“We’ll check with her.” Wilson scribbles frantically. “And what time did you and Lord Valerian leave together?”
“No!” I shout, my cheeks burning. “I mean, no. I’m not here because … I’m a professional organiser. I’ve come down from London to help Lord Valerian clean out his castle. I didn’t know he was my client when I … um … when we met that night.”
This is the universe punishing you for moaning against your client’s lips.
“I drove Lord Valerian back to Black Crag. We left the car park at 9.15 pm. He was alone,” Reginald says.
DS Wilson scribbles this down in her notebook.
“What was the crime?” I ask. “I hope nothing happened to Lilac. She knew I was having a bad day and made sure my G&T was eighty percent G. The woman deserves a knighthood.”
“We’re not sharing any further information at this time.” Wilson hands me a card. “If you remember anything else about that night, anything unusual that occurred after your liaison with Lord Valerian, you let us know.”
Well, he did disappear into thin air, but I’m sure that was just the eighty per cent gin making me miss his graceful exit.
Right?
THE NEVERMORE MURDER CLUB AND SMUTTY BOOK COVEN GROUP CHAT
Mina: Don’t forget about book club tonight! We have a guest so everyone needs to be on their best behaviour. This means no talking about the supernatural – that scared off our last two prospects. Instead, Maisie is going to tell us all about Danny O’Hare’s mysterious death.
Dora: Because gruesome murders won’t scare off our new prospect?
Mina: But then what else would we talk about?
Dora: Maybe this week we could discuss the book we’re reading?
Komal: A book club that ACTUALLY discusses the book and doesn’t devolve into village gossip, amateur sleuthing, the consumption of enormous amounts of junk food, and hexing our exes? What kind of heathens do you take us for?
Celeste: I’llbring the cupcakes!
Isis: I’ll bring the hex bags!
Maisie: I’ll bring the horrifying murder facts.
Arabella: I’ll bring myself. On time.
Komal: You won’t.
Celeste: I’ll believe it when I see it.
Dora: I’ll bring my disapproving face for when we get off-topic.
Dora: Also, some Jammie Dodgers.
Beth: I’ll bring this week’s Zen and Tonic class schedule. I think Dora needs to sign up for some relaxing tai chi.
CHAPTER TWELVE
WINNIE
Mum: Winifred, you’d be so proud of me! I sat down and sorted through some boxes and I took a bag to the charity shop today. The house looks so much better. I can’t wait for you to see it!
Ken from next door wants me to get rid of your old dolls, but of course he’s a man so he doesn’t understand about saving things for the grandkids! When am I getting grandkids?
“Reginald, what do I do if I need to go to the village?” I ask on Wednesday evening as Reginald hurries into the kitchen from outside, stomping his muddy boots on the rug. Mirabelle dashes past his feet and leaps onto the counter beside me.
After the police left yesterday, Lord Valerian and I worked until past midnight. A nightmare woke me at 5 am, but I managed to finish another book before falling asleep again, and I didn’t get up until 1 pm today. We finished sorting the office, moving the terrarium to a nice display table and leaving everything in piles ready for when my shelves and containers arrive, and we moved on to the ballroom, which is a much bigger task. We need to clear away thetapestries before we can even think about moving the loom. It’s going to take the strength of all three of us to shift around those heavy bastards. I’m grateful for the distraction of the Nevermore Murder Club and Smutty Book Coven meeting tonight so I can put it off as long as possible.
