Crime in the Café. Фиона Грейс

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СКАЧАТЬ know so! And besides, you have something Little Miss Thing doesn’t. Grit. Determination. Passion. No one handed you the B&B on a plate, did they? And what kind of Londoner really wants to settle down in Wilfordshire at the ripe old age of twenty-two? My bet is Little Miss Thing will get bored soon enough and go off to greener pastures.”

      “Or grayer pastures,” Gina quipped. “You know, because of all the roads in London? That she’ll be going back to… oh, never mind.”

      Carol collected herself. “Thank you, Lacey. You really made me feel better.” She stood and patted Chester on the head. “You too, darling dog.” She dabbed her cheeks with her tissue. “Now, I’d better get back to work.”

      She tipped up her chin and left without another word.

      As soon as the door closed behind her, Gina started laughing.

      “Honestly,” she exclaimed. “Someone needs to give that woman a reality check! She’s really in the wrong business if she thinks a twenty-two-year-old novice is a threat. You and I both know this London kid will be out of here as soon as she’s got enough money together to buy a warehouse apartment in Chelsea.” She shook her head. “I think I’ll take my break now, if you don’t mind? I’ve had quite enough excitement.”

      “Go for it,” Lacey said, just as the door tinkled to usher in another customer. “I’ve got this.”

      Gina patted her knees to get Chester’s attention. “Come on, boy, walkies.”

      He leapt up and the two headed for the door. The short, slim young woman who’d just entered took a wide step to the left, in that tell-tale way of a person who was scared of dogs and expecting them to jump up and bite them.

      Gina gave her a curt nod. She didn’t have much time for people who didn’t like pets.

      Once the door had closed behind Gina and Chester, the girl seemed to relax. She approached Lacey, her patchwork skirt swishing as she went. Paired with an oversized knitted cardigan, her outfit wouldn’t look out of place hanging in Gina’s closet.

      “Can I help you?” Lacey asked the woman.

      “Yes,” the young woman said. She had a timid energy about her, her mousy brown hair that lay unstyled over her shoulders adding to her childlike air, and her large eyes giving her something of a rabbit-in-the-headlights look. “You’re Lacey, right?”

      “That’s right.”

      It never failed to make Lacey feel disconcerted when people knew her by name. Especially considering what had happened with Brooke…

      “I’m Suzy,” the girl said, holding out her hand to shake Lacey’s. “I’m opening a B&B along the coast. Someone gave me your name as a good contact for furniture.”

      Lacey wished Gina was still here so she could exchange a surprised look with her, but alas she was alone, and so she shook the hand being proffered to her. She couldn’t quite believe this tiny slip of a girl was the rich London graduate who had struck such fear into Carol. She barely looked over sixteen, and was as timid as a mouse. She looked like she was on her way to church, not about to open a business.

      “What is it that you’re looking for?” Lacey asked, masking her surprise with politeness.

      The girl shrugged bashfully. “I’m not really sure yet, to be honest. All I know is that I don’t want anything modern. The estate is far too big for modern. It would feel corporate and soulless, you know? It needs to feel cozy. Luxurious. Unique.”

      “Well, why don’t we walk around the store and see if we can get some inspiration?” Lacey said.

      “That’s a great idea!” Suzy replied, grinning a youthful smile of exuberance.

      Lacey led her to Steampunk Corner. “I was an interior designer’s assistant for about fourteen years back in New York,” she explained as Suzy began perusing the shelves. “You’ll be amazed at where you can draw inspiration from.”

      Suzy was peering curiously at the aquanaut’s suit. Lacey had a sudden vision of a steampunk-themed B&B.

      “Let’s go this way,” she said hurriedly, diverting Suzy’s attention toward the Nordic Nook instead.

      But nothing in her Scandinavian-inspired section seemed to spark excitement in Suzy, so they continued weaving through the store. Lacey had really built up quite the collection of items during her short months as an antiquarian.

      They walked the length of Lamp Lane before ending in Vintage Valley.

      “Seen anything that catches your eye?” Lacey asked.

      Suzy twisted her lips as if uncertain. “Not really. But I’m sure you’ll be able to find something.”

      Lacey hesitated. She thought the whole purpose of the shop tour was to find something Suzy felt inspired by, not her!

      “I’m sorry,” Lacey said, a little perplexed. “What do you mean?”

      The young woman was busy rummaging in her cloth purse and evidently didn’t hear her. She pulled out a diary, thumbing through the pages, then clicked the top of a pen and peered eagerly at Lacey. “Are you free tomorrow?”

      “Free for what?” Lacey asked, her confusion growing.

      “The renovation,” Suzy said. “Didn’t I…?” She trailed off and her cheeks went bright red. “Shoot. Sorry.” She quickly shoved the pen and diary back into her shoulder bag. “I’m new to all this business stuff. I get things in the wrong order all the time. Let me start at the beginning. So, my plan is to get the B&B furnished in time for the air show and…”

      “Let me stop you right there,” Lacey interrupted. “What air show?”

      “The air show,” Suzy repeated.

      From the frown that had appeared between her eyebrows, Lacey deduced it was her turn to be perplexed.

      “Next Saturday?” the young woman continued. “Red Arrows? Castle of Brogain? You really don’t know what I’m talking about?”

      Lacey was stumped. Suzy may as well be talking another language. “You might’ve guessed from my accent, I’m not from around these parts.”

      “No, of course.” Suzy blushed again. “Well, air shows are quite common here in the UK. You get shows all across the coast, but the Wilfordshire one is a special gem because of Brogain castle. The Red Arrows do a very exciting formation as they pass over it, and every high schooler studying photography wants to come and get a black-and-white shot of it. The juxtaposition of old war and new war.” She printed the words in the air with her hands and giggled. “I know, because I was one of those high schoolers once.”

      All four years ago, Lacey thought.

      “There’s also about a zillion professional photographers who come as well,” Suzy continued in a way that made it clear to Lacey she was a nervous rambler. “It’s like a competition, everyone trying to snap THE image, the one that the tourist board will buy. And then, there’s the people who come to show their respects to their ancestors. And all the families who just want to look at planes doing barrel rolls.”

      “I СКАЧАТЬ