Profiteroles and Poison: A Cozy Murder Mystery (Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery Book 21) by Agatha Frost

Author:Agatha Frost [Frost, Agatha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pink Tree Publishing LTD
Published: 2021-03-04T05:00:00+00:00

9

Julia

“Percy, that man with the eyepatch is still lingering outside the toy stall,” Dot called over her shoulder, binoculars pressed up against the window through the parted lacy net curtains. “Write it down. He could be up to something.”

In the chair by the window, Percy pushed his round red spectacles up the bridge of his nose. He added it to the reams of ‘observations’ Dot had been barking at him since Julia and Barker arrived with their overnight bags an hour earlier.

“I’m starting to think we should have stayed at the B&B,” Barker whispered to Julia, pulling her closer as they cuddled in the corner of the soft sofa.

“I heard that.” Dot shot him a glare over her shoulder. “The B&B is the first place I’d look if the people I wanted to kill weren’t at home where I expected them to be. We can’t be too careful. Someone out there is trying to murder my pregnant granddaughter, and I’m not going to take any chances.”

“That’s not exactly what I said was happening, Gran.”

“I read the letter with my own two eyes, Julia. That’s a direct threat if ever I’ve heard one, and after that cleaner faceplanted on the table in your café, there’s no knowing what could happen next.”

Julia looked around the sitting room for a distraction, eyes landing on animal shelter printouts on the coffee table.

“Any closer to deciding on a dog breed?”

“Not quite,” Percy said with a hearty chuckle. “We’ve reached somewhat of an impasse. I’d quite like a little French bulldog.”

“They’re ugly things,” Dot grumbled, still at the window. “They look more like Winston Churchill than a pet.”

“I think they’re rather adorable, in a tough way.”

“We’ll agree to disagree, dear.” Dot let the curtain fall. Abandoning her post for the first time in an hour, she pulled out one of the dog adverts and perched on the sofa. “I’ve fallen in love with this gorgeous long-haired Maltese. Long, white fur you can even put in a little ponytail on her head. Percy thinks he’ll look silly walking something so majestic.”

“I’m sure we’ll reach a compromise.” Percy picked up the binoculars and resumed the lookout.

“Compromise schompromise,” she mumbled as she gave the Maltese’s picture a little rub with her forefinger. “She’s exactly the dog for us. My husband just doesn’t know it yet.”

“The eyepatch man has gone, Dorothy,” Percy announced, scribbling notes in the pad with one hand while his other held the binoculars to the glass. “Although there’s a rather shifty looking chap lingering outside our gate with a motorcycle helmet on. Oh! He’s just opened the gate! He’s walking to the door. What if this is them?”

“Battle stations!”

Like this scenario was something they’d previously practised, Percy and Dot darted into the hallway one after the other without another word.

“It’s not too late to check into the B&B,” Barker whispered as he helped Julia rise from the deep corner of the sofa. “Evelyn’s always saying how she rarely has guests this time of year.”

In the hallway, Dot and Percy stood pressed up against the wall, one on either side of the door.

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