The Fifth Wheel by L S Fellows

Author:L S Fellows
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Portugal, British, disability, wheelchair user, holidays, summer, mystery, revenge
Publisher: Lynne Fellows
Published: 2016-07-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

“So, now what? Who saw Fern last?” Audrey’s frantic bleating made them recoil.

“I went to find her,” said Nessa, “the doorman said a pretty, young lady in a wheelchair had driven away just after his shift began at midnight. When Auds and I arrived back at the villa, her chair was in the hallway, her bedroom door shut.” She looked to Audrey to confirm her statement.

“We just thought she was asleep, and so didn’t check on her,” said Audrey, with a trembling lip.

“Same here,” added Harriet. “I followed you two in and never suspected anything.”

“Okay,” Raven’s impatient tone interjected. “So whatever happened, did so after midnight and before those damn bells rang out this morning. And, no, I didn’t notice anything when I got in, I was just glad to find my bed, let alone play ‘spot the missing person!’” She coughed to clear her throat, her voice husky from too little sleep and too much booze. “She did speak to that drop-dead-gorgeous waiter at the restaurant. Maybe he knows something.”

“Yes!” said Audrey, willing to try anything, “We could go and ask if he’s seen her.”

Raven gave her a thumbs-up and Harriet agreed with a rapid nod.

Only Nessa scoffed at the idea. “Nah, it’ll be a waste of time. Probably not even open for lunch yet.”

“Ugh! Don’t mention food please.” Raven faked a vomiting action, clutching her stomach. “Even so, it’s our only option. I say we go. If it’s shut, we can grab a coffee elsewhere and wait.”

“Well, I might just stay here then, in case she comes back,” said Nessa.

“No way! If I have to climb those hills, you’re coming, too. You brought her here.” Raven flashed Nessa a damning stare, to which she yielded, her hands up in surrender.

They headed off to the restaurant, turning the air blue with yet more griping about aching feet.

As it came into view, diners were already tucking into their Sunday roasts.

“See Nessa, lunch time already,” chirped Harriet, following her nose, like the Bisto-kid, in the direction of roast beef.

They took a table outside and a slim, young girl came to serve them.

“Can we speak to whoever’s in charge please?” asked Raven.

“Is there... a p-probl..?”

Raven replied quickly, conscious of the waitress’ uneasy stutter, “Oh, no. Sorry. No problem. We’ll have four coffees please and we’d like to see the manager about a different matter.”

The girl offered a bemused smirk and backed away,

Moments later a balding, bespectacled man approached their table.

“Hello ladies. You wish to speak with me?” Sea-green eyes sparkled behind the lenses and he gave them a cheesy, well-practised grin, clearly used to the requests of highly demanding, yet lucrative tourists.

Startled, the girls glanced at him and then at each other.

“Sorry, there appears to have been a mistake. We asked to speak to the manager. Dark-haired, kind of handsome,” said Audrey, her face flushing. Instantly the man raised his hand to his head, rubbing his bald crown with affection.

“No mistake. I’m the owner and manager here, although my hair is not now so dark, I like to think I am still bonito.

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