The Peridale Cafe Cozy Box Set 4 Read online

  “And nutty as a fruit cake,” Barker added. “Good luck with everything.”

  Barker picked up their cases and set off towards the door with Alfie. Julia lingered by the fish tank desk, not wanting to leave her new friend like this. She hugged him again, squeezing him tightly.

  “Go,” Russell said with a smile when she finally pulled away. “They can’t knock Lulu Suede down that easily. I’ll be fine.”

  “Promise?”

  “I promise.”

  Julia nodded, even if Russell’s eyes told her something else. She turned on her heels and headed to the door, but she immediately stopped in her tracks when Barker opened the door to reveal Honey and what appeared to be an army of men behind him.

  “What’s this?” Russell called as Honey led the army into the hallway. “Where were you yesterday? I was trying to call you.”

  “Busy fixing everything,” Honey said, planting his hands on his hips. “Recognise any of these faces? They’re drag queens, Russell. Drag queens from all around Blackpool who know about this place’s legacy and history and want it to continue. Drag queens, who out of the goodness of their own hearts, have agreed to become Sparkles Girls for free until this place is booming again.”

  “I – I don’t understand,” Russell said as he searched the faces. “Honey, it’s too late.”

  “Have you signed the papers?”

  “Well, no, but –”

  “Then it’s not too late,” Honey cried, casting his hand back at the group of men. “For the sake of Arthur’s legacy and for what he stood for, it’s not too late. The world needs this place, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to turn it around. This is my home. I don’t have anything else.”

  At that moment, the sea of men parted, and Marvin walked through, a rucksack slung over his shoulder.

  “I thought you’d gone to London?” Russell asked, his confusion deepening.

  “I did,” Marvin replied. “And the second I got off the train, I got on the next one right back because I knew I’d made a huge mistake leaving without telling you the truth.”

  “The truth?” Russell replied, gulping hard. “I don’t think I can take any more truths this week.”

  Marvin took Russell’s hand and led him into the drag den. He closed the door behind him, and they stayed in there for almost half an hour. The sea of drag queens moved into the bar area, leaving Julia, Barker, Alfie, and Honey to wait for them to emerge. When they did, Russell was holding a stack of papers in one hand, and Marvin’s hand in the other. Both of them were smiling.

  “This is madness,” Russell said with a shake of his head as he dropped the paperwork on the counter. “You realise if I don’t sign this, I’m throwing away hundreds of thousands of pounds for a gamble on a bunch of drag queens?”

  “But if you do sign it,” Honey said, sighing as he walked up to the counter, “what are you going to lose?”

  Russell stared unblinkingly at Honey for what felt like a lifetime. He looked at Marvin, and then at Julia, and then at the contract. When he tore it in half, Julia’s heart almost burst in her chest.

  “I’ve lost the plot,” Russell said as he tossed the two halves into a bin.

  “You’re a drag queen,” Marvin said as he took Russell’s hand again. “You never had it.”

  When Russell kissed Marvin, Julia decided it was time to go, and this time she was leaving without worry. She had a feeling Sparkles by the Sea would survive to entertain for another day.

  “We’re late to meet Jessie,” Alfie said as he looked up at the tower. “Why do I feel like the surprises aren’t over yet?”

  They loaded their cases into the car once again and walked to the tower. After paying their admission fee, they travelled to the top floor of the building and waited for the lift. As they travelled the five hundred feet to the top, Julia’s stomach flipped several times.

  “Wow,” she said as she looked at the view of the sea ahead when the lift doors opened. “Why didn’t we come up here sooner?”

  “I don’t think she’s here,” Alfie said as he checked his phone. “I’ll give her a call. I don’t know what she thinks she’s playing at.”

  Julia walked towards the edge of the observation tower where the floor and walls were made entirely of glass. She stepped onto the glass, the panel the only thing between her and the road below. The feeling was exhilarating, if not a little sickening. She looked ahead at the young woman in front of her who was standing right up to the edge of the glass, fearless of the dizzying drop below. When her phone started to ring, she pulled it out and turned around.

  Julia stared at the fearless young woman, her heart dropping even further when she realised she was not a stranger at all, but someone very close to her.

  “Jessie?” Julia cried. “Is that really you?”

  Jessie’s unruly dark hair had been cut up to her shoulders and shaped around her face with a full fringe resting against her eyebrows. Fiery red highlights had been added, giving it a sheen Julia had never seen from the teenager. Gone were the black hoody and baggy black jeans to be replaced with more fitted blue jeans, a white top, and a denim jacket. She was still wearing her clunky Doc Martens, but the restyle had transformed their look.

  “Sis?” Alfie muttered, stepping forward, his phone still ringing in his hand. “What have you done?”

  “Don’t you like it?” she asked, self-consciously touching her new fringe.

  “It’s not that,” Alfie replied, finally ending the call. “You just look so – different. You look grown up.”

  Jessie smiled, her hair and clothes not the only thing different. Julia sensed a subtle shift in her mannerisms somehow. It was as though she had let something go.

  “It’s not so scary when you stand on it,” Jessie said, turning and looking down at the ground. “It’s actually quite soothing. It’s a nice reminder that you can’t fall if your feet are on solid ground.” She turned back around and put her hands in her denim jacket. “I woke up with the sun this morning and walked back to Seabourne Avenue. It was almost like I was sleep walking, but something called me back there. When I realised where I was, I felt something click in me. Being here made me realise I’ve been holding onto so much anger for my whole life, and I don’t need to anymore. I have everything I ever wanted. I’m happy.”

  “You look beautiful,” Julia said. “Really beautiful.”

  “It’s just new hair and new clothes,” Jessie replied with a shrug. “But change is good, so why not make a complete change? I am eighteen now, after all. Can we go home now?”

  “I’d like nothing more,” Julia said as she wrapped her arm around Jessie’s shoulder. “Happy birthday by the way.”

  “Thanks, Mum.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Julia had to stop her foot from pressing down on the accelerator during the three-hour drive back home. When she saw the first sign for Peridale, she could not help but smile.

  They pulled up outside the café, the ‘Happy 18th Birthday Jessie!’ banner hung up outside. Jessie blushed, but she smiled at the thought. Julia looked into the café, pleased that it was still standing, and glad that Katie had gathered everyone for the party like she had requested.

  “Julia!” Katie squealed when she walked inside. “You’re back! Oh, I must say, I’m quite sad to be leaving. I’ve had the time of my life! Where’s Jessie?”

  Julia looked around the café, her jaw dropping. Everything looked the same, except for the customers. At first, she thought Katie had filled the café with tanned strangers, until she realised they were the villagers.

  “Do you like?” Katie exclaimed as she ran around the counter in her high heels, a frilly pink apron attached to her front. “I’ve sold out of the first batch already! I told you I’d have the whole village ‘Glowing Like Katie’!”

  “Did you have a lovely time in Blackpool?” Amy Clark asked as she sipped tea, the white china cup glowing against her neon orange face. “I wish I’d asked for an extra ticket for
myself. I do love a good drag queen. Where’s Jessie? Did you leave her behind?”

  “I’m right here,” Jessie said sheepishly. “Ta-da!”

  A couple of the customers audibly gasped at Jessie’s transformation, which caused her to blush even more.

  “Jessie, you look so – pale!” Katie exclaimed as she ran around the counter to pull out a bottle of her tan. “We must change that right away!”

  Over the next half an hour, they enjoyed tea and cake at the café while Jessie opened her cards and presents from the villagers and refused Katie’s many offers of free bottles of tan. Just as they were about to leave to head home to unpack, Dot scurried across the village green, Barker’s book clutched to her chest.

  “Well, I say!” Dot exclaimed when she spotted Jessie. “Look at you! You look like a woman! Happy Birthday dear.” Dot reached into her handbag and pulled out a stack of envelopes. “Don’t use them all at once.”

  Jessie flicked through the envelopes, but it was obvious they were the vouchers Dot had won at the fête.

  “You’re looking better, Gran,” Julia said with a smirk. “I hope you weren’t sick for the whole week.”

  “Oh, I made that up, dear!” Dot exclaimed with a waft of her hand. “I wanted to stay home so I could read Barker’s book in peace. I knew I wouldn’t get a second to myself with all that sun and seagull squawking. I must say, Barker, you did a splendid job. It was like reading a real book!”

  “It is a real book,” he replied with a tight smile. “But from you, I’ll take it. Thank you.”

  “I am a little upset that you included everyone else in the village and not me,” Dot said with a sigh as she pushed up her curls at the back. “I kept waiting for my appearance, but I suppose you’re saving that for the second book, right? A grand entrance in the first chapter as the new main character?”

  Alfie whispered something in her ear before walking out of the café. As though she could sense the explosion, Jessie joined him.

  “Dora?” Dot exclaimed. “I’m nothing like Dora! She’s an interfering old nosey busy-body!”

  Everyone in the café was suddenly distracted by their cups of tea. Deciding to leave Dot to vent, Julia climbed back into her car, and they drove up to her cottage. There was a yellow Mini parked in Julia’s usual space. She parked behind it, curious as to whom the car belonged.

  “Who’s is that?” Jessie asked as she climbed out. “Are we expecting visitors?”

  “It’s yours,” Barker said, patting Jessie on the shoulder. “I bought it before we left for Blackpool and arranged for it to be dropped off.”

  “Are you serious?” Jessie cried, running over to the car. “You’re not joking? This is really mine?”

  “Cross my heart,” Barker said with a chuckle. “It’s not brand new, but it’s only five years old and has only had one owner. It only has ten thousand miles on the clock and it’s passed its MOT. Do you like it?”

  Jessie ran around the car, her eyes widening with each step. Instead of replying, she ran to Barker and jumped on him, almost tackling him to the ground.

  “I love it,” she said, her eyes clenched as she hugged him tightly. “Can I take it out for a spin? Is it insured and taxed?”

  “All sorted,” Barker said as he patted her on the back. “They should have posted the keys through the letterbox, so she’s all yours.”

  Jessie let go and ran for the door, pulling her house keys out of her pocket. She scooped them up and ran back to the car, her smile wider than Julia had ever seen it.

  “You kept that quiet,” Julia whispered to him. “It must have cost you a fortune.”

  “It’s worth it,” he whispered back as he wrapped his arm around Julia’s shoulder. “Let’s leave her to play with her new toy.”

  Julia unloaded the cases from the boot while Jessie and Alfie climbed into the front of the new car. With Barker’s help, she carried them inside and put them in the hall. A stack of letters waited for her on the side table.

  “You sort through those, and I’ll put the kettle on,” Barker said. “Peppermint and liquorice?”

  “Yes, please,” Julia said as she flicked through the various letters.

  As she walked through to the sitting room, a large brown envelope caught her eye in the mass of junk mail and bills. She perched on the couch and ripped back the seal as Mowgli sauntered into the room. He jumped onto the chair arm and nudged her, but she was too distracted to stroke him. She stared at the certificate of adoption in her hands, Jessie’s name in one box, Julia and Barker’s in another. She looked at the envelope, the stamp dated the morning they had left for Blackpool.

  “It’s official,” Julia said as she scooped Mowgli up. “We did it.”

  But as Julia stared at the certificate in her lap, she realised Arthur had been right when he had said it would not change a thing. She looked out the window and watched as Jessie set off down the lane in her new car. Julia felt as she had done for a long time, and the paper only served as an official confirmation. Jessie was her daughter, and nothing would ever change that.

  When Barker entered with their cups, Julia accepted her comforting tea gratefully before passing him the certificate. As he read over the document, his lips following the words confirming that they were Jessie’s legal guardians, Julia looked at her sparkling pearl engagement ring.

  “How does an autumn wedding sound?” Julia asked as she held the ring up. “This autumn.”

  “Like the best idea you’ve ever had.”

  REVIEW ON AMAZON

  REVIEW ON GOODREADS

  Book 14. Champagne and Catastrophes

  Published by Pink Tree Publishing Limited in 2018

  All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Copyright © Pink Tree Publishing Limited.

  The moral right of the author has been asserted.

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

  may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

  without the express written permission of the publisher

  except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  For questions and comments about this book, please contact [email protected]

  www.pinktreepublishing.com

  www.agathafrost.com

  About This Book

  Released: October 23rd 2018

  Words: 51,000

  Series: Book 14 - Peridale Cozy Café Mystery Series

  Standalone: Yes

  Cliff-hanger: No

  Julia and Barker have finally set a date for the wedding, but that doesn't mean Julia has jumped straight into the planning, even though it's only three months away. With their daughter, Jessie, backpacking around Australia for the month, Julia has no excuse not to start the preparations, but she can't bring herself to dive into the huge task.

  An old school friend of Julia's moves into the cottage across the lane, and she is over the moon when she finds out that Leah happens to be a wedding planner. Julia feels like fate has delivered Leah to her, but things soon turn sour when it seems not everyone in the village is happy to have Leah back after two decades away. When Leah vanishes under suspicious circumstances days into the wedding planning, Julia quickly learns that her old friend isn't quite what she thought.

  With Julia's other best friends, Roxy and Johnny, in the frame for Leah's disappearance, Julia must get to the bottom of the case. Where has Leah gone, why are Roxy and Johnny so involved, and what did Leah do that was so terrible twenty years ago?

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  Chapter One

  “You’re breaking up,” Julia said as th
e video of her daughter jittered across her phone’s screen. “Jessie?”

  “M-M-trailia-g-d-” Jessie’s fragmented voice struggled through the tiny speakers and the bad connection. “It’s awesome!”

  “I think she’s trying to say, ‘Australia is awesome.’” Barker’s shout from the dining room made Julia jump. “Ask her what she’s been up to.”

  “I would if this silly thing worked!” Julia jabbed the screen with her finger, but the video of Jessie had devolved into a mushy mess of pixels. “I just want to check that our daughter is alive and well. Is that too much to ask?” Julia shook the phone and squinted at the screen. “Jessie? Can you hear me?”

  “Try the garden,” Barker called over the sound of his typing. “Sometimes, the signal is better out there.”

  Still in her dressing gown and slippers, Julia unlocked the cottage’s front door and hurried into the garden, her eyes fixed on the phone. As though a magic spell had been cast, Jessie’s face snapped into focus.

  “There you are!” Julia cried, her smile beaming. “I’d almost forgotten what you looked like.”

  “I’ve only been gone for six days,” Jessie said with a signature eye roll. “Are you in your dressing gown?”

  “You are nine hours ahead.” Julia pulled her pink gown together as she peered up and down the quiet lane—not that she had any close neighbours to catch her outside in her nightclothes. “It’s only eight in the morning here. What have you done today? Tell me everything.”

  “Hello, Miss S!” Billy called. His face appeared behind Jessie on the tiny screen. “We’re missing your cakes.”