Page 61 of New Beginnings at the Little Christmas Inn
Livvy forced a laugh. ‘Don’t worry. I’m used to being here on my own. Having Angel around has helped. Speaking of which, here she comes.’ The springer scurried into the bar and nose-butted her knees. ‘You can be always sure of a warm welcome when Angel’s around.’ She buried her hands in the dog’s thick fur. ‘Ooh, you feel cold.’
Mark followed, clapping his hands together. ‘It’s freezing out there and I mean literally. Thanks, Daisy,’ he said, as she handed him a mug. He toed a chair nearer the wood burner and sat down.
‘Is it still snowing?’ Livvy asked.
‘No, it’s stopped. Just a hard frost.’
‘Could you see anything,’ Livvy paused, ‘or anyone?’
He shook his head. ‘Angel ran round in circles, nose to the ground. She could obviously smell someone had been out there but I’m pretty sure they’ve gone now. Whoever has done this isfar away. They won’t hang around.’ He sipped his tea. ‘What did the police say?’
Livvy repeated what she’d been told. ‘I’m not sure what the police could do if they did come round tomorrow.’
‘They wouldn’t take fingerprints or anything?’ Daisy asked.
‘Don’t think vandalism, however distressing, is high enough up the agenda.’
‘That’s shocking.’ Daisy drank her tea thoughtfully. ‘I can’t think of anyone in town who would do something like this and it’s a definite escalation of what happened before, isn’t it? Almost as if it’s personal.’
‘Oh it’s personal all right,’ Mark put in grimly. ‘Have you any idea who it might be, Livvy?’
She shook her head, exhaling heavily. ‘I can’t think of anyone who dislikes me enough.’ She shuddered.
‘The ex-boyfriend?’ he suggested.
‘Gavin?’ Livvy went silent for a moment. ‘Can’t see what motive he’d have. He made it abundantly clear he wasn’t interested in running the pub with me.’
‘Take it from me, ex-boyfriends can go weird,’ Daisy said, bitterly.
‘But, as far as I know, Gavin’s still working in the midlands. Why would he drive all the way down here just to do some petty vandalism? It doesn’t make sense. And I haven’t annoyed any local pub owners, or anyone else as far as I know, so it’s a complete mystery.’
Daisy shook her head vehemently. ‘Everyone I’ve talked to has said what a great job you’re doing and that they’re happy the pub is open again.’ She pointed a shortbread finger. ‘There’s trade enough for everyone. Rick says the same thing.’
‘So, do we think it’s bored teenagers?’ Mark asked. ‘There was a spate of vandalism going on a while back.’
‘You mean Eli?’ Daisy asked.
He nodded.
‘That was a while ago,’ Daisy said, ‘and it was led by a kid who came from Axminster. He was the one who pinched the cars; Eli was stupid enough to get in them. Idiot. And I know my cousin’s no angel but he’s grown out of all that now.’
‘I really don’t want to think of Eli doing it.’ Livvy sighed. ‘He seems happy working here, wants to prove that he’s put all that behind him.’
Daisy sat up suddenly, putting her tea in peril. ‘Besides, he was at the service tonight. He was with Lucie.’
‘He was, although he came in late,’ Livvy agreed. ‘I remember seeing him sneak in. Who else can we eliminate?’
‘Half the town,’ Mark said. ‘The church was packed. I had to sit right at the back. Squashed in with Tracy from The Sea Spray.’ He mustered a grin. ‘Kept me warm. And the bonus was she had a hip flask.’
They lapsed into a heavy silence, only punctuated by the hiss and crackle of the fire. The rap on the kitchen door had them all jumping a foot. Angel ran to it, barking furiously.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Daisy said. ‘That’ll be Rick. I rang him to collect me when he’d finished work. Didn’t fancy walking home in the dark on my own. Not after what’s happened.’
‘I hate how this is making us all feel,’ Livvy muttered through clenched teeth.
Daisy put a hand to her shoulder as Mark went to let Rick in. ‘Me too. I love living in a town where I feel safe enough to walk around on my own whatever the time. I just got a bit spooked tonight.’
Rick came in, looking concerned. ‘Livvy, I’m so sorry this has happened. Is there anything I can do?’ He ran a hand through his dark hair and swore. ‘This just shouldn’t happen in Lullbury Bay!’
