Mystery at Maplemead Castle: A laugh-till-you-cry cozy mystery (The Chapelwick Mysteries Book 2) by Kitty French

Author:Kitty French [French, Kitty]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781786810823
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2017-03-16T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Attracted by the commotion, Leo strides into the hallway from the direction of the kitchens with the fembots and the Lettermans all following him at a frantic trot.

‘What the hell’s going on he…’ he trails off and stares at Lestat squaring up to Goliath. It’s almost comical in a fantastically stupid sort of way. What astounds me the most is that Lestat can even see Goliath at all. He’s never reacted to any other ghost around me before, I can only assume that it’s an animal-related glitch. Who knew? My one-eared little pug just became a Bittersweet by nature as well as by name and, bizarrely, it endears him to me even more.

Bohemia and Britannia Lovell are around too, but they’re over by the grand fireplace in the reception hall and far too embroiled in their own argument to bother trying to intervene and, oh joy, from what I can gather, they’re arguing about Leo. I didn’t read that one wrong then.

‘What the hell’s wrong with him?’ Marina shouts over the top of Lestat’s howling, growling racket as Artie makes another failed grab for the dog.

‘He’s fighting with the sodding lion,’ I mutter, wincing as Goliath lunges for him. I hurl myself between them and scoop Lestat’s furious, panting little body as he twists in mid-air. He’s practically foaming at the mouth and the only thing I can do right now is get him out of there, so I turn and run for the door.

Oh God, oh God, oh my bloody God. Lestat. He’s stopped struggling at last and, as I sit down on the stone steps, he goes horribly floppy in my arms. Marina and Artie are either side of me in seconds, and we all stare, horrified, as Lestat seems unable to regulate his breathing.

‘Come on, little buddy,’ I whisper, over and again, and I berate myself for all the times I’ve called him names and, sheesh, I wish I’d let him eat that stupid pancake this morning.

‘I’ll make you a whole heap of pancakes all to yourself,’ I promise him, holding his stubby paw in my hand as I cradle him like a baby.

‘Don’t leave me,’ I whisper, and his charcoal, beady eyes lock onto mine.

‘Oh God, might it be his heart?’ I say, stricken. ‘Is there a recovery position for dogs?’

‘Melody.’ Fletch strokes his hand over my hair and hunkers down to study Lestat. ‘I think he’d be better on his side,’ he says gently.

I nod, overwhelmed with gratitude that someone, anyone, is taking charge. Fletch lifts the dog easily from my arms and lays him down on his side on the shady top step. I can barely breathe as Fletch runs his hands lightly over Lestat’s little body, tilting his head back and feeling carefully inside his mouth for his tongue. He lowers his head to Lestat’s and listens intently and I know he’s checking if he’s still breathing.

Please let him be breathing.

Fletch lifts his eyes up to mine after what feels like an eternity and nods.

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.