A Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery Series Boxset: Books 1-5 by Tait Victoria

Author:Tait, Victoria
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781915413659
Publisher: Kanga Press
Published: 2023-11-17T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

“I wasn’t sure you were going to be successful with the drawing room sofas and chairs. I think the man bidding against you was a dealer also buying for a client,” remarked Aunt Beanie.

“I think you’re right.” Dotty had been pushed close to the generous limit David had set her of £2,600 for the peacock blue upholstered drawing room set.

“But I’m sorry you didn’t win the wardrobe,” consoled Aunt Beanie. “It was an attractive piece of furniture, but I wouldn’t worry, wardrobes are regularly entered into auctions. Fewer people need them these days, as modern houses have built-in cupboards. But I wonder who bought it?”

“It was an internet bid,” explained Dotty. She thought she’d secured the wardrobe for £650 until a new bidder on the internet had pushed the price above £800, the limit David had marked in her catalogue.

She’d been tempted to bid more, but didn’t want to get in trouble again, so she’d left it. Someone else in the room had joined in the bidding and the wardrobe had sold for £1,100, which was way more than she would have paid.

Still, she was satisfied with her other purchases. “We have the hall table, which will be beautiful after it’s been repaired, and the standard lamps.”

“You will get new shades for those, won’t you?”

“I hope so. But that’s not my call.”

She and Aunt Beanie were queuing for refreshments at an old-fashioned van which had been painted black and converted into a food truck which claimed to be the Cotswold’s Mobile Deli.

Dotty heard a phone ring and, realising it was hers, she removed it from the small black bag she’d secured over her head and across her body.

She stepped out of the line to answer it. “Hello.”

“Dotty, it’s Jay. Are you at the auction?”

“Yes, and I’ve bought you the drawing room furniture, the hall table and a pair of standard lamps.”

“Ah.” Jay sounded despondent.

“Didn’t you want me to?” Oh, no! Had she made another big mistake?

“It’s not your fault. David and I agreed to bid for the pieces, but I’m not sure we’ll need them now.”

“Why not? What’s happened?”

“It’s Tracy. He descended into such a black mood after the sergeant’s visit that he’s refusing to speak to me. I appreciate your intervention yesterday, but I don’t think it’s enough. Poor Tracy, it doesn’t matter where we move to, he can’t seem to get away from that case. And he’s so ashamed of the stigma it brings. If his mental health doesn’t improve, we might have to sell up and try living abroad.”

That sounded drastic, especially as Jay seemed so happy at Windrush Hall. Tracy obviously meant a lot if he was willing to give it all up for him. A small voice in her head added, or Tracy had some kind of hold over Jay.

She mentally shook her head. This was the trouble with getting involved with the police and their cases. She started to doubt everyone’s motives.

She said in a small but hopeful voice, “I’ve also been offered the dining room tables and chairs, which were originally at Windrush Hall.

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