Amanda Cadabra and The Hidden Depths by Holly Bell (best love novels of all time txt) 📕

glimpse of Clemo and Flossie exchanging a meaningful smile.

‘Actually,’ he continued. ‘It’s in connection with that, that I’m hoping you may be able to help. Perhaps we could have a chat after dinner?’

‘No time like the present, little lad,’ replied Granddad, with a wave of his fork.

‘Well, I was wondering if you could help me to make a list of all the people over say, forty, who were living or working in Parhayle around the time the van containing the Cardiubarn family went over the cliff.’

‘Possible suspects?’ asked Clemo with interest.

‘There were certain people we think may have been involved in the incident. I’m looking for anyone who might have noticed certain cars that day.’

‘Which cars?’ asked Flossie.

‘Lady Flamgoyne’s, for one.’

‘Your great-grandmother then,’ commented Granddad.

‘I prefer to think of her as a suspect.’

‘Like most people in these parts,’ remarked Gran, ‘we prefer not thinkin’ of her at all!’

‘Quite. Also, the car belonging to her son, Hedrok Flamgoyne. It’s possible that he could have played a crucial role. Who might remember seeing a Rolls or a Bentley that day? Shopkeepers, shoppers? Can you think of anyone?’

Clemo shook his head.

‘The shopkeepers would be busy. Fair few emmets that time ‘o year.’

‘Tourists wouldn’t be easy to trace, o’course,’ Gran observed.

‘Even if someone did see a Flamgoyne car, it wouldn’t be that out of the ordinary that anyone would remember after all this time. But, I'lltellywot, we’ll ask about,’ Clemo added helpfully.

***

Trelawney’s staff had put photographs of the Rolls Royce and the Bentley on social media and asked local residents. Three days later, the inspector received an anonymous letter.

If you want information concerning a certain vehicle, come alone to the Cosy Coast Cafe on Friday at 1 pm. Tell no one.

A well-wisher

The postmark was … local.

***

‘Walnut Whips?’ Claire Ruggieri, Amanda’s best friend of many years standing, looked at The Corner Shop proprietor with a beseeching smile.

‘None to be had in Thailand, then?’ asked Joan sympathetically.

Claire shook her chocolate brown bob sorrowfully. ‘Alas, not that I could find. Mrs Sharma, you do have them, don’t you?’

‘Of course. I ordered some as soon as I knew you were coming home. I got them out as soon as you got back,’ Nalini Sharma replied serenely.

‘I didn’t get in until late last night,’ marvelled Claire.

‘Filming all done, is it, dearie?’ asked Sylvia.

‘Good grief, I hope so,’ replied Claire fervently.

‘Do you think it will do as well as Blockbuster I?’ asked Dennis.

‘I don’t know. The director has tried to slip in a whole load of words with more than one syllable!’ she remarked, deep blue eyes a-sparkle with mischief.

Sylvia clapped her hands and laughed. ‘Oh, Claire, you are a caution. Don’t knock yer work. That film’s all right. Lots of people get a good laugh out of it.’

‘Yes, mainly at the bits that aren’t meant to be funny.’

‘It appeals to simple tastes,’ Dennis put in hastily, ‘and I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with that.’

‘Thank you, all. The main thing is that it made an obscene amount of money, and if Blockbuster II does as well, it’ll pay off most of my mortgage, and I can, at last, be a producer on projects I can feel proud of.’

‘Are you here long enough for the party?’ asked Joan.

Claire’s brightened.

‘Party?’

‘For the launch of the biography of that nice John Bailey.’

‘I’ll definitely pop in. He’s rather a dish. Still dangling after Amanda?’

‘Speaking of which, Claire, dear,’ interjected Mrs Sharma, ‘could you please let her know that her Feline Feast order of tinned dressed lobster has arrived?’

‘Will do. Are we ready, then? For the festivities? Need any help?’

‘Mrs Sharma has had a crate of juices delivered to the library,’ said Sylvia.

‘The Big Tease is doing vegetarian quiche, hors d‘oeuvres and jam tarts,’ chipped in Joan, ‘and my Jim is baking a cake.’

‘The Snout and Trough is sending over some Cava,’ added Dennis.

‘The Sinner’s Rue is providing sausage rolls, pork pies and Scotch eggs.’ Nalini listed. ‘Jonathan said trestle tables and bunting are coming up from the stacks,’ she added, referring to the library basement.

‘Highly efficient,’ Claire complimented them, paying for her chocolates. ‘I’ll go and give Amanda your message, Mrs Sharma. See you there, then.’

‘Bye, Claire!’

***

‘They all sounded very excited. And no wonder. The village celebrity, no less. Or one of them,’ Claire reported. She was being ushered down the hall and into Amanda’s sitting-room, after an enthusiastic welcome home from her best friend.

‘Yes, we’re all a-buzz,’ agreed her host.

‘Here!’ Claire suddenly produced an elegantly wrapped package from behind her back and presented it to Amanda.

‘What’s this?’ she asked curiously.

‘A coming-home present,’ replied Claire jauntily.

Amanda laughed. ‘Isn’t that something I should get for you?’

‘Seeing you is my present, darling.’

‘As mine is seeing you,’ Amanda answered warmly ‘I do hope it’s not some outrageously expensive designer item that you’re going to pretend you bought for yourself and have decided you don’t like.’

‘No, I had this made especially for you. Made-to-measure is very reasonable out there in Thailand. Now go on, open it.’

From within the folds of tissue paper, Amanda drew out a fit-and-very-flared dress composed of broad strips of elasticated fabric, with a scoop neck and long sleeves.

‘Oh, it’s orange!’

‘What else but your favourite colour.’

‘Bandage dress? Plenty of material in the skirt, oh it’s lovely!

‘I had pockets added. I know how wild you are about them.’

‘It’s perfect. Thank you!’ Amanda hugged her friend.

‘This is for the library do. You can wear it with your favourite earrings and your Mary Jane heels.’

‘It’s just a village party. I don’t want to look overdressed,’ Amanda mentioned cautiously.

‘You are honouring the occasion,’ Claire pointed out with mock gravity. ‘For our little Sunken Madley, I’m sure it’s going to be quite the event!’

Chapter 13

High Adventure, and a Play

The library party was the hot topic throughout the village, including The Big Tease. This much-patronised establishment, run by Julian and Alexander, supplied its customers with a range of homemade staples and delicacies throughout the day.

The subject of the approaching event