Death in Douglas Glade (The Milverton Mysteries Book 3) by G B Ralph

Author:G B Ralph [Ralph, G B]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: G B Ralph
Published: 2024-10-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

Addison had noted the parade of blue, red, and white flags lining the street on their approach, the text alternating between ‘Cars’ and ‘Sale’. The colour scheme continued with bunting strung across the yard, ends fixed at points around the perimeter and all strung up to meet at one, much taller pole in the centre. It gave the entire place the feeling of a big top circus tent.

‘I wonder if they sell clown cars.’

‘Addison,’ Mabel said with a tut, though she did a terrible job hiding her smile. ‘Don’t be such a snob.’

‘I’m almost disappointed there isn’t one of those inflatable hand wavy guys.’

‘Behave.’ She batted him on the arm. ‘We’re here to look at vehicles, not comment on the decor.’

‘Yes, boss,’ Addison said, smiling now himself.

Still, he couldn’t help noticing the gigantic sign above the glass-fronted shop to the rear of the car yard. It featured a funky cartoon-style car with oversized wheels racing off the left-hand side. Tyre marks trailed behind, serving to underline the big, bold text, which was also severely slanted, as if it too was travelling at great speed. It read ‘Vroom Vroom Vehicles’.

Addison could feel the bone-deep cringe already surging through him, but he tamped it down before an appalled groan or other such snootiness could escape. The name felt more like something you’d expect from a toddler’s picture book, the type with nice thick cardboard pages that were built to survive the occasional vigorous chewing.

His cringe-tamping efforts were aided by the confusion that came hot on the heels of his first impression. What appeared to be an old barn door had been tacked onto the huge sign, partially hanging off the right side, with more text picked out in rough brush strokes in what appeared to be an afterthought.

Addison couldn’t help himself that time – he had to ask. ‘Vroom Vroom Vehicles… and Vintage Clothing?’

‘Oh, yeah,’ Mabel said, apparently unfazed. ‘That’s a whole other story. Another time.’

Addison shook his head, returning to the task at hand. A clear path led directly from the street to the shop, with immaculately clean vehicles – prices scrawled across their windscreens – to either side. Signage indicated used cars were to the left, and new to the right.

They started on the left, which included a selection of small and medium-sized vehicles – some petrol-powered, others electric, a bunch somewhere in between, and plenty with some kind of aftermarket modifications.

‘I’m seeing a lot of tinted windows and – uh – other bells and whistles,’ Addison said, making it clear he really didn’t have a clue what he was talking about.

‘I think we’ve found where the boy racers come to shop,’ Mabel said. ‘What do you think of this one?’

Addison may not have had his driver’s licence, but he understood the basics, though that was about it. Cars had four wheels – at least, unless you were Mr Bean’s archenemy – and they often had a spare one squirrelled away somewhere. Addison understood this was in case you

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.