MARSHLIGHT a totally gripping psychological thriller with a stunning twist (Detective Matt Ballard Book 4) by JOY ELLIS

Author:JOY ELLIS [Ellis, Joy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Joffe Books Mystery, Crime Thriller, Suspense Fiction
Published: 2021-07-07T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

Christie was sitting in the garden finishing a snack lunch when she saw a car draw up. At first, she thought it was someone for her, but then realised that it was her neighbours arriving home.

In the bungalow next door lived a retired couple who had “downsized,” moving from their family house in town to be rid of two flights of stairs and a leaking roof. Bill and Lynne were friendly but not intrusive, so she was surprised to see them coming round to the back garden.

‘Oh, look! It’s still as lovely as when Evie was here. You’re doing a good job, me duck.’

Christie liked the Lincolnshire way of calling everyone “duck,” pronounced to rhyme with “book.” Either that or “mate,” with the elongated “aa.”

‘Thank you. How are you both?’

‘Fine. We’ve come to see if you’d like to pop in for a drop of sherry with us this evening. No reason, just being neighbours an’ all.’

Remembering that she was supposed to be eating with the Campions and Ian, she asked if they could make it the following day.

‘No trouble, duck. We’ll see you then. About seven? Give y’a chance to have ya supper, like.’

She wished she were still researching for Auden. She had a feeling that Bill and Lynne would have some good yarns for her.

She accompanied them to the front of the cottage, where Lynne paused, her hand on the gate. ‘Oh, before I forget, duck, don’t be minding old Katie. She’s our cat. Evie used to feed her for us if we went away. She often sits in your porch. Evie put a cushion there for her. She’s too old to chase birds or mice now, so she’s no trouble, but sling her back through the fence if she gets in ya way.’

Christie had noticed that the indentation had deepened but she had yet to meet the owner of the furry bottom that made it. As if to make a point, an ancient and overweight tabby sauntered casually in through the shrubs and jumped, surprisingly lightly considering its bulk, onto the bench. It emitted a satisfying deep purr when she tickled its ears.

Lunch over, she decided to drive into the town to buy Pip and Dominic some flowers to take to dinner that evening. Considering their trade, wine would probably be superfluous, and she didn’t want to arrive empty-handed.

Half an hour later, while she stood examining the florist’s displays, she remembered the enormous bouquet Gina had sent. When she calculated what she was spending on a modest one, she realised that Gina had probably parted with about fifty pounds for hers. God, the lengths she was prepared to go to, just to further her game plan.

The florist having said it would take ten minutes or so to arrange her bunch, she left for a short wander around the shops. On her way out, she saw a pretty, straight-sided crystal vase with three single blooms and some foliage in it. It would look good on Jane’s desk and make a perfect thank you for her hard work on restoring Ian’s picture.

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