Pearl and Derek Mysteries--Box Set 1 by Gillian Larkin

Author:Gillian Larkin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cozy fiction, cozy murder mystery, paranormal, romance, short murder mystery, cozy mystery collection
Publisher: Gillian Larkin
Published: 2015-12-07T00:00:00+00:00

A Dreadful Day Out

Chapter 1

“Well excuse me! Have I walked into some sort of orgy? What’s going on in here? Explain yourselves!”

Derek Quill looked over at the female ghost who had suddenly appeared in his living room. She was a large woman in her late sixties. She was sensibly dressed in a tweed skirt, jumper and a light-coloured waterproof coat. He gave her a smile and said, “Hello there.”

The woman bristled and folded her arms tightly. Her mouth tightened in disapproval and she looked Derek up and down. She ordered, “I told you to explain yourselves! What is that old woman doing to you? It’s disgusting.”

The old woman in question tutted and moved her hands away from Derek’s shoulders. “I’m giving Derek a heat treatment, if you must know! He’s done too much gardening today.” She looked back at Derek from her standing position behind the sofa. “I told you not to do your neighbours’ gardens. They can do their own.”

Derek chuckled. “I honestly don’t mind.” He moved his shoulders. “That feels much better. Thank you, Pearl. You’ve got the magic touch.” Pearl was also a ghost. She had curly grey hair and wore a long blue dress. She was fast becoming his best friend.

Pearl wriggled her fingers in the air. “Any time, my love.”

Their visitor snorted in disgust. She jabbed a finger in Pearl’s direction and snapped, “Is this what you get up to? I was told that you were the ghost to turn to with any problems. You don’t look as if you’d be any use to anyone!” She shook her head. “Look at the state of you! Putting your hands all over that feeble-looking old man! It’s disgusting. It’s not right.”

Her words hung in the air. Derek shared a look with Pearl. He made to rise out of his seat. Pearl placed a hand on his shoulder and said, “I’ll deal with this, Derek, love.” She moved towards the other ghost. In a quiet voice she said, “Whoever you are, you’re an uninvited guest. I’ll ask you to keep a civil tongue in your head. And keep your disgusting thoughts in your head too. And furthermore ...”

The ghost interrupted, “I’ll say what I damn well want to say! I always have and I always will!”

Pearl’s jaw clenched and she took a step forward. She was a few inches shorter than the ghost in front of her. Derek knew from past experience that Pearl wasn’t frightened of anything, or anyone. Pearl spoke again, “I certainly am the person who can help other ghosts. I decide who needs my help. And this lovely man, Derek Quill, helps me. When I decide to help a ghost I invite them here and we discuss the ghost’s problem.” Her voice rose slightly. “We do not appreciate ghosts appearing uninvited and then shouting at us! We do not have to help you at all! Is that clear?”

The woman’s folded arms dropped. “Well! I can’t say that I like being spoken to in that manner!”

“I couldn’t care less,” Pearl informed her.

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