Page 15 of A Poisonous Plot

“You can wait and see how the first couple of weeks go,” Flynn said. “Then employ someone if you need help. I’ll help on opening day.”

“Me too,” Seren said.

“Thanks.” She exhaled a dramatic breath. “I think I need a drink.”

They ordered food as well, deciding they’d earned a pub lunch, then chatted with Seren in between her serving customers.

“I wanted to ask you something,” Lily said across the bar once they’d finished eating.

“What is it?” Seren asked.

“What do you know about Glynis?” Lily scrunched her nose up, realising she didn’t know her last name or much about her at all. “You know the woman who calls into the shop for ice creams in the mornings?”

“Glynis Ward? She’s such a sweetie. And she’s totally my role model. I want to be her when I’m in my eighties. I swear she’s fitter than I am.”

“She’s great,” Lily said. “Do you happen to have her phone number? I haven’t seen her in a few days, and she specifically said she’d be coming into the shop. I’m a little worried about her.”

Seren shook her head. “I don’t have her number, but I could probably find it out. I know where she lives.”

“That works,” Lily said. “I can call in and check she’s okay.”

“I hope she’s all right.” Seren got her phone out to send Lily the address. “Now that you mention it, I haven’t seen her in a few days either, which is unusual.”

“I’m sure she’s fine,” Lily said. “And she has a carer living with her, so it’s not as though she’s alone.”

“A carer?” Seren’s eyebrows inched upwards. “Are we talking about the same person? I reckon Glynis would have strong objections to needing a carer.”

“She introduced me to her at the garden centre the other day.” Lily frowned as she tried to recall her name. “Maria. I think she said she’s just been helping Glynis for a few months.”

“Okay, that’s even more worrying. Maybe her health isn’t as good as she claims.”

“I’ll call in and check on her,” Lily said as the message came through with the address.

Chapter Seven

In the end,Lily waited until the following day before she went in search of Glynis. She didn’t have to go far. The quaint cottage on the outskirts of Hugh Town was only a five-minute walk from the ice cream shop. With her mind on the upcoming opening of the shop, she was almost at the house when she registered the ambulance parked outside.

A jolt of concern twisted her stomach, and she quickened her pace. Her eyes snagged on the dark-haired woman standing in the open doorway.

“Hi,” Lily called out as she reached the front path. “We met the other day at the garden centre. Maria, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” Maria glanced over her shoulder, into the house, then her eyes darted back to Lily. “Can I help you with something?”

“I’m looking for Glynis. She hasn’t been to visit me for a few days and I wanted to check on her.” Her eyes darted to the ambulance. “Is she okay?”

“She’s ill.” Maria shifted her weight, her hands fidgeting on the strap of the large bag slung over her shoulder. “Now’s not a good time.”

“What happened?” Lily asked, looking around Maria into the house.

Reaching into her blouse, Maria pulled out a delicate gold chain and clutched at the pendant. “She’s been ill for a few days. Some kind of stomach bug.”

“Is it serious?”

Maria gave a twitchy shake of her head. “The doctor wants her to go into the hospital so she can monitor her.”

“That doesn’t sound great.”

“She hasn’t been able to keep anything down, so the doctor was concerned about dehydration.” Her voice wobbled. “I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

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