Popcorn and Panic: A cozy murder mystery full of twists (Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery Book 24) by Agatha Frost

Author:Agatha Frost [Frost, Agatha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pink Tree Publishing LTD
Published: 2022-09-12T16:00:00+00:00

“A far cry from Electric Fury,” she said to Mowgli, whose head had popped up after a key change. “No wonder he didn’t trust the record…”

Julia slapped the laptop shut after a bang at the door. Daylight was bleeding through the curtains. A glance at the clock on the mantelpiece let her know it was almost six in the morning.

Slightly too early for her gran.

The letter box rattled.

Far too early for the post.

Putting her pad in the lamp’s glow on the side table, she stood up, and Mowgli scurried from where he’d been curled. Julia pulled back the curtains and saw a black hoodie and a backpack.

“Jessie?”

Dropping the curtain, she joined Mowgli in skidding into the hallway. The cat shot through the open bedroom door and bounced off Barker, producing a groan.

“Barker!” Julia called after him. “It’s…”

Julia yanked open the door and saw blue.

“Georgia?” Julia stared at the pale face of the teenager. Her eyes were fixed on her black boots. “What are you doing here?”

“He said you were looking for me,” she muttered, shrinking even smaller as she stepped to the side to show Kieran at the bottom of the path. “He said you could help.”

“Who is it?” Barker’s hand slipped around Julia’s shoulder as he appeared behind her. “Georgia?”

“This was a bad idea.”

Georgia turned and marched back to the gate, but Kieran turned her back around and sent her up the path. She reached into the backpack, and the rolled-up wad of cash bounced off the doorstep and into the grass.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, shrugging.

“Sorry?” Barker laughed. “I’m calling the—”

“There’s a more pressing matter to discuss than money,” Julia said, louder, picking up the money. She hadn’t had a chance to count it, but she’d left a lot if she’d pilfered any. “You’re filthy and shivering. Have you been sleeping rough?”

Georgia shrugged.

“Have you been eating?”

“Sort of.” Another shrug. “Well, you’ve got your money back now, so whatever.”

“Barker, make breakfast.” Julia opened the door wider. “Full English, and don’t miss the trimmings. Kieran? You’re joining us.”

While Barker cooked in the kitchen, Georgia made use of the bathroom.

“Nice house,” Kieran said, taking in the pictures at the mantelpiece. “She turned up at the B&B when I was checking out. I thought she might. She loves to leave things till the last second.”

“Did she say where she’s been?”

“In that big forest behind the church.” Kieran turned without expression, a far cry from the happy-go-lucky boy she’d first met at the festival. “Said she was too devastated after what happened to Jett to see anyone. I’m sorry for bringing her here, but that nice lady who runs the B&B told us where to find you, and you came looking for her, so…”

“I appreciate you coming,” she said, offering him a smile. “Have a seat. Breakfast shouldn’t be long.”

Once she was out of the shower, Georgia refused a change of Jessie’s old clothes from a bag Julia had meant to take to the charity shop for months. They ate on their knees in the sitting room, and Georgia picked at her food like someone who wasn’t hungry, finishing last.

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