Death Wish: A Cozy Mystery Collection of 32 Short Stories

By S. Y. Robins

This collection contains 32 Cozy Mystery Short Stories by S. Y. Robins.

 

Included in this collection:

Bag and Lady

Bake Off

Cold Death

Colorful Death

Crafty Murder

Curl Up And Dye

Death Groupie

Deadly Brewed

Dog Dig Death

Drop Dead Hotel

Gone Missing

Killer Chocolate

Killer Cupcakes

Killer Nail

Killer Tiramisu

Knitless Death

Life's a Beach

Missing Hearts

Murder Book Club

Murder by Cheesecake

Scoop Away

Shoes and Baby

Sew Much Trouble

Spicy Murder

Spooky Followers

Steamy Death

The Death Next Door

Un-friend

Warm Food Cold Body

Wine Up Dead

Wicked Vampire

Witch You Were Dead

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lovy Books Ltd
• Release date: Aug 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223402442

Book preview

Death Wish

DEATH WISH

S. Y. ROBINS

LOVY BOOKS LTD

Copyright © Lovy Books Ltd, 2022

S. Y. Robins has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

This book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.

Lovy Books Ltd

20-22 Wenlock Road

London N1 7GU

CONTENTS

Bag and Lady

Bake Off

Cold Death

Colorful Death

Crafty Murder

Curl Up And Dye

Death Groupie

Deadly Brewed

Dog Dig Death

Drop Dead Hotel

Gone Missing

Killer Chocolate

Killer Cupcakes

Killer Nail

Killer Tiramisu

Knitless Death

Life’s A Beach

Missing Hearts

Murder Book Club

Murder by Cheesecake

Scoop Away

Shoes and Baby

Sew Much Trouble

Spicy Murder

Spooky Followers

Steamy Death

The Death Next Door

Un-friend

Warm Food Cold Body

Wine Up Dead

Wicked Vampire

Witch You Were Dead

About the Author

BAG AND LADY

COZY MYSTERY

ABOUT THE BOOK

Bianca Cooper lived a charmed life, a happy life, one filled with happiness and friends. Then one day she finds one of her best friend’s unconscious body in her shop, next door to Bianca’s. The only thing missing are some patterns and cloth for making dresses with. Who robs a store and attacks a woman over some old patterns and cloth? Her friend Christine has no known enemies and the patterns are all but worthless.

Bianca is determined to find answers, however, and starts investigating possible suspects. She soon learns a family secret that Christine has kept hidden and the suspect list grows. Was this just a random act of violence or has the family secret finally come back to haunt Christine? Bianca may not be the world’s best detective but she’s determined to find answers for her friend and protect her at all costs. After all, Christine would do the same for her, what else are BFFs for?

CHAPTER 1

Bianca Cooper, 28 years old, owner of her own successful handbag shop, and best friend to Clara and Christine had lived a charmed life so far. Nothing bad had ever happened to her, if you looked over a few failed relationships, and she looked forward to more of the same in her life. Her parents and grandparents were still alive, she lived in a nice home, though she rented it, and life was not bad. Not bad at all.

Perhaps fate had finally decided it was time to throw a wrench in the works, or perhaps it was just Bianca’s turn on the wheel of life but looking down at her best friend Christine laying on the floor unconscious, and dialling 999, she knew that fate had suddenly, inexplicably, turned her life from placid normality to undiluted chaos. Oh dear!

The day Bianca found Christine unconscious on the floor started out as any other normal day, she went next door to get a coffee, waved at Clara and her daughter Selena through the glass window of Clara’s shoe shop, headed to her shop, and picked up the phone as it started to ring.

I’m here, Clara, nobody mugged me and dumped me off of the train this morning. How’s our girl? Bianca asked, knowing by now who was on the phone. The daily calls had become routine and Bianca walked over to her shop window to wave at Clara, on the other side of the street, one more time.

You still haven’t had your car repaired? You really need to get on to that, Bianca, have you seen the things that have happened on the trains this week? Oh, Selena has another tooth coming in, did I tell you? Clara carried on speaking as if she hadn’t asked Bianca a question she wanted answering.

Bianca listened as she heard Clara replying and teased her friend about her ‘baby brain’. Clara never even talked about her shop anymore only Selena’s milestones and how well Champagne, Selena’s birth mother, was doing at uni. Bianca should have known her day was not going to go as planned when she heard her friend utter the dreaded words every single, childless woman dreads hearing from her friends with children.

Oh, you’ll understand when you have your own children. Bianca snorted and tried not to roll her almond shaped green eyes. Not likely sister, Bianca thought. Bianca had no plans to have children in the foreseeable future; she didn’t even have a steady boyfriend at the moment.

She’d chosen to focus her time and her energies on her shop, not on a man or children. To be fair though Clara hadn’t had those plans either, she’d literally had a baby dropped on her doorstep, after all. No, Bianca’s plans did not include children and her plump frame proved that. She spent so much time working on creating inventory for her shop, working in the shop, and just being at the shop that she rarely had time for exercise or eating healthy and her body was starting to show that.

Bianca was quite pretty though, and though she might not have a lot of time for exercising she did dress her frame in sophisticated clothes and kept her shoulder length brown hair in a cute fashion. Bianca was smart, funny, hardworking, and productive and her passion was her shop. She was a shopaholic for fabrics when it came to the shop and as Clara went on about baby Selena, Bianca went over her newest purchases in her mind. There was a new one she wanted to show Christine, her friend in the shop next to hers.

Sometimes Bianca and Christine collaborated on products. One would find a material for a dress or a bag and buy enough so that the other one could make their speciality creation out of the same material. The items would be sold as a set and both would split the earnings. Bianca had become so used to Christine immediately agreeing to her choice of material that she’d stopped asking if Christine wanted some of the same and just bought enough to make a dress and a bag out of it.

I’m sorry to cut you short, Clara my darling, but I need to go over and see Christine, usually she’s over by now but I guess she’s been caught up this morning in some travesty or another. I’ll see you at lunch time, alright?

Bianca hung up the phone as Clara agreed and said her goodbye, and she locked the front door as she went out for five minutes. This early in the morning she’d have few shoppers and anyone that came in would likely go over to Christina’s anyway. Bianca noticed first that the lights weren’t on in Christina’s dress shop. Then she noticed the door was slightly open.

Bianca’s blood ran cold as she stared into the dark shop after she looked around outside to make sure there were people that could hear her screams if anyone inside attacked her. Of course, in this day and age anyone that heard her screams were more likely to stand outside with their camera phones on waiting to see if she ran out of the store in flames so they could post it to their social media and go viral.

Blowing air out of her lungs Bianca braced herself, she was going in. This was her friend’s shop after all, she wasn’t going to leave her in there alone and hurt if something was wrong. Stepping to the door Bianca pushed on the handle, letting the door swing open. She still couldn’t see inside so she stepped in.

Bianca knew where the light switch was and walked in that general direction but tripped over something. Steadying herself she assumed something had been left in the middle of the floor and carried on to the switch. No use feeling around in the dark after all, she said to herself.

Bianca reached the panel for the lights and started flicking them on, her eyes squinting as the light momentarily blinded her. As her eyes adjusted she went to the back of the store, calling out for Christine. Nobody answered as Bianca checked each room, even the utility closet. She stopped at the closet, staring inside as she saw that the closet was a mess. Christine usually didn’t leave her shop in disarray like that; even the closets were obsessively neat.

Christine’s obsessive neatness was a running joke between her friends. Even her shop floor was obsessively neat and Christine would spend hours sometimes sweeping, mopping, and picking up specks of dust. Neat-freak didn’t even begin to cover Christine’s obsession with tidiness. Clara and Bianca could both be house-proud but Christine took it to another level. That closet was definitely a sign of something being wrong.

Bianca still couldn’t find Christine, which considering the time, was odd, so she went back to the front of the shop, wondering just what was going on. As Bianca came back to the shop floor; an open plan display of dresses against the walls with a few racks in the middle, she came to an abrupt halt. There in the floor was the object she’d tripped over. Christine was sprawled, facedown, with her arms out beside her.

Bianca pushed her panic aside and rushed over to her friend, pushing Christine’s hair out of her face to check if she was okay. You’d have thought tripping over her would have been enough to arouse Christine but it hadn’t. Bianca dug her phone out of her pocket and dialled 999, feeling at her friend’s neck for a pulse. She found Christine’s pulse quickly and it was strong and steady but Christine still hadn’t woke up.

Standing up Bianca stared across at Clara’s shop as she spoke with the operator on the other end of the line, wishing her other friend would rush over now and help her. She couldn’t break the call with the 999 operator until an ambulance arrived, however, and she couldn’t leave her stricken friend. She’d seen no obvious blood but something was wrong here and her worry over Christine not waking up was just growing.

This was not how she thought her day was going to go. Not at all.

No, Constable Goins, I didn’t see anyone going into the shop or out of it. No, there wasn’t anyone in there that I could see and the only odd thing that I noticed was Christine’s utility closet was a mess. If you know Christine even a little bit by now, you know that that’s unlike her. Very unlike her. Bianca answered the constable’s questions.

Excuse me, Ms. Cooper, your friend is awake now and asking for you. A spiffy young nurse, all perky in her role as messenger, informed Bianca.

Oh, thank goodness! Thank you, nurse, I do appreciate it. Bianca said, quickly filing past the nurse and the policeman into Christine’s little area of A & E.

Oh, I’m so glad you’re awake! Bianca said as she rushed over to her friend, hugging her gently.

Not too tight! Christine croaked out.

Christine’s voice was hoarse and she had two huge knots on her head, one of which had been bleeding although Bianca had missed that because Christine had that side of her head flat against the floor when Bianca found her. The other knot was just over her right eyebrow. The knot was starting to turn a mix of deep purple and angry red around the edges. The lump was going to be painful for a while.

The doctor put stitches in the other one but you can barely see them, he said. Can you? Christine asked tilting her head.

No, not that I can see. Bianca said as she peered into her friend’s hair. It really was a good job then. So what happened my darling?

I really don’t know, Bianca. One minute I was unlocking the front door, the next I was waking up here. I really don’t know what happened. Christine replied.

If you were assaulted by the door then I’d have found you there. Bianca observed.

Perhaps the assailant struck her and then moved her or perhaps she just doesn’t remember that part. It happens sometimes with head injuries. Constable Goins offered as an explanation.

Oh. I see. Bianca replied. What did you have in the store that someone might have assaulted you for, Christine?

Nothing that I know of. The dresses and your handbags can go for a pretty penny but those aren’t really items worth killing anyone over, I would think. Christine said.

Have you any rivals, enemies, or any other people who may have a grudge against you? Constable Goins asked, writing something down on a notepad.

Not that I know of. There are other dress shops but they’re all different styles, different brands. They aren’t like my shop where I design my own patterns and styles. I’m pretty unique in this city. All of my customers have been pleased with my creations so far.

How does that work anyway, Christine? Your shop I mean, you only have a few sizes of each dress available. We’ll have you check those later, see if any are missing by the way. This from the constable.

Oh, I customize each dress so that even if two women buy the same dress it can be a little different and not exactly the same. The dresses on the shop floor aren’t actually for sale, they’re just samples. And before you ask, yes, they can be expensive, but no I don’t keep cash in the shop. Most of my sales are done through bank or credit cards. Any cash goes straight to the bank.

Good thinking, Christine. I guess that’s all of my questions for now. We’ll have a few more once you’re out of hospital and back on your feet. Let us know when you get back to the shop, we want to know if anything is missing or out of place, alright?

I will, Constable Goins. I’ll be in here for the night, it seems, they want to observe me, but you have my number if you want me. Clara has it too, so if you can’t find me just call her. Christine said, a tired smile stretching across her pretty face.

Christine was a lovely woman but pain, shock, and stress were taking their toll today and Christine’s pallor was starting to worry Bianca. She waved at the policeman as he left the room and pushed Christine’s pillows around until she was more comfortable.

Can I get you anything, love? Clara and Selena are coming this evening and your Mum is bringing Charlotte by later. Bianca informed Christine.

Oh, do please call Mum back and tell her not to bring Charlie in here. I don’t want her exposed to germs or remembering seeing her mummy in hospital. No, tell her I’m fine and that I’ll be home soon enough. Charlie doesn’t need this experience. Christine replied.

I’ll let her know then. Bianca said and smoothed the blankets covering Christine. Do you want anything to drink? I think you can have something now.

A bit of lemonade and some ice would be lovely, thank you, Bianca. Christine asked with another tired smile.

I’ll get it right away then, madam; you just rest here and await my return. Bianca said in a theatrical voice with a flourish of her arm, hoping to make Christine smile. Christine gave a wan smile as Bianca walked out the door.

When Bianca returned she saw that Christine had been crying and was quickly wiping her face with a flannel. Bianca smiled, ignored the tears, and took the drink over to her friend.

Here you are, madam, one lemonade with ice. Now, dry your tears, because you are fine, we can replace anything at the shop that may need replacing, and the one irreplaceable thing that was damaged is mending right now in this bed. Bianca said taking her friend’s hand to lay a gentle kiss on it. You’re fine and I’m here for you.

Thank you so much, Christine said with a sob. I just had a little moment of feeling sorry for myself. I’ll stop being a mardy cow now.

Cry away if you want. If it had been me I’d probably be blubbering for the next fortnight. But it breaks my heart to see you crying and not be able to help you. So let me cheer you up and distract you for a bit. Look at this bit of cloth I found last night! I thought it would go great as both a dress and a handbag, what do you think?

Bianca pulled the material from her own bag and showed it to Christine, hoping her ploy worked. Her friends often joked that Bianca had crafted herself a Mary Poppins bag because they never knew what she was going to pull out of it. Christine immediately fell in love with the green material and knew it would make the perfect dress for Clara. She started making plans in her head and out loud with Bianca and for the next hour Christine smiled as Bianca helped her with her plans, writing things down.

As plans for distraction went Bianca’s went well and Christine was sleeping by the time Clara arrived. The two friends sat together, watching their other friend sleep and knew that they would have to do something about this and soon. They weren’t going to allow the woman to ever be hurt again.

I’ll have that security system installed while she’s in here. Clara said. She kept meaning to get one after it came in so handy in my shop. It may be closing the barn door after the cows have already escaped but I’ll rest easier knowing it’s there.

I’ll go back in the shop, see if there are any clues. Her Mum is coming to get her tomorrow afternoon when they release her so that will give us time to get in, clean up, and get out before she can protest. Bianca said with a mischievous grin.

Good. We can’t let this happen again. Christine is too precious to this world to let her get knocked over the head again.

CHAPTER 2

Bianca looked around Christine’s shop and saw that everything was restored back to normal a week later. The only difference was the security cameras and panel, and Christine. Her friend was quieter now, not as talkative, and frequently jumped as if constantly startled. Bianca did not like that development at all.

So did you notice anything was different when you came back, love? Bianca asked keeping an eye on her own shop from the doorway.

Not really, there were some things missing but nothing serious. Christine said, straightening dresses pinned to the wall before walking back to her counter.

What sort of things? Bianca asked.

A sewing machine I haven’t used in years, some of the more expensive material I was saving. Some old sewing patterns. Really odd things to steal, if you ask me. None of it was really worth anything. The material was expensive but you aren’t going to get much for that kind of thing on the street.

Were the sewing patterns worth anything? Bianca wondered aloud.

Not really. I might have made a few pounds off of each one on an online auction or something. The sentimental value of the things were worth more than their actual value. They were sewing patterns my gran and great-gran used in their lifetimes. They were some really old, beautiful patterns for some rather exquisite dresses there. I hoped to use them for something one day but never got around to it. I’m in an online group for sewers and offered to copy the patterns for anyone that wanted them. A few ladies came by, local ladies, and I made copies but as I said, they weren’t really worth anything.

Well that just creates a whole new slew of questions. Why would anyone steal them if you were offering copies for free? I suppose someone without knowledge of sewing patterns could mistake them as being valuable because they’re old, perhaps. Bianca mused.

There’s a strange family story that goes with those patterns. Christine trailed off at the end, her thoughts turning inwards.

Well? What’s the story? That might be important! Bianca cried out and then laughed as she waited for the story.

Well, the story never really made sense to me so I’ve always dismissed it. My sister and I are supposed to be the heirs to a great family fortune; it even comes with a title! I am supposed to be a Lady, don’t you know? Christina said in a hoity-toity accent with some fancy little hand waving work that made Bianca giggle.

Seriously? Bianca screeched with glee.

Seriously. The story goes that my great-gran was cheated out of her inheritance by a cousin named Oliver. It was during the last World War, everything was in chaos, and there was some kerfuffle over inheritance as my great-gran’s elder and only brother died in the First World War. My great-great grandfather was said to have had the letters patent amended, the official documents that make you a peer or something along those lines, so that gran could inherit the title. She was his only child at that point so it was a logical move. The title should have passed down to her, on down the line to me. Somehow Oliver was able to make a claim and won in court against my gran. The amended papers were lost and this is where it gets really strange and convoluted. Again, Christine’s voice trailed off, and Bianca could see Christine was still trying to make sense of it all in her head.

Well, great-gran took everything she was allowed to from the house when she left. That included her sewing patterns. For some reason her daughter, my gran, always believed the amended letters patent was in the sleeves of one of the sewing patterns. She used to spend hours combing through this great pile of them. Especially towards the end when she was developing dementia. I can still remember watching her dig through them, muttering to herself. In the end it never really mattered to me, Mum and Dad made a great life for my sister and I and we never wanted for anything. Now they’re just a bit of history for me, a curiosity, and hold no monetary value. I really don’t think anyone would want them except enthusiasts. Christine finished.

What if the family thought you’d found the letters patent, is that what you called them? Bianca paused and when Christina nodded she continued. Would they have to follow the letters now, do you think?

I’m sure I have no idea. I don’t know what the laws would be but as I said, I really have no interest in the matter. I’ve never even met that side of the family and they’re welcome to whatever the title brings them. I’ve provided for my daughter just as well as any Lord can and it’s just not worth the bother.

Bianca thought she’d much rather be an official Lady and had a moment of fantasy about tea parties with ladies dressed in long white dresses and large hats with long feathers poking out of the brims. Sighing she let the fantasy go as she saw a customer heading into her shop.

I have to go for now, Christine, but we should talk about this more later. I think you may be on to something with this. Bianca said as she let herself out of Christine’s shop and headed to her own.

Bianca had a good sales day and stayed too busy to do much investigating but she did pop over to check on Christine between customers. Her friend started to look a bit stressed by the end of the day but she still had a smile on her face. Christine had been attacked, in her own shop, and this was her first full week back at work, stress was inevitable.

Bianca thought her friend was very brave to even go back to the shop much less open it back up. Other people would buckle after such a trauma and wouldn’t be able to handle walking back into the place where their own mortality was so blatantly showed to them. Bianca shivered every time she thought of how easily the attacker could have killed Christine. The person had hit the woman over the head twice; their intent wasn’t simply to stun but to do some damage. Wiping a tear from her eye Bianca opened her laptop, determined to find some kind of answers.

The only true lead she had at the moment was the family tie. The police had found no fingerprints in Christine’s shop, no DNA bearing hair strands or skin flakes, or any of the other identity revealing clues criminals always left behind in police TV shows or films. There was no dropped identification card or taunting letter left behind. Nothing but a woman with a lot of determination and some missing items in her store that had to deal with the aftermath of her nightmares without complaining.

Bianca’s respect for Christine grew day by day, spurring her on to find answers for her friend. There wasn’t much she could do to protect the woman without looking like some kind of freak stalker, but she could investigate the only clue there was and that was this family squabble aspect. Reaching for her laptop Bianca began to search for more clues about Christine’s family history.

An hour later, well after closing time, all of the other shops in the street had gone dark, Bianca sat back in her chair with the certainty that if the family had nothing to do with the attack on Christine they at least had a lot of explaining to do. She gave Christine a ring and picked up her bag before heading out to the train. She needed to tell her friend what she’d discovered so far.

As she sat at the platform waiting for the train to arrive Bianca told Christine what she’d learned so far.

It really is your title! You’re supposed to be a Countess, Christine, a real live Countess! Bianca blurted quietly into her phone. She had earbuds in her ears so she could hear Christine privately but her responses could still be overheard.

Oh, Bianca, I told you I don’t care about any of that. I really don’t. It would be nice to meet them though, they are family, after all. Christine’s voice said over the line.

"I know but it’s the only lead we have at the moment. I found newspaper articles online about the case and from all reports your great-great grandfather really did have the letters patent amended. I still don’t know how it would work out legally but that title should have been yours. If for nothing more than the historical awesomeness of your old granddad having the forethought and enough modern thinking to realize that women should be allowed to inherit peerages. From what I can tell from my online research, women are still not allowed to inherit most peerages unless it is written into the letters patent or the letters were amended, as you great-great grandfather had done. There is still no value to any of the documents, I suppose, but they are historically significant. And of course there’s the legal claim if you ever change your mind." Bianca finished.

I suppose I need to contact them. Perhaps, and I don’t believe it, but if it’s one of them that attacked me perhaps my assurances that I will make no claim on the title will ensure it ends. Because that is my main fear, that it wasn’t a random act, that it could happen again, or happen when I have Charlie with me. I’ve been terrified to bring her to work with me ever since that day. What if she witnesses something like that or is hurt? I could never live with something like that. Christine was all but sobbing at the end.

It won’t happen again, Christine, not if I can help it. I’ll find a way to contact them and we’ll arrange a meeting, alright? Clara and I can go with you, make sure everything is above aboard and that you come to no harm. I’ll get started as soon as I get home; my train is arriving now so I’ll ring you later, alright? Love you, Christine, bye! Bianca hung up her phone and hopped on the train, hoping she hadn’t just fibbed to one of her best friends.

CHAPTER 3

Bianca managed to find some contact information for the head of Christine’s estranged family and passed the information along to her. Using ancestry websites, scouring forums, and emailing produced pictures, documents, and even a few scanned letters that Bianca thought Christine might enjoy solely because they had to do with her friend’s ancestors. She printed the items out, prepared a folder, and went out to catch the train the next morning with a smile on her face. There were still monkeys to worry over in a circus that wasn’t necessarily hers but she was determined to help wrangle those monkeys up for Christine.

As Bianca sat on the train she thought over what she’d accomplished so far. It wasn’t much really, more busy work than anything, but she had produced some information for her friend. She’d found pictures of her ancestors and letters but no answers to who had attacked her. Bianca considered whether she was the worst detective in the history of detecting as her train pulled up to the station nearest her shop. Getting off she looked around and wondered if she needed to purchase an overcoat, a fedora, and perhaps she should take up smoking.

That’s what all of the old film detectives wore, after all. Bianca laughed as the picture popped into her head but dismissed it all, especially the smoking part. That just wasn’t going to work for her. She might need to lose a few pounds but adding damaged lungs and smelly hair to the mix just didn’t appeal to her.

Bianca’s first stop was to get coffee at the café and then to go to her friend Clara’s shop. Clara’s mother was in and drying baby Selena’s blankets and nappy bag off.

I really don’t understand what all of that steam is about next door. Every time we come here we get soaked with it. The woman was muttering.

Bianca gave the woman a hug and turned to Clara. So we need to go with Christine when she heads out to meet her family. Have you heard from her this morning?

Yes, she had to take Charlie to the doctor, she has a bit of a temperature, but she’s coming in later. She’s also managed to speak with Roger Bentley, her cousin, and has arranged a meeting for this evening. I’ve rearranged my date to tomorrow so it’ll be fine. Clara said with a blush.

Oh, are things heating up with the shoe-buying loverman then? Bianca asked, pleased with her friend’s romance.

You could say that. Clara said with a mysterious smile and a twinkle in her eye.

Good for you then! And how is my lovely little Selena today? Bianca asked, picking the darling child up.

She’s talking more; she can say mummy, cup, and truck for some reason. I think Mum’s been watching too many American programs around her. Mum loves all of those reality programs with the sport utility vehicles and ATVs or whatever they’re called. Selena’s starting to pick up the lingo. Clara laughed.

I suppose that’s not a bad thing, as long as you can say Aunty Bianca before too long, huh my precious? Bianca spent a few more minutes playing with the baby girl before handing her back to her mother and saying her goodbyes.

A few hours later she watched as Christine went in and opened her own shop. It had been a slow day for Bianca so she left the door open and walked over to Christine’s.

You alright my love? Bianca called in as she walked through the door.

Yes, just nervous. What should I wear? I know they aren’t royalty but I don’t want to give them cause to sneer at me or think they deserve what they have more than I do. Oh, I’m so nervous Bianca? How about we go shopping? Please? I need a dress that will boost my confidence and give me some backbone! Christine pleaded with her friend, her deep brown eyes two pools of puppy-dog begging cuteness.

Oh, alright. Let me see if Clara wants to go as well. Give me five minutes to close up and we’ll see how much we can get done before we have to meet your high-brow family.

Several hours later and the three friends were all sitting in a cosy little tea shop having small pastries and discussing how well the other one looked. They’d all splurged a little and had a bit of work done to their hair and makeup. Christine’s look was the most dramatic.

Christine had her light brown hair lightened to a very pale shade of blonde and the thick tresses had been cut to a shoulder length bob that framed Christine’s face perfectly. Her brown eyes had been highlighted with makeup and her face was done beautifully with a deep red lipstick that matched her new calf-length wool wraparound dress. A pair of brown leather boots finished off her ensemble.

Bianca had gone for a dark green bodycon dress. Even on her fuller frame the dress was complimentary and highlighted her best parts. She’d had her dark brown hair cut in layers that somehow made her hair look like it had been darkened and the effect was stunning. Clara had on one of Christine’s creations and while she’d had her hair trimmed she’d not gone as far into the makeover spree as Bianca and Christine had. She didn’t want to change too much about her appearance.

I remember when Champagne had all of her hair cut off and put in pink highlights on the tips. Selena had a fit and wouldn’t go near her for a week! I don’t want to do the same thing to my poor child. She ended with a laugh. Her friends joined her in the laughter but then they all calmed down.

It’s time I suppose? Christine asked, her nervousness suddenly resurfacing.

Yes, it is dearie. Are you ready? Bianca asked.

As ready as I’ll ever be, let’s go before I lose my nerve. Christine said as she gathered her bags and they all headed to Clara’s car.

Sorry I don’t have anything fancier, Christine, but it’ll get us there. Clara said.

I just appreciate the drive, I’m not sure I can do it today. Christine said appreciatively.

I think my car will be finished next week. Bianca chimed in. The part is supposed to be on order, at least. I am getting tired of riding the train, even if it is saving me on fuel costs.

I’ll feel much better when you’re back in your own car! Clara told Bianca, looking over at her friend in the passenger seat. I do so worry about you on that train!

Yes, Mum. I’m working on it. But thank you for the concern, Clara, really. Bianca replied.

We’re all so lucky to have each other, Christine chimed in from the back seat.

We are, I don’t know what I’d do without you two! Clara said, getting onto the motorway smoothly and without the stress that Bianca normally felt. She admired Clara’s calm while driving.

The truth was driving made Bianca incredibly nervous but she didn’t want to admit that to anyone. She would prefer to be one of those women that was driven around everywhere simply because she was terrified of hitting someone, or the car breaking down. She enjoyed her freedom and she’d made herself learn to drive but that didn’t mean she had to enjoy it!

Before long Clara was following her GPS down a country road and up a long driveway to a rather large country estate. Bianca gawped at the splendour of the three story home she was looking up at. With lights ablaze to stave off the darkness outside, the granite and marble mansion was a thing to behold.

This was supposed to be yours? And you’re giving it up? Bianca gasped.

Yes. Who wants the utility bills? Imagine trying to keep this monstrosity warm? No, I don’t need the headache, not at all. Christine said while climbing out of the backseat. Standing up on solid ground she straightened her dress, pushed her shoulders back and looked over at her friends before plastering her fake smile on her face.

At the moment that smile said, Why don’t you just die so I can go back to my peaceful life, but Bianca knew it would mellow as she walked into the house. She hoped.

Bianca’s own nerves were starting to get the best of her as they waited in what Bianca assumed was some kind of receiving room. There was so much light, dark wood, dark furniture, and dark decorations that she felt almost blind. Everything kind of blended altogether and while each woman had her own rather antique and expensive looking chair the display of wealth was just a tad nauseating. These were people of breeding but they had awful taste.

Finally she heard the door knob turning and turned to see who was entering the room. It had made them all uncomfortable when the butler, yes butler, had shown them into the room then shut the door. All three women looked at each other with grimaces on their faces. None of them had spoken however; they simply sat in silence trying to take in their surroundings. Bianca suspected the move was designed to be intimidating and straightened her backbone a little as the door opened. If she kept doing that she was going to start bending the wrong way trying to keep her back ramrod straight. That’d be impressive, she thought, as two men came into the room.

One was an older man, white haired and tall, rather distinguished looking with Christine’s brown eyes. A trimmed moustache finished off the debonair look that went with the grey suit he wore and the shiny black brogues on his feet. The younger one was the spitting image of Christine, her double in male form. Bianca wasn’t sure but judging from her seated position it appeared they may have even been the same height. Christine was a very tall woman, after all. Wow, hot, Bianca thought, though she felt a little weird over an instant attraction to a man that looked just like her best friend.

Good evening, ladies, I’m Roger Bentley, this is my son Oliver Bentley. The older man introduced himself pleasantly to the ladies that were now standing before him.

Bianca’s left eyebrow quirked at the name and she looked over to see if Christine reacted to it. Nothing. Cool as a cucumber. Good. This might not go too badly then. The name was astonishing though, and rather disingenuous considering the original all but stole the title that allowed the current Oliver to live in such luxury. Taking a quiet but deep breath Bianca held out her hand when it was her turn for introductions and stated her name with a smile for both men.

A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Cooper. Oliver said as he bowed over her hand.

Bianca smiled and turned to Clara as she introduced herself to the men.

That is a stunning dress you are wearing, Ms. Morgan, I’ve never seen one quite like it. Oliver said to Clara, which Bianca thought was a bit forward.

And you won’t soon see another like it, Christine created it for me. Clara said with some pride in her friend.

A lovely and talented cousin then. Good for you, Christine. Oliver said with a smile in Christine’s direction.

Both men carried the tag of distinguished quite well, Bianca observed, as she tried to squash her attraction to Oliver. He just looked so much like Christine. But he may have been the one that harmed Christine, she reminded herself, so stop it!

May I get you ladies a drink? Oliver asked and the ladies all asked for plain water which he delivered on a silver tray.

I’m sorry we are meeting under such strange circumstances, Christine, but I want to assure you we mean you no harm in any way. If you can prove that you have a right to the estate we will gladly walk away without any fuss. Roger assured Christine as he took a seat on a dark brown and gilt sofa, pulling his trouser legs so they wouldn’t stretch over his knees.

That’s what I’ve come to tell you, though, cousin. I don’t want any of it. Charlie, Charlotte my daughter, may later in life I can’t really speak for her now, but I’d be more than willing to sign away my own rights. This life, though it does appear to be beautiful, is just not for me. Christine’s voice was firm and decisive as she spoke, leaving little doubt to her veracity.

How very extraordinary. No claim at all? Roger asked, perplexed.

None. I provide for myself and have done for a long time. My parents never left me feeling neglected. I have no interest in the estate but I do in family. That I would like to repair but as for the estate, it’s simply not my cup of tea and it’s not a lifestyle I would choose for my daughter. Christine’s point was made, how they took it was up to them and from the look on her face Bianca knew she didn’t care how they took her statements.

I met your grandmother once, you know, Christine. Roger said with a pleased smile. Bianca bristled slightly. She was a lovely, gracious woman and you remind me of her. I understand what you mean and take your offering for what it is. We would be happy to welcome your family into the family, and make you welcome. Now please, relax for a moment. We truly mean you no harm.

Christine seemed to tense even more for a moment as Bianca watched her then she relaxed and a genuine smile came over her face. That would be lovely. It truly would.

Good, we’re having a dinner party in a few weeks, why don’t you bring your mother and your lovely friends here with you? We can send you the details later. Roger said.

We’ll consider it, thank you cousin. Do you want to take any legal action, have me sign any papers or anything? Christine asked.

Not at the moment, no, I don’t think that’s necessary. Though it would be nice if we could find out one way or another what exactly happened. Oliver and I are going through all of the family’s historical documents but we’ve yet to find anything. It’s just a matter of principle now because if my grandfather swindled your great-grandmother I do believe we owe you an apology at the very least. Roger stated.

It would be nice to know, yes. Poor grandmother would be pleased to know we’d found something out, I’m sure, if she were still alive. Christine said and the pair continued chatting as Bianca’s gaze swung back to the younger Oliver.

She hadn’t noticed it before but when he turned his head she could see some bruising around his temple and a slight scratch around his ear. Bianca’s senses went back into high alert and her hands clenched in her lap. Christine had not said anything about fighting back but she couldn’t remember exactly what happened. It was possible she fought back and if the bruises were any indication Oliver had recently been in some kind of scrape.

Hoping her pleading look was surreptitious Bianca looked over at Christine, making a slight it’s time to go motion. Christine seemed to catch it because she finally made her excuses and Clara, Bianca, and Christine stood to leave.

I hate to leave already but we have to drive back to the city and Clara has to be up early. I also need to check on Charlie, she’s taken ill. Thank you for seeing us, here’s my card. Do keep in touch. Christine was always so gracious Bianca thought as she watched her friends, a smile of goodbye on her own face.

Nice to meet you gentlemen, goodnight. She said as she all but ran out to the car.

Did you notice the bruises on Oliver’s face? She asked as Clara drove them away from the estate, well out of earshot.

Yes, I did and I’m not completely convinced by Roger’s graciousness and good manners. Let’s see what we can find out about him, shall we? Christine said from the backseat again.

My phone isn’t getting a signal out here but I’ll definitely start looking when I get home. Something is definitely not right with him. He could be behind it all without his father knowing about it. I’m certain Roger is clueless but I’m not so sure about Oliver. Bianca said, feeling like she’d betrayed her friend with her interest in Oliver. She usually trusted her gut instinct but this time her gut instinct seemed to be too hormonal to make sense. She’d know soon enough, she thought as she stared into the darkness along the motorway.

Later that evening, after a long hot shower and putting on a warm flannel nightgown, Bianca settled into her pillow top mattress, one of the luxuries she’d indulged in, with her light lemon yellow duvet across her legs, and began to hunt down any information she could on one Oliver Bentley. There wasn’t much to be found but she did find a clipping from an old newspaper. A very interesting clipping. Picking up her mobile, she texted Christine.

He was arrested in 1998 for burglary.

Not a whole minute later she got a reply back.

Anything come of it?

No, he was released and there’s no other mention I can find.

Keep digging then. I’m still not convinced but who knows?

Putting the phone down, she went back to digging. Oliver had a doctoral degree in philosophy, had tenure at the local university, and was a member of several social clubs. He was also on the board of several charity organizations. Not the kind of person one would normally suspect of assault then. Feeling like she was banging her head into a brick wall Bianca set the laptop to play a film and settled down to sleep. She didn’t think she’d find anything else out tonight and it was getting late. She wanted so desperately to help Christine but she was failing miserably. The image of a fedora and overcoat came back into her mind as she drifted off to sleep. She dreamed she was being chased through a dark alley all night, always being hounded and never getting far enough away to hide.

CHAPTER 4

The next morning Bianca, Detective Un-extraordinaire, admitted defeat and called Constable Tom Goins. After a night of nightmares and tossing and turning she had to admit she was not a great detective and gave in. She gave him the little bit of information she had and admitted that no; they couldn’t convict the fella on a hunch and conjecture.

I know you’re trying to help, Bianca, but you can’t do this alone. Let me see what I can find out alright? You just relax, it’s the weekend so take a day, go enjoy it with Clara and Christine, and get your minds off of it. I’ll let you know if I find anything out.

Bianca knew Constable Goins would do his best for them all, he was friends with Clara after all, and she thought that maybe he was right. They needed to get away for a day. Clear their heads, have a laugh, and maybe come back at this with fresh minds. That sounded like a good plan to her. Picking up her mobile she sent texts to Clara and Christine to grab their babies and come to her house, they were having a girl’s day out.

Charlie pranced around in Bianca’s floor, trying to convince baby Selena, barely ten months old, to do the same. Bianca smiled, glad they’d decided against going out. The miserable weather had been the deciding factor and the ladies stayed in watching really bad movies instead. It was a favourite activity for the ladies, they’d sit watching something really bad and they’d see who could make the funniest, most sarcastic remark. Hilarity usually ensued and this time it was no different.

Oh, come on, that girl couldn’t escape out of a wet paper bag if she had to, how’s she going to figure out how to find her way in a country she’s never even been to? Clara asked after the girl became lost on the subway, despite maps being placed conveniently everywhere she went.

They were watching a comedy about a hapless girl who became lost while on vacation. The acting was bad, the scenery chosen at random, and the scripts were horrible. It was almost too bad to watch but the ladies were trying for each other. Dinner was some incredibly unhealthy pizza, something they indulged in once a month, a bottle of wine between them, and some really nice chocolate cake. The night ended with happy bellies, smiling faces, and a feeling of kinship and belonging for all of the ladies. Bianca looked at them all, sleeping in her guest room and on the pull-out couch, before heading to her own room and smiled. Yes, she might be a bad detective but she wouldn’t stop trying until Christine’s attacker was found. Because Christine was her sister, her family, just like Clara, and she’d go to battle for either of them.

Bianca set off on Monday knowing that this would be her last train ride for a while. She was going later to pick her car up from the shop and she wouldn’t be needing the train then. She loved the soothing motion of the train though and the time to think things over in the mornings and evenings. Maybe I’ll just start taking the train during the work week anyway, she thought, save the fuel costs. She smiled as she got off at her stop and said goodbye to the station.

She was feeling especially sentimental after the weekend with her friends and knew it was making her sappy. Still, she hummed a happy song as she let herself into her shop and looked over her inventory, making notes and plans for two new designs she’d created while in bed last night. She had a material perfect for the bigger one but she’d have to find something to go with the smaller one. Looking out she saw Clara unlocking her door from across the street and went to pick up her phone before it rang.

Hello sweetness, everything alright on your side this morning? Bianca asked giggling. It still tickled her that she knew just when the phone would ring.

Yes, but Mum is complaining about that steam again. One of these days I’ll have to find out what that’s about. Clara said as if she were distracted. Bianca heard Selena chortling in the background and knew Clara must be playing with the baby.

Oh, customer at twelve o’clock. Call me back later when she’s gone. Bianca rang off and went back to doing her planning.

Bianca saw Christine stepping into her shop and waved as she passed Bianca’s windows. She smiled happily and went back to her plans. She was reaching for the phone to call Christine when her phone rang. Thinking it was Christine she answered the phone.

Hello, dearie, you’re looking lovely today! She said brightly into the shop phone.

Well thank you Ms. Cooper, but it’s the same old uniform I usually wear. Tom Goins said on the other end.

Feeling her face heat up Bianca quickly apologized and asked what Tom had found out.

I needed that laugh this morning, Ms. Cooper. I’m afraid I don’t have anything useful. The burglary Mr. Bentley was involved with was a school prank and they paid a fine and did some community service to make amends. As for the bruising and scratch, well, it seems the man was in a car accident the day Ms. Bentley was attacked. His head hit the steering wheel and shattering glass caused the scratches. So he has an alibi and is cleared of any suspicion on that front. Mainly because the accident took place in Scotland, he couldn’t have made it to Ms. Bentley’s shop as he was in A&E at the time she was attacked.

Bianca wondered why he hadn’t mentioned that the night they were there but perhaps they assumed the women knew about it. Either way, that was definitely a dead end. Thanking the constable she hung up the phone and went back to her now routine habit of pondering the situation. Bianca thought the attack could have been random but the theft of the patterns seemed to be so important here. Feeling incredibly defeated Bianca watched as the older woman she’d seen entering Clara’s shop earlier made her way to Bianca’s.

The woman entered and Bianca welcomed her in. It’s a lovely day isn’t it?

Oh yes, yes it is. The sun is shining and it’s unseasonably warm today. I almost regret wearing this heavy old coat it’s so warm. The woman said as she looked around the shop.

Short and round the woman’s hair must have been very long judging by the bun pinned at the back of her head. She was quite a strikingly lovely woman, even at her age, and Bianca was thinking she hoped she looked that good at that age. Bianca did notice a hint of stress around the woman’s eyes though, as if something was troubling her. She didn’t want to be nosy so she allowed the woman to look in peace and answered any questions she had about the bags.

Oh, you make them yourself do you? You have a very wonderful talent then. Do you use patterns? The woman asked.

It was a common question and compliment, Bianca took them in stride and answered amiably. No, well, I create the patterns so if I want to make more I can have the same measurements. But I don’t buy the patterns, no. They’re all from my head. My Mum taught me to sew when I was a young girl and I kept at it. I was lucky and people started buying them well before I finished school. I had enough money saved by then to open my own shop and I’m still here today.

That’s very lovely! I’m so glad to hear stories about young people using their talents to get by today. It’s so easy to just go into a shop and work or a factory, there’s no creativity, no room for inventiveness. I’m glad you’re doing well. Most of these are out of my reach though but they are lovely items and I’ll be sure to tell my friends about them. The woman said as she made to leave the store.

You said your mother taught you to sew. The woman said suddenly, turning back from the door.

Yes, we spent many evenings creating curtains, clothes, anything that you could make with cloth we made it. Bianca said proudly.

You wouldn’t happen to be missing some patterns by any chance, would you? The woman asked, looking away from Bianca quickly.

Bianca’s blood chilled and she stared at the older woman. Surely this old lady hadn’t been Christine’s attacker? Surely not, her arms would break if she’d tried to hit Christine with that much force!

Bianca couldn’t keep the concern and confusion from her face and her eyebrows came together as she looked at the woman.

No, but a friend of mine is. I can introduce you to her if you’d like? Bianca didn’t just want to send the woman over to Christine in case she was stronger than she appeared. The woman’s wrists were so frail though that Bianca was astonished the woman’s old-fashioned heavy handbag hadn’t snapped them like twigs already. What a very strange situation, Bianca thought to herself.

Oh, maybe tomorrow. I believe I’ve had enough excitement for one day. Thank you very much for answering an old woman’s questions. Good day. The old woman said before hurrying out of the door.

Bianca ran out to the street and watched the woman get into an old vintage car she remembered seeing the week Christine was attacked. This could not be a coincidence. Thinking quickly she pulled her mobile out of her pocket, turned on the camera, and snapped the woman’s number plate. She watched as the car drove off and knocked on Christine’s window. She knew her friend would want to know about what had just happened.

That evening as the ladies sat in Clara’s shop and waited for Constable Goins to arrive they talked over the events of the day while eating out of several boxes of Indian food. They’d all ordered something different so they could share and Bianca was still using her poppadoms to enjoy the chutney from her pickle tray offerings.

So the case is solved then? She asked around her last bite of the crisp potato treat.

Yes, I guess so. Constable Goins is coming by to get statements from us all and he’ll be able to tell us more when he…oh, here he is now. Clara said as the constable tapped on her locked door to be allowed in. Clara opened the door with a kiss on the cheek for a greeting and the two walked back into the shop.

Bianca sighed, thinking again of just how handsome the constable was. He batted for the other side, however, so he was off limits. His partner, Greg, was just as handsome and sigh-inducing Bianca thought before the policeman started to speak to the ladies.

"That was very good thinking, Ms. Cooper. That number in your picture led us to Mrs. Mildred Bynum, a pensioner on the other side of town. I’m glad you were able to text it to me so quickly too. Apparently she was a member of Ms. Bentley’s sewing forum group and saw the offering for copies of the pattern. She left her computer open to that page one day and her grandson saw it. He thought the patterns were valuable because of their age and decided to