Auld Lang Crime

By Karen Guyler

Tonight's a huge night, it's the Better Than New Year ball, THE society ball thrown by billionaire Bruce Ambrose where anyone who's anyone begs, steals and borrows an invitation for the chance to flaunt their titles, their jewellery and their family heirlooms. So, what better place for Ethan Gray's new company, Gray Security, to prove they're the best and land the richest contracts in town?

But what better place for a group of thieves to carry out the perfect heist?

Who can outwit whom? Who do you want to win?

A short, snappy and fun read, this novella is the perfect treat for a little you time!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Unexpected Books
• Release date: Feb 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224449835

Karen Guyler

Always being the new girl (at nine schools on two continents) was no fun at all so books became the only constant in my life, even if they didn't help me get out of sports days. Now settled in Milton Keynes, England, I juggle reading with writing, my three children, husband and dog, a much nicer mix! I also teach creative writing for Adult Education with lots of laughing in amongst the word wrangling and discovery. You can find me at www.karenguyler.com, where you’ll discover free stories, bonus epilogues and be the first to hear about thrilling upcoming releases. If you'd like to chat, you can find me @originalkaren, on facebook at Karen Guyler Author ​

Book preview

1

Shari

Better Than New Year the posters promised. Shari Dean smiled. Oh, it would be.

She gripped the handle of her housekeeper’s trolley a little tighter, smiled a little broader then remembered who she was supposed to be.

She pushed the trolley slowly across the front of the marble floored foyer. Clearing the other hotel guests out of it was a bit OTT, but tonight the security team had a lot to prove. The night on the other side of the glass doors acted like a mirror showing Shari what she wanted to see. Not a bad transformation now she’d floofed her hair out around a bright yellow scarf tied like a headband, and was wearing oversized black-framed glasses. Her unpoppered tabard swung around her, giving the suggestion of bulk. Big breath in, long breath out helped her loosen her shoulders, rounding them in a hunch that went with her slow scuffling shuffle in black lace-up flat soled shoes that were too big for her.

She looked just as if she was an especially un-put-together housekeeper doing an honest night’s work, a bit put out she was doing her rounds while others were partying.

The first guests clattered through the entrance in a blast of cold air, long vowels and perfectly coiffeured hair, ignoring Shari as though she’d become invisible. She let the women in their clicking heels and the men in their shiny shoes reflecting the chandeliers, go ahead of her. The black-suited staff at the tall table in the ballroom vestibule stiffened to attention, all dazzling smiles and appreciation when the first guest emphasised his and his wife’s titles, Lord and Lady. Most welcome. Nods of the head that were almost bows as they were ushered through to the ballroom proper where the bouncer-type security on the door was as necessary as a chaperone in a nunnery.

The staff waved Shari and her trolley through with fast hand gestures that urged her to be the same. But the misplaced bouncer wasn’t as convinced.

You still here?

Shari squinted at him as if her glasses didn’t help her see him and his suit-bulging arms and chest and put on her best Cockney accent. Nah, mate, I’m a hologram.

He huffed. Shouldn’t it have been done already?

Well, duh, but Janice called in sick. So now I’m stuck doing a double. You should try doing all this on yer own. She gestured behind her as though she’d cleaned the whole hotel. You don’t want me here spoiling the guests’ view, I’m happy to skip it. But you get the flak when Lord and Lady Wassit don’t see sparkles in the loos and smell exotic chemicals while they wash their ‘ands.

He looked at his watch, at her trolley again.

I’ll take that as a yes then. Shari made a thing of turning the trolley round as though it had a wonky wheel, giving him lots of time.

A wave of animated conversation flowed over them from the entrance as the main body of invited guests began to arrive. She’d timed it perfectly.

Hey, he waved her back. Make it quick.

Always do, but don’t tell me boss. She turned the trolley again and restrained herself to her shuffle as if she was pushing the world in front of her. Slow, slow, slow, until she manoeuvred herself into the ladies and the trolley into the cleaners’ cupboard. Its wheels squeaked against the tiles as she wrestled it into place. It