‘There was me thinking I’d got away with it.’
‘Well, I couldn’t be sure as you had your whole facecovered with a scarf, but even that looked a bit suspicious. I thought the place was about to be robbed,’ Alex teased. ‘Why don’t you want to tell anyone?’
‘I was married to Henry for fifty-six years, I figured falling in love with someone else only two years after he died, some people might think it’s disrespectful to Henry, that I’m moving on too soon.’
‘I don’t think anyone would think that,’ Alex said, though she knew there were some people in the village who absolutely would. There were some people who thrived on gossip, the more malicious the better. ‘Besides, if anyone does think that, it’s absolutely none of their business.’
Though it was a lot easier dishing out that advice than taking it. She was the one who wanted to keep her and Quinn’s relationship a secret, at least for now.
‘It’s a little more complicated than you think,’ Violet went on. ‘I’m dating Michael, Henry’s best friend.’
‘Ah.’
Alex knew exactly what it felt like to be in a forbidden relationship too, or at least some people would see what she had with Quinn that way. She knew some people wouldn’t be comfortable with her dating Liam’s brother either.
‘I don’t really care what the people of the town will think or say,’ Violet said. ‘I’ve been round the block enough times for that sort of thing to roll straight off my back but I worry mostly what Quinn will think. He loved his dad very much and he might think I’m trying to replace Henry. It was never my intention to dateanyone, this thing with Michael just sort of happened and… he makes me very very happy. I’m in love and I never ever thought I’d utter those words again.’
Alex nodded. ‘I think Quinn will understand a lot more than you think. Plus he loves you, he only wants you to be happy again. He might be surprised but he won’t be angry. Why not invite Michael to Christmas Day lunch, just as a friend, and see what the reaction is? If you feel it’s right, you can always tell Quinn then.’
‘Yeah, that’s a good idea. There’ll be lots of people there, as always. Most people won’t even notice there’s an extra person, or wonder why he’s there.’
‘Exactly.’
‘Talking of who’s coming and who isn’t, is Immy going to be there?’ Violet asked.
‘Of course, she wouldn’t miss it.’
‘Xander is coming too. I think there might be something going on between them.’
Alex certainly wasn’t going to confirm that, she’d take Immy’s secrets to the grave.
Violet looked at her. ‘Hmm, your silence speaks volumes.’
‘Silence can mean many things. I thought they hated each other,’ Alex said, trying to divert Violet from her train of thought.
‘I went to go to Immy’s sweet shop the other day, and the door was locked and I peered through to see if she was in there and saw her and Xander at the back of the shop kissing, then he grabbed her hand and dragged her into the storeroom.’
Alex blinked in surprise. She wondered if that was the day Immy had ended up spending the night with Xander or whether that was a completely separate occasion. She cleared her throat because there was nothing she could say to divert Violet from that. That was stone hard evidence.
She still kept silent though.
‘I think she’d be good for him,’ Violet went on. ‘He needs someone lovely to bring him back out of his shell. I think we should set them up on a date or something.’
‘I think we need to stay out of it and let them forge their own paths.’
Violet sighed. ‘I suppose you’re right. Well, must go, but if you decide to change your mind about dating, I have the perfect man for you.’
Alex smiled. ‘Thank you, but I’m doing just fine right now.’
Violet nodded, gave her a wave and left.
Dear Alex,
My apologies for the elf hat joke. But you can’t have a good mystery without a few red herrings. I did wear an elf hat though, like I promised, I just didn’t specify that there would be others wearing hats too. I’m not sure that justifies two clues. I did come and speak to you, as promised, too.
My clue today: I’m not a huge fan of sweet things, I prefersomething savoury, but the exception to that are the crème brûlée doughnuts from Donut Park. They are little bites of heaven.
I’m not sure I can answer your questions without completely giving away my identity but I will answer one. I’m older than thirty but younger than fifty-five.
