouldn’t want to lose my wage.”
“I take it you and Peter are still on for paintball on Saturday?”
“You bet. We’ve been practising with Mikey’s water guns.”
“That’s cheating.”
“All’s fair in love and paintball. Oh, and I’ve told the kids about the sandpit. Lizzie is thrilled, but Mikey says he’s too old for them now. Is it still okay for us to come over this Sunday?”
“I suppose so. Look, I’d better get going. I’m really busy.”
/> “Let me know if you hear from your grandmother.”
“Will do.”
I’d no sooner ended the call with Kathy than my phone rang again. It was Petra Piper.
“Mrs Piper? Have you changed your mind about wanting me to come over there tonight?” I really wasn’t looking forward to another shift of dishwashing.
“Some more food has gone missing overnight.”
“How can that be? Nothing was taken while I was there.”
“It must have happened later. After the restaurant closed.”
“Do you have CCTV inside the restaurant?”
“Yes, but it only covers a few areas. Peter has just spent the last hour watching it. There’s nothing suspicious on there. Nothing at all.”
“Based on what you’ve just told me, there doesn’t seem to be any point in my being there while the restaurant is open. Whatever is happening is obviously taking place later. Why don’t I come over just before the restaurant closes? I’ll stay there overnight, and see if I can get to the bottom of this once and for all.”
“Do you mind doing that?”
“Not at all. It’s all part of the service.” Anything was better than spending another night pot washing. “I’ll see you tonight.”
***
Now that I’d fired Agatha Crustie, I needed to sort out the spells that would ensure our house was kept clean and tidy. Aunt Lucy had said I needed to use a ‘schedule’ spell, and had promised to look one out for me.
When I arrived at her house, the twins were enjoying a cup of tea in the lounge.
“Where’s Aunt Lucy?”
“Upstairs,” Amber said between mouthfuls of cupcake. “She’s just come back from a walk with Barry. Would you like a cup of tea?”
“Yes, please. I just need a quick word with Aunt Lucy, but I’ll be back down in a minute. I’ll have one of those cupcakes too.”
Barry was so tired he could barely stand. Aunt Lucy was trying to dry him off with an enormous towel.
“Has it been raining over here?” I asked.
“Hi, Jill. No. Soft lad here decided he wanted to go for a swim in the lake.”
“I only wanted to play with the ducks,” Barry said.
“The ducks don’t want to play with you. You scare them.”
