Patrick’s dark head appeared from behind a crystal candelabra. “Hello, Clem. Lance, be sure not to gossip.”
Lance splayed a hand over his chest. “I know you’re joking. The last thing that I would do is gossip.”
“Lance,” Patrick warned.
I bit the inside of my lip to keep from giggling.
Lance swatted at Patrick. “Just go back to collecting inventory. Don’t worry about what I do with Miss Clementine. I’m sure she just needs me to help her find…” He gestured to me to fill in the blank.
“Um, a doorknob,” I offered.
“A doorknob,” Lance said with a touch of vanity. “See? I knew she’d need some help.”
“Uh-huh,” Patrick said, unimpressed.
Lance swatted at him. “I’ll help her. Don’t worry, we’re not going to gossip.”
As soon as Patrick’s head disappeared, Lance turned to me, his eyes the size of plates. “Oh my gosh, have you seen that the tramp, Crystal Darsey, is back in town?”
I nodded. “I sure have. That’s why I’m here.”
Lance’s expression fell. “Then you’ve already witnessed the van.”
I swatted at him. “You saw it and didn’t call me?”
“Honey, I just saw it this morning. Patrick’s been keeping me busy dusting the china, for goodness’ sake. I couldn’t get to the phone.”
“You could have made a point of it. I consider this an emergency situation.”
“Me too. Come on. Let me get you a cookie. That way Patrick won’t think we’re gossiping if he sees us.”
“He’s not that stupid.”
“You’re right, but I like to pretend.”
I laughed as Lance stuffed a napkin-wrapped ginger cookie in my hand. The cookie snapped as I bit into it. I moaned as it crumbled over my tongue, releasing the strong flavor of ginger.
“Paul Hollywood would be proud,” I said.
“I don’t care about him. It’s Mary Berry I’m trying to impress.”
I chuckled at Lance’s reference to the previousGreat British Baking Showjudge. “Well, she would be impressed. Trust me on this.”
“Thank you. Coffee?” He gestured to a snack bar the store had set up. A full pot of java sat on a burner. “I just made it.”
“Sure.”
He poured a cup and handed it to me. “How did you hear about Crystal’s van?”
“I didn’t hear about it. I saw it. We’re both giving quotes for the same job over at Hadley Hutto’s new place.”
Lance groaned. “Oh, no. It’s worse than I thought.”
I brushed ginger crumbs from my mouth and dusted them from my sweater. “What do you mean?”
“Honey, do you know why Crystal left Peachwood?”
I shook my head.
