Marshmallows and Memories (Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery Book 25) by Agatha Frost

Author:Agatha Frost [Frost, Agatha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pink Tree Publishing LTD
Published: 2022-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

10

Despite the continuing rain, the café was packed to capacity fifteen minutes before noon the following day. Murder would do that. Dot was leading the public conversation, never more in her element than when she had an audience. Murder would do that too. Holding court kept Dot so busy Julia hadn’t even needed to dodge any conversations about a reunion of their defunct neighbourhood watch lately. At least one good thing had come from the recent chaos.

And that had to be the only good thing. Tray first, Julia brushed through the beads and into the kitchen. Johnny still looked as crushed as when he’d sat down. Julia set the lattes on the island before serving slices of the pumpkin spice fruit cake.

“Your wedding cake,” Julia said, offering him a fork. “The inside, at least.”

“Roxy was just showing me your leaves. They’re incredible.” Johnny struggled to produce a smile before he took a bite. “Absolutely delicious. But I hate to say it – I don’t think there’s going to be a wedding. The time capsule dampened the whole thing, and now Walter too. Leah’s completely given up, and I don’t know what to do.”

“We’re not going to let her give up,” Roxy said firmly. “We won’t let her, will we, Julia?”

“There has to be a fix.” Julia carried over her morning’s attempt at creating bark out of icing. “Only a trial, but I haven’t given up. There must be some way we can sort this out. Another venue?”

“Leah had her heart set on this hotel.” Johnny pushed a piece of dried fruit around the plate with the fork prongs. “She’s been putting little pins in things all the years she’s been wedding planning. All the best places, the best venues, best dressmakers, the best florists, the best caterers.” He took another bite. “The best baker, too. Every wedding, she offers brides the best of the best and then they have the final say. This was her chance to do everything exactly how she wanted.”

“Again,” Roxy added. “Are we just going to pretend she hasn’t been married a few times before?”

“Well, this is the first time it’s true love.” Julia gave Roxy a stern look. “But Roxy’s right about not letting her give up. We can’t let her. “

“I’m not sure if there’s any convincing her,” Johnny said, downtrodden. “I tried all last night and this morning. What if this isn’t about the venue? What if she … she doesn’t want to marry me?”

“Don’t be a wally, Johnny.” Roxy whacked his arm with the back of her hand. “We all know what Leah is like. She was always the teacher’s pet. She gives one hundred and ten percent to everything, and she’s put this venue on a pedestal. Nothing else will compare in her mind, but she’ll almost probably snap out of it.” She paused to sip her latte. “Last time I checked, a wedding was about two people coming together in love. She’s just letting her meticulousness get in the way. We just need to make her realise so we can get this show back on the road.

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