Death Takes A Trip (Julia Blake Cozy Mystery Book 5) (4 page)

Chapter 7

Dad turned up at Julia
’
s house on Sunday afternoon. She made him a cup of tea and took him into
the living room. She asked him how his week had been.

“
Oh, you know,
busy busy. I
’
m sure I never
did this much when I was working,
”
he said.
“
I
’
m still going
to my knitting group. I
’
ve made a hat and matching scarf for Cain. Do you think he
’
ll like them?
”

Julia smiled.
“
He
’
ll like
anything that you make for him, you
’
ve become good friends, haven
’
t you?
”

Dad nodded.
“
He
’
s like the son
I never had, he
’
s great.
”

Julia tutted.
“
Aren
’
t two
daughters enough for you?
”

“
I suppose so,
but it
’
s nice to have
Cain around. He never complains about doing hard physical work at his gran
’
s house.
”

Julia was about to say that she never complained at
hard physical work, but she knew that wasn
’
t true. If she did, Dad would only bring up the subject of the paved
path at his house, and how she and her sister, Anna, refused to help him
because the stones were too heavy. Instead, she said,
“
How are you getting on at Cain
’
s house? I suppose we should call it that, rather than his gran
’
s, seeing as she left it to him.
”

“
Well, we
’
ve painted as much as we can outside. He
’
ll need new windows and doors soon. But we
’
ve made a good start on the garden. I was there with him yesterday. We
started laying a paved path.
”
He stopped and gave her a pointed look.
“
Some of his neighbours were watching us, you know how nosy some old folk
are. The one next to Cain came over in the afternoon and asked if he
’
d mind cutting her grass. She said the lawnmower was getting too heavy
for her. She said she
’
d pay. I could tell Cain was going to say he
’
d cut it for free so I butted in and said he
’
d do it for a small amount. I know how proud he is about money but he
needs to get some savings built up if he
’
s going back to college.
”

Julia nodded.
“
He
’
ll soon do
that, he
’
s a hard
worker. Have any of the other neighbours asked him to do any work?
”

Dad laughed.
“
How did you know to ask that? Of course they did, I could see the net
curtains twitching as he cut his neighbour
’
s grass. They
’
re all getting
on a bit in Cain
’
s street, and
I think they feel a bit sorry for him too. You should see the amount of cake
and biscuits he gets given! He forced me to take some. I don
’
t know what your mother
’
s going to say, you know she wants me to eat healthily and all that New
Age rubbish.
”
He paused and frowned.
“
I
’
ll keep my
goodies in the shed. She never goes in there. Now, what have you been up to?
Cain told me all about Douglas and his new lady friend. How is she after her
fall?
”

Julia filled him in on all the details, including the
rock through the kitchen window. She told him that she
’
d been to the police station too.
“
I wanted to speak to DI Clarke but he wasn
’
t in. I left a message for him, he hasn
’
t phoned me back. There
’
s something funny going on with that construction company, I just know
it.
”

Dad nodded as he listened.
“
I
’
ve heard tales
about Adams Construction too. They build these modern houses that nobody wants.
They can
’
t be using
good materials if they
’
re building them so quickly. A workman takes pride in his creations, he
doesn
’
t rush them.
”

Julia said,
“
I wish I could talk to someone at that company, see what their thoughts
about Douglas
’
house are. And I wouldn
’
t mind seeing the inside of one of their new houses, see what all the
fuss is about.
”

Dad gulped down his tea, set it on the table and said,
“
You
’
d better get your coat then.
”

“
Pardon?
”

“
They
’
ve built some more houses at the far side of Douglas
’
land. They
’
ve got a show house open.
”
He stood up.
“
Well? Do you want have a look or not?
”

Julia put her own cup down.
“
I
’
ll get my
coat.
”

A short while later Dad pulled up outside the show
home. Julia tutted and said,
“
Doesn
’
t look like
much. Look at the garden, all that paving and pebbles. You
’
d never get anything growing on there.
”
She thought
about the constant battle she was having with the weeds in her front garden.
“
Although, I suppose you could plant some tubs up, place them at the side
of the door. That would look nice.
”

“
No, it wouldn
’
t. Get that dreamy look off your face. We
’
re going in.
”

Julia followed Dad into the new house. She ignored the
lovely smell of new carpets and paint. When had her house last smelled like
that?

A smiling woman met them in the hallway.
“
Good afternoon! Welcome to the Windsor! It
’
s beautiful, isn
’
t it? All modern conveniences! Should you decide to purchase one of our
stylish homes you will have full say over what colour of paint and carpets you
’
d like! And we have a wide choice of kitchen cabinets to choose from. My
name
’
s Delilah. I
’
ll leave you to look around, call if you need me!
”

“
Ta,
”
Dad said
shortly. Delilah nodded and disappeared into a side room, closing the door
behind her. Dad nudged Julia and said,
“
Close your mouth before you catch any flies.
”

“
There aren
’
t any flies in here. Dad! Look, there
’
s a downstairs toilet. I
’
ve always wanted one of them.
”

Dad sniffed in disgust as they walked down the
carpeted hallway.
“
What
’
s the problem with having a toilet upstairs? It
’
s not hygienic having one downstairs.
”

Julia
’
s feet sank into the carpet as they walked along. She wished she could
fling her shoes off and wriggle her toes into the soft fibres.

Dad sniffed again as they looked into the beautiful
kitchen.
“
Does anyone
need all those appliances? Who needs a wine rack? What
’
s wrong with putting wine in the fridge? And what
’
s the point of having a utility room?
”

“
I
’
d love a utility room. And a wine rack. Look at that fridge! It
’
s got its own ice cube maker!
”

“
You can buy
ice cube bags from the supermarket. Can you stop being so enthusiastic? Have
you forgotten that these people have most likely threatened your friend,
Douglas?
”

Julia
’
s smile faded.
“
I haven
’
t forgotten. I
’
ll try to curb my enthusiasm.
”

She tried hard and didn
’
t utter a word when she saw the amazing en suite that was part of the
master bedroom. She didn
’
t even raise her eyebrows when she saw the huge bath located in the
family bathroom. She squeaked a little when she saw the walk-in wardrobe
complete with shoe racks.

Dad tutted and grumbled all the way round the house.
“
Look at all the plastic they
’
ve used. And that
 
window is
far too small.
”

Julia pointed to a small bedroom.
“
You could use that as your hobby room. Look, it
’
s got a built-in wardrobe. You could put all your wool in there. And
your secret supply of cake.
”

Dad nodded thoughtfully.
“
Aye, I could. Your mum does complain about tripping over my wool.
”
He gave a
start and said,
“
Stop that! If
you want to go over to the dark side, then go ahead! But don
’
t take me with you.
”

Julia laughed and moved over to the window.
“
Oh look, Dad, there
’
s a lovely view of the woods.
”

“
A view to die
for,
”
a voice said behind them
.

Dad swore and clutched his chest.
“
Heck! You gave me a start then. I didn
’
t hear you come in.
”

Delilah gave them a professional smile and said,
“
It
’
s the carpet
that we use, so thick and luxurious. You have a choice of over thirty colours!
What do you think of the Windsor?
”

Julia wondered for a second if Delilah had been
silently following them around the house. She must be hoping for a sale. Julia
remembered why they were there. She nodded towards the window and said,
“
That
’
s an amazing
view. I
’
d love to live
somewhere surrounded by trees. Have you any plans to build on that land out
there?
”

Delilah looked to her left and right. Goodness knew
who she was expecting to see. She lowered her voice and said,
“
I shouldn
’
t be telling
you this but we are planning to build on that land. Negotiations are underway
with the owner of the land. We even have a mock-up model of the houses that we
’
re going to build there. It
’
s all hush-hush at the moment but if you
’
re interested I could take your email and keep you up to date with
developments.
”

Julia saw her dad
’
s eyes narrow. She put a smile on her face and said to Delilah,
“
Yes, I
’
d like that
very much, thank you.
”

Chapter 8

Julia and Cain were busy with cleaning jobs over the
next few days. DI Clarke never phoned her back. Julia didn
’
t pursue him. She hadn
’
t told Douglas about speaking to the police. She
’
d reconsidered the matter over the last few days, it really was none of
her business.

She spoke to Douglas a few times over the phone. He
told her that Nina was recovering quickly at his house, and that she was a
delightful patient. He said,
“
I never thought I
’
d enjoy somebody
’
s company so much again after my Val died. I never thought I
’
d find happiness again. And I think Nina feels the same way.
”

“
I
’
m pleased for you,
”
Julia said. She hesitated a moment and then said,
“
Have you heard anything more from Adams Construction?
”

He laughed.
“
No! And I haven
’
t had any more broken windows if that
’
s the information that you
’
re after.
”

“
That
’
s good.
”
Julia didn
’
t know whether
to tell him about the plans that Delilah had mentioned to her and Dad on
Sunday. Maybe she shouldn
’
t, she didn
’
t want to
spoil his good mood. She said,
“
Has the window been fixed?
”

“
It certainly
has. And the carpet has been secured perfectly. Thank you for organising that.
Julia, could I ask you a favour?
”

“
Of course.
”

“
Nina
’
s insisting on going back to work on Wednesday. You know she volunteers
at that cat charity shop in town, she seems to think that they can
’
t manage without her. I
’
ve tried talking her out of it but she won
’
t listen. If you
’
re in town on Wednesday would you mind popping in to make sure she
’
s okay. Don
’
t let her know
I
’
ve sent you!
”

“
Yes, I can do
that. It
’
s time I had a
good clear out of my clothes anyway. I
’
ll take some in.
”

That conversation had taken place on Monday night, it
was now Wednesday afternoon. Julia and Cain were heading towards the cat charity
shop, each laden with plastic bags.

Cain said,
“
Is this all your stuff? Have you got any clothes left at home?
”

“
Yes. These are
my hopeful clothes. I
’
ve had them for years, hoping that I
’
ll fit back into them. I
’
ve got a pair of shorts in there that are older than my children. I had
to face up to the fact that I
’
m not going to fit into them again.
”

Cain said,
“
You must miss your children.
”

“
I do. But they
’
ll be coming home from university soon, you
’
ll get a chance to meet them.
”

Cain said,
“
I hope they like me.
”

“
Of course they
’
ll like you! Dad
’
s been singing your praises to them for weeks.
”
She stopped
and looked at a shop window.
“
Here we are. Oh, they
’
ve got good quality clothes in the window. I hope they won
’
t be offended by my tatty garments.
”

She opened the door and stepped through. Cain followed
her. The shop was neatly laid out and there were many customers. Julia
’
s eye immediately saw the book section. No, she didn
’
t need any more books, she had plenty. But still, it wouldn
’
t hurt to look.

She made her way over to the counter. A large woman
glared at her and said,
“
Yes? What are you buying?
”

Julia took a step back and bumped into Cain. She wasn
’
t expecting such a deep voice to come from a woman. The woman had coarse
grey hair, cut short. She had large facial features and didn
’
t appear to be wearing any make-up. From the amount of cats embroidered
on her knitted jumper it was clear to see that she liked cats.

The woman eyed the bags that Julia now held up, her
eyes narrowed.
“
Are those
clothes clean? We haven
’
t got time to fling them in the washing machine.
”

Julia nodded.

“
Are they in
good condition? We don
’
t want to be sewing holes up and putting buttons on shirts.
”

Julia nodded again. She was beginning to regret
bringing her clothes in, she didn
’
t realise charity shops could be so fussy.

The woman sighed and nodded towards an open door at
the back of the shop.
“
Take them to the storeroom. Nina will take them from you.
”
She paused and
a look of disgust crossed her face.
“
If she
’
s not having
another break. I don
’
t know why she
bothered to come in today.
”

Julia said thank you and headed towards the open door.
At her side, Cain whispered,
“
Was that a man or a woman?
”

“
A woman.
”

“
Are you sure?
She
’
s got a little
moustache.
”

“
I saw her name
badge, it said Mildred.
”
Julia stopped at the door.
“
Should we go in? Call out for Nina?
”

Cain looked back over his shoulder.
“
That Mildred person is staring at us. She
’
s making me nervous. Shall we go in?
”

Julia did so.
“
Oh, it
’
s like the
land of plastic bags in here. Blimey! I
’
m glad I don
’
t have to go
through all these bags!
”

They heard chatting at the far side of the room. Still
holding their bags, they made their way towards the chatter.

They found Nina sitting on a comfy-looking chair in a
kitchen type area. She was surrounded by four women, all sitting around a
table. Julia recognised some of the women from the hospital. Julia was pleased
to see that Nina looked happy.

Nina saw her and raised a cup.
“
Julia! What a lovely surprise. And Cain too. Come and sit down, have a
cuppa.
”

Julia held the bags up.
“
We only popped by to drop these off. The woman on the counter, Mildred,
told us to bring them through.
”

Julia heard one of the larger women swearing under her
breath. Another said,
“
That woman! She could have taken them from you! Lazy cow, sitting on
that stool all day.
”

Nina said,
“
Doris, don
’
t be like
that. You know she does a lot for the cat charity.
”

Doris folded her arms.
“
I don
’
t know why you
’
re sticking up for her, not after the way she treats you.
”

Julia said,
“
What has she done?
”

“
Nothing,
”
Nina said.
“
Put your bags down, I
’
ll deal with them in a moment.
”

Doris hadn
’
t finished.
“
It isn
’
t nothing! You offer your services here, you
’
ve brightened up all our lives with your constant smiling. And that
miserable old trout makes you do all the hard work. You
’
ve only just come back to work and she sticks you in the bag room,
expects you to go through all those donations! It
’
s not on!
”

Another woman added,
“
She
’
s jealous,
that
’
s what she is.
Didn
’
t like Nina
being at the counter, didn
’
t like the way Nina worked, you know, being polite and helpful. That
’
s not Mildred
’
s way at all.
No wonder she stuck you in here.
”

Nina put her cup on the table.
“
I
’
m sure Mildred
wasn
’
t being mean,
she does have her good points. It was kind of her to let me volunteer here.
”

Doris banged her fist on the table.
“
Nonsense! You
’
re the best
thing that
’
s happened to
this shop for years. I was ready to walk out before you came. Don
’
t you give her the satisfaction of leaving.
”

Nina smiled.
“
I don
’
t intend to
leave. Thank you all, you
’
ve been so supportive. Let me put the kettle on, it must be my turn to
make the tea.
”
She stood up before anyone could argue.
“
Oh! Goodness! My head feels strange.
”
She put her
hand to her head.

Cain was at her side in a moment, his hand on her
back.
“
I
’
ve got you!
”

Doris stood up and shoved him to one side.
“
Out of the way, lad. You won
’
t be any use, she
’
ll squash you if she faints. No offence, Nina.
”

Nina tried to wave Doris away.
“
No, don
’
t make a fuss.
I
’
ll be okay in
a moment.
”

Doris
’
face darkened.
“
I bet Mildred has poisoned your tea. I don
’
t trust that woman as far as I could throw her. And that wouldn
’
t be far.
”

Julia put her bags down and said,
“
Nina, shall I phone for a doctor?
”

“
No, I
’
m fine. But I do feel suddenly tired.
”

Julia said,
“
Let me drive you home. My car
’
s just down the road.
”

Doris said,
“
I knew you shouldn
’
t have come in today. You haven
’
t recovered yet from your fall.
”

Nina turned to Julia.
“
Perhaps I should go home. Thank you, a lift would be wonderful.
”

Julia put her hand on Nina
’
s arm and led her away from the kitchen area.
“
Are you still living at Douglas
’
house?
”

Nina let out a little gasp.
“
No, I moved out yesterday. It wasn
’
t right for me to be staying there, I didn
’
t want people to gossip about us.
”