Aunt Bessie Likes by Diana Xarissa

Author:Diana Xarissa [Xarissa, Diana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mystery
Amazon: B01M9AXA3X
Goodreads: 32673087
Published: 2017-01-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Hugh was the first to arrive, carrying a large box and a small tub. “Doona said to bring something almost healthy for pudding,” he explained as he put his parcels on the table and gave Bessie a hug. “Apple pie is mostly fruit and vanilla ice cream is mostly milk.”

Bessie laughed. “I’ll go along with that,” she said as she slid the pie into the oven to warm and then put the ice cream in her freezer.

John and Doona arrived together only a few minutes later. John was carrying a box full of takeaway containers, and Bessie inhaled the delicious scent of Indian food as he put the box down to get his own hug.

“Let’s eat before things get cold,” John suggested.

Bessie pulled out plates and glasses as Hugh got everyone cold drinks from Bessie’s refrigerator. They were all sitting down with very full plates only a moment later. Bessie had only taken a single bite when someone knocked on her door.

As she got up to answer it, John stood up and followed her.

“I can answer my own door,” she told him tartly.

“I just need to stretch my legs,” he replied, smiling.

Bessie glared at him for a moment and then sighed as the knock was loudly repeated. She crossed to the door with John right behind her.

“Ah, um, good evening.” The young police constable at the door was a stranger to Bessie.

She blinked in surprise and then smiled. “Good evening,” she said. “Is there something wrong?”

The man shook his head, his eyes moving past Bessie to focus on John. “Oh, Inspector Rockwell, sir. I didn’t realise that you were here, sir.”

“What’s the problem, Constable Jones?” John asked sharply.

“No problem, sir. We were rung by a concerned member of the public and asked to check on Miss Cubbon, sir, that’s all,” the young man said.

“Mary,” Bessie said grumpily. She glanced over at her answering machine and saw the blinking light. “Some of my friends are overprotective,” she told the constable. “I’m very sorry that you were dragged down here. As you can see, I’m absolutely fine.”

“I’m sorry to have bothered you,” the man said. “Have a nice evening.”

John followed the man out, walking back to his police car with him. Bessie grimaced when she saw that he’d left the lights flashing on his car when he’d come to her door. Leaving the cottage door ajar for John, Bessie walked back over to the table and sat down. She took several bites before she stopped herself. Too angry to enjoy her food, she sat back and tried to decide what to do. John was back before she’d come to any decisions.

“I’ll ring Mary after we’ve eaten and have a word with her,” John said. “What made her think you might be in danger?”

“Margot Lane was here when Mary dropped me off,” Bessie explained. “Mary said she’d ring me in about an hour, but I must have missed her calls, maybe when I was vacuuming. I never expected her to ring the police.

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