Peridale Cafe Mystery 08 - Fruit Cake and Fear by Agatha Frost

Author:Agatha Frost
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Pink Tree Publishing LTD
Published: 2017-08-30T04:00:00+00:00

9

O akwood Nursing Home sat on the outskirts of Peridale at the end of a winding country lane. The luxury residential care home was situated in the middle of the countryside, and there were no other signs of life for miles around. For those who had money in the village, it was the perfect place to retire.

“My grandma is lucky my granddad had a decent life insurance policy,” Roxy said as they drove past the lavish fountain in front of the entrance. “She would never have been able to afford this place otherwise. It’s more like a spa than any care home I’ve seen.”

“I’ve only been once,” Julia said as Roxy pulled into one of the free spaces behind the 19th century manor house. “My gran blagged her way in and pretended she spoke German.”

“Sounds like your gran.”

“Nothing surprises me anymore. I’m just glad you know someone on the inside. I don’t think I could fake my way through reception again.” Julia said.

They walked around the side of the manor, the leaves crunching underfoot. Before they pushed on the heavy double doors, they both stared out at the sprawling countryside. Dark clouds stained the horizon like ink in water.

“The village looks so small from up here,” Roxy said, pointing out a small cluster of cottages. “Puts things in perspective.”

“It does,” Julia agreed. “Somewhere down there, someone knows the truth about what happened to Astrid.”

“Or someone in here,” Roxy reminded her as they turned to the door. “Let’s hope Alistair doesn’t press his panic button when he sees us.”

They pushed on the doors and walked across the grand entrance hall, past the biggest bouquet of fresh white lilies Julia had ever seen. Just as she feared, the same young woman was behind the reception desk, reading a copy of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

“It’s getting to the good part,” the young nurse announced, holding her finger up as she finished the page. “He’s just about to bite her and – how can I help you?”

She turned the page and marked her place with a cardboard bookmark with a pink tassel. She placed the dog-eared book on the desk and beamed up at them with her widest ‘customer service’ smile. If she recognised Julia, she was not letting it register on her face.

“We’re here to see Glynnis Taylor,” Roxy said through a forced smile. “She’s not expecting us, but I’m sure she won’t mind her granddaughters popping in.”

Roxy gave Julia a look that read ‘play along’, sparking a dreaded feeling of déjà vu from her last visit.

“Roxy and Rachel?” the young woman said after typing in something on the computer under the desk. “Your grandmother is taking tea in the orangery.” She finished typing and looked up at Julia before whispering, “Rachel Carter? Why does that name ring a bell?”

“No reason,” Roxy said, linking Julia’s arm and dragging her towards the door that admitted them entry to the home. When they were on the other side of the door, Roxy whispered, “Having a serial killer for a sister has many more downsides than you’d imagine.

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