Page 20 of A Poisonous Plot

“How’s work?” Kit asked Denzel when they stopped in front of the shop and Lily balanced the raspberries to retrieve her key.

“Same old,” Denzel told him. “Keeps me out of mischief.”

“If you have time, could you call over and give me some advice about our garden?” Kit asked.

“Yeah.” Denzel shifted his weight. “Sorry, I told you I’d do that ages ago. It’s my busiest time of year at the moment. Life’s been hectic.”

“No worries,” Kit said. “You can also just call over for a coffee. I don’t think you’ve seen the decking since we finished it. And you won’t have seen the new bathroom upstairs.”

Lily finally got the door open and held it for Denzel and Kit.

“I’ll pop in sometime,” Denzel said vaguely.

“Any time,” Kit told him. “Just call over.”

“I’ll try.” Denzel slid the tray of strawberries onto the counter. “I’m afraid I have to dash off. I was on my way to a job.”

“Thanks for your help,” Lily said, setting the raspberries down.

At the door, he raised a hand to wave and was gone without another word.

“I think I annoyed him,” Kit said.

“Denzel?” Lily asked. “I take it you know him well?”

“Yeah. I’ve known him for as long as I can remember. He used to work with my dad sometimes.”

“Why would he be annoyed with you?”

“When Seren and I first got the house, he used to come and help me out with renovations. We needed all the help we could get, so I always took him up on any offer to help, but I may have asked too often because recently he always makes excuses.” His shoulders rose and fell as he sighed. “I don’t even care about him helping. I just enjoyed hanging out with him. He has all these stories about my dad that I’ve never heard before.” He shrugged. “I liked hearing his stories.”

“I imagine that would be nice.” For a moment, Lily’s thoughts drifted to her own parents. “I barely remember my parents, and I don’t know anyone who knew them. It’d be nice to hear stories about them.”

“Sorry,” Kit said. “I didn’t mean to bring the mood down.”

“It’s fine.” She smiled sadly. “I get it, though. I’ll bet it’s interesting to hear about your dad from someone who isn’t family. Denzel would have known a different side to your dad, I guess.”

“Yeah.” Kit nodded emphatically. “That’s exactly it.”

“He said he was busy,” Lily remarked. “I’m sure it’s just that.”

“Maybe.” Kit didn’t sound convinced. “Anyway, I was on my way to meet Seren for lunch. Do you want to join us?”

“I’d better not.” She gestured to the fruit on the countertop. “I have a lot of work to do.”

She’d make a couple of batches of ice cream, then she’d head over to the hospital and see if she could get an update on Glynis.

Chapter Nine

“CouldI just see her for a few minutes?” Lily pleaded with the grey-haired receptionist at the hospital who’d refused to give her any information.

“I’m sorry, but I can only let immediate family in.”

“Does Glynis even have immediate family on the island?” Lily asked, leaning onto the desk.

“Unfortunately not.” The soft voice drew Lily’s attention to the doctor in a white coat, who smiled as she approached. “Her son has been in touch, but he lives in Manchester and can’t make it over here in the next few days.”

Lily straightened. “Surely having visitors would be good for her.”

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