Cidered in Sidmouth: An East Devon Cosy Mystery (East Devon Cosy Mysteries Book 1) by P.A. Nash

Author:P.A. Nash [Nash, P.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-25T22:00:00+00:00

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The next day they drove into Sidmouth and walked alongside The River Sid in The Byes discussing their next steps. The River Sid is less than seven miles long yet Sidbury, Sidford and Sidmouth all received their names from its journey through their settlements. The Byes is made up of wildflower meadows and fields forming a riverside park that encourages wildlife conservation. The whole place is free for both locals and visitors to explore. Both Frank and Ella enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. There was something restorative about the sight and sound of a river flowing through such scenic surroundings.

“We need to find what alibis our suspects have. We may be able to rule them out if their alibis stand up to scrutiny.”

The Byes, as usual, was full of dog walkers and a few Lycra wearing cyclists. However walking ahead of them on an adjacent parallel pathway was a familiar looking purple haired straggly woman.

“Here’s our first chance to find out an alibi. It’s Amelia!”

Frank and Ella quickened their pace in an attempt to question their quarry. The paths converged to make its way alongside the River Sid. Amelia slowed down and it helped Frank and Ella to draw alongside.

“Hello, Amelia!”

Amelia turned around and, as she recognised who was talking to her, she gasped.

“It’s you again. What do you want?”

Frank smiled and asked in as gentle voice as he could summon up, “Just something we were talking about earlier. You might be able to help us.”

“What? I’m in a hurry!” Amelia almost snapped his head off.

“Where were you when Billy Dowd died?”

“You know. You saw me at our house.”

“That was after he was already dead.”

“I was in town. I had a drink at the Anchor with Agnes.”

“Interesting. Billy’s ex‌-‌wife?” Frank spoke quietly but with some disbelief.

“No. Agnes and I may lately have been rivals but we’ve been friends for a much longer time. That’s how I met Billy, because of our friendship.”

“Interesting!”

“Stop saying that,” Amelia shouted. Although Frank had deliberately kept his voice on a quiet, even keel, Amelia’s voice had been getting louder and louder as the conversation continued.

Ella took a step towards Amelia, her hand out as if to comfort her.

“Get away! Leave me alone!” Amelia took a step of her own backward, without realising she was standing on the edge of the path, precariously near the river bank. She slipped in the damp muddy grass and scrambled to regain her balance. She failed. In what seemed like super slow motion, she tumbled theatrically, arms waving and legs pumping at thin air, down into the river.

“Aargh!! Heeelp!!!”

Amelia landed with a cannonball‌-‌like splash in the River Sid. She shrieked in dismay and yapped in surprise. Momentarily, she disappeared under the water. Passers‌-‌by stopped and watched. Cyclists braked. One of them took a step towards the river as if deciding whether to dive in and rescue the submerged lady.

“Help, I can’t swim,” she gurgled. Legs and arms blundered around as she sought to regain some semblance of dignity. She focused on both Frank and Ella pointing a flailing arm at them.

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