Page 45 of Sun, Sea & Strawberry Shortcake
‘Really?’ Norma’s tone is laced with doubt. ‘So how do youexplain that there was no sign of a break-in and you were the only person toset foot in Clifftop House that day?’
‘But she wasn’t, was she?’ I point out. ‘Becauseshedidn’t steal the necklace.’
Bee nods. ‘It’s funny you should be so desperate to pointthe finger at me, Norma. Is that because you’ve got something to hide?’
I’m fully expecting a frosty come-back. But after openingher mouth to reply, Norma looks down, reddens and stalks past us withoutanother word.
‘Well, that was a guilty look, if ever there was one,’ Imurmur thoughtfully, staring after her as she hurries up the stairs to herattic flat.
Jaz
CHAPTERTWENTY
It’s ten in the morning, and after an entire day inbed the invalids have finally managed to make it downstairs and are lounging onthe leather sofas in their dressing gowns, silently staring at a gardeningprogramme on TV.
I don’t feel great myself but having witnessed the groansand moans (and worse) from my friends all day yesterday, I can’t help feeling Igot off very lightly indeed by comparison.
‘Does anyone feel like eating breakfast?’ I ask, walking in,to be greeted by a chorus of groans.
I chuckle. ‘Okay. Let me know if you need anything. I stillsay it couldn’t have been the paella leftovers that were off.’
‘But it was,’ insists Madison. ‘Every time I burp, that’swhat I taste.’
Katja groans. ‘Too much information, Maddy.’
‘It was definitely the reheated paella,’ repeats Madison.‘That was our big mistake.’ She frowns. ‘And the other big mistake was thinkingit would be perfectly safe to leave my precious necklace here when we went outfor the day. It had to have been that cleaner woman who took it. Who else couldhave stolen it?’
‘Unless you put the necklace somewhere for safe keeping thenforgot,’ says Katja. ‘You can’t go blaming the poor cleaner without anyevidence.’
‘That’s true.’ I nod. ‘And by the way, I didn’t have any ofthe paella. I just ate some ham and salad. And yet I was still feeling a bitropey yesterday. How do you explain that?’
Ellie grunts. ‘That’s far too complicated a question for mypoor brain right now, Jaz.’
Madison holds her stomach and groans. ‘The ham must havebeen off as well.’
‘I’m hungry but I’m a bit scared to eat,’ says Ellie. ‘Ithink I need a boiled egg.’
‘Hm, yes. Boiled eggs are meant to be kind to delicatestomachs, aren’t they?’ murmurs Katja.
‘Actually, I might try a boiled egg and soldiers,’ saysMadison, roused from her stupor at the mention of food.
I grin, getting up. ‘Boiled eggs and soldiers all round,then?’
Ellie reaches for my hand. ‘That would be great. If youdon’t mind, Jaz.’
‘Happy to help. As the only woman left standing.’ Smiling tomyself, I head for the kitchen and start preparing the food.
At least everyone seems to have perked up a bit. Bits ofconversation are drifting through to me, thanks to the open-plan nature of thespace, and they’re currently having a bizarre discussion about how sexy AlanTitchmarsh is for an older guy, on a scale of one to ten...
The doorbell rings and when I answer it, Ruby’s standing onthe threshold.
‘Hi, Jaz. How are you?’
‘I’m not too bad, actually. Come in. I’m making boiled eggsand soldiers for the invalids. They seem a bit better today, thankfully.’
‘That’s good.’ She follows me in.
‘Can I tempt you with a boiled egg or two?’
