Doughnuts, Diamonds and Dead Men (The Charlotte Denver Cozy Mystery Series Book 8) by Sherri Bryan

Author:Sherri Bryan [Bryan, Sherri]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-07-15T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

The opening of any business in St. Eves was always well attended by the community, and the much-anticipated opening of the new garden centre, Blooming Beautiful, was no exception.

As the crowd grew impatient for the Mayor to cut the red ribbon and declare the garden centre open for business, fat bees buzzed lazily amongst rainbow-coloured petals, drunk on their fill of sweet nectar, and butterflies flitted and congregated around lofty hollyhocks.

“This is just what you need to help take your mind off that horrid Patrick Jones business,” Harriett said to Betty. “A lovely summer’s afternoon surrounded by flowers.”

“Yes, I’ve been looking forward to it. And you’re right about flowers—there’s definitely something healing about them.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, I do wish they’d get a move on.” Ava pushed up the back of her bob, its pastel-pink hue now just a faded memory. “I didn’t get a chance to break these sandals in and they’re killing my heels.”

Betty swerved to avoid a bee. “Broken in or not, they’re ridiculous shoes to wear to the opening of a garden centre, Ava. They’ll be full of gravel in no time and you’ll be hobbling around like a geriatric jogger.” She held out a foot, clad in a bright yellow shoe more befitting the occasion. “What you need are some flat, sensible shoes, like these. I hardly know I’ve got them on, they’re so comfortable.”

Ava cast her eyes downward and raised a doubtful brow. “Yes, dear, they’re comfortable because they look like they’re made of sponge. Each to their own, Betty, but you wouldn’t catch me dead in a pair of those. They look like something my great-great-grandmother’s grandmother would have turned her nose up at because they were too frumpy.”

Betty opened her mouth to retort but instead, found herself stumbling backwards when a man in the crowd stepped back and bumped into her. She let out a small shriek and he turned and grabbed her arms just in time to stop her from falling to the ground.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. How clumsy of me. Are you alright?”

Betty found herself looking at her reflection in his mirrored sunglasses. “Yes, I’m fine, I’m fine. No need to fuss—no damage done.”

“Why don’t you look where you’re going?” Ava scolded. “She could have had a nasty fall.”

“But I didn’t, did I?” Betty gave the man an amiable smile. “Because this gentleman caught me. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” The man returned the smile and made his way through the crowd to the exit.

“Where’s he going?” said Ava. “He’s going to miss the opening.”

“He must have got fed up of waiting,” said Betty.

“I know the feeling.” Ava shifted from one foot to the other. “Although we’ve all wasted at least an hour of our lives standing here, he might as well have waited a bit longer.”

“Sshhhh!” Harriett dug an elbow in Ava’s ribs. “The Mayor’s about to say something.”

“About bloody time,” she muttered.

“Testing, testing, one, two, three…can everyone hear me? Yes? Right…”

The Mayor, Councillor Arthur Newell, was resplendent in his robes and chains, albeit a little pink around the jowls due to the heat of the day.

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