Deadly Traditions, page 28
Still feeling unsettled the next day, Holly paced her front room. She needed to speak to Simon to check where he went after he left the church hall and to find out if he’d seen or heard anything. She dreaded seeing a missing button on his outfit at the Christmas Carol Concert that evening. No, she had to speak to him before then to put her mind at ease, although she wouldn’t say anything about any missing buttons. Before that though, she would go and see Marjorie Thomas. To find out exactly how many buttons she had left over after making the costumes. She didn’t relish the thought, and it would have to wait until she did a bit more prepping for tomorrow’s dinner.
As she turned towards the window, Holly was surprised to see Simon’s car drawing up outside. She made her way along the hallway but stopped to check herself in the mirror. She raked her hands through her short hair. A visit to see Glenda at Happy Hair was in order. She would pop in today. As promised, Simon had brought her an extra-large turkey from the poultry farm. He handed the large parcel to her on the doorstep, saying that he didn’t have time to stop for a chat as he was busy helping Ivy at the farm and that he had taken on the role of farm manager. When she waved Simon goodbye, Holly felt a surge of relief that he hadn’t given her the opportunity to ask about his whereabouts when Stan had been murdered.
After preparing the turkey stuffing ready for the next day and popping it into the fridge, Holly set off to speak to Marjorie. She found her in the church hall, setting up for the carol concert. Holly had added a good splash of freshly squeezed orange juice into the sausage meat, onion, oats and herb stuffing mix. It had been her mother’s recipe, and for years Marjorie had asked her how she made the tasty stuffing. Holly smiled at the thought of her asking again tomorrow what her secret was. Holly couldn’t believe Christmas Eve had come around already. Despite Stan’s death, Ivy had wanted the carol concert to go ahead tonight as planned. She said Stan would have wanted that.
Old Rosie was helping Marjorie place song sheets onto the chairs in the hall. Marjorie wore a long flowing velvet dress in bright shades of green and red. She looked up when Holly entered. ‘Coooee! Holly. Have you come to help?’ she said and waved. ‘Rosie is about to go and stack the trolley up with the tea and coffee cups for later.’
Hmm, Holly thought, she hadn’t anticipated that. She glanced at her watch. She had so much still to prepare for Christmas dinner. The Christmas cake and puddings were finished. She’d already set the table for tomorrow, in turquoise and white, using a Frozen theme, but it still needed some finishing touches, and there were all the vegetables to prepare. Still, she thought, she could spare some time, especially if it brought her some answers.
Holly ushered Marjorie aside. She hadn’t planned what to say and realised that she had to ask about the button in a way that didn’t arouse Marjorie’s suspicions. After taking a deep breath she said, ‘I don’t suppose you have any of the buttons you used for the elf costumes going spare? I’m making something and they would be just perfect.’
Marjorie touched Holly’s arm. ‘Oh, there aren’t any left. I used every one of them. I had thirty, which allowed six for each of the five costumes, with none to spare. I used four down the front of each jacket and sewed one onto the cuff of each sleeve.’
Before Holly could respond, Marjorie added, ‘And, I don’t think you can buy them now. I’ve had those buttons for years just waiting for the right moment to use them.’ Marjorie gave a self-satisfied grin. ‘They were perfect for the elf outfits, if I say so myself.’
Well, that was that Holly thought as she rolled her eyes and followed Old Rosie through to the kitchen, while Marjorie finished putting out the song sheets and setting up the hall.
Holly recalled speaking to Rosie outside Marjorie’s shop. Something she’d said then had stuck in Holly’s mind, but she’d dismissed it. Now, she had the chance to check out exactly what Old Rosie had seen and heard at Stan’s poultry farm. She dreaded having to listen to more of Rosie’s ramblings, but she seemed calmer than she had been when they’d last met, so Holly picked up some cups and asked, ‘How are things with you, Rosie?’
‘Why won’t you listen? You’re asking how I am, but don’t listen to what I tell you. The policewoman who came to see me was the same. But I’ll tell you again, some very strange things have been going on at the poultry farm.’
Rosie’s comment caught Holly off guard. What she said was true, no one really listened to Rosie. Holly was listening now. ‘Okay! Tell me more.’
Rosie lifted a milk jug down from a shelf and reached for another one. ‘It’s stopped now, but Stan knew all about the goings on. He told me he was going to have it out with them.’
Holly was definitely listening to Rosie now. She had her full attention. ‘Have it out with whom?’
‘Stan didn’t say. He said he couldn’t. But I saw them too. Sneaking about, disturbing the hens.’
‘Do you have any idea who they were?’
Rosie shook her head. ‘I don’t, but Stan did. He said he was going to tell everyone about it at Christmas dinner at your house Holly unless it stopped.’
Sensing that what Rosie had said was important, Holly placed the cups she was carrying onto the trolley and turned her full attention to her. ‘I’m sorry, Rosie. I’m not following. What was it that Stan knew?’
‘I told you, I don’t know.’
Curiouser and curiouser, Holly thought. She wondered if Rosie was indeed rambling but dismissed the thought. There was something important in what Rosie was telling her, and she was certain that it had led to Stan’s murder. ‘Did you tell the police about this?’
Rosie plonked down a milk jug and glared at her. ‘Of course, I did. But they wouldn’t listen to me either. Well, not after I mentioned the foxes.’
After leaving the church hall, Holly popped into Happy Hair to see if Glenda could give her a cut and blow dry. Glenda was at the sink washing Phyllis Bow’s long auburn locks. She waved Holly over. ‘I’ll be about half an hour if you want to wait. I’m ahead today because Ivy Butcher obviously couldn’t make her appointment.’
Holly thanked Glenda for fitting her in. She took a seat and flipped through a magazine while keeping her ears alert. If there was anywhere better than Happy Hair to hear the village gossip, Holly had yet to find it. Lulled by the laughter and chat in the salon the locals opened up to Glenda, telling her all their news and giving their opinions on the latest happenings.
On returning home from the salon, Holly made straight for her small workroom and pulled a large notepad from her desk drawer. After her conversations with Rosie and then Glenda, a germ of an idea had formed in her mind but it still didn’t make much sense to her. She wanted to get her thoughts about each of the elves down on paper to see if that helped.
Old Rosie – Lived near to where the button had been found. She didn’t leave the rehearsal until after Stan’s body was discovered. She reported seeing people on the poultry farm. Stan threatened to let everyone know about this at Christmas dinner unless it stopped.
Stopped what? And. Who? Holly thought. And why at her Christmas meal? Was the murderer someone who was coming to her house on Christmas Day? Were they all in danger? She couldn’t think how to find out who it could be, apart from asking Ivy if Stan had mentioned anything to her about it. She would phone Ivy and find out if she knew anything.
Bert and Phyllis Bow- Lived near where the button was found. Both left rehearsals early. Stan argued with Bert about the Bow’s application to farm chickens. A previous disagreement about a boundary dispute. Bert wasn’t at his fruit and vegetable stall when Stan’s body was discovered, but Phyllis was.
Malcolm and Cherry Ives – Malcolm left the hall early. Didn’t live near where the button was found.
Holly recalled seeing Cherry leaving the church hall behind her and Lily. When Stan’s body was discovered, Malcolm and Cherry had both been in the Flying Goose. Cherry thought that Malcolm was cheating again. Who, if anyone, had he been seeing?
Simon – Could have lost the button near his brother’s farm. He left rehearsal early to help Stan. Soon after Stan set off to return to the poultry farm, Simon left Theo alone at the poultry stall to go and talk to Bert Bow. As the oldest brother, Stan had inherited the farm from his parents. Simon returned here six months ago. He is now managing the farm for Ivy.
Holly paused. Had Simon resented Stan inheriting the family farm? It was through Ivy that Holly had met Simon. In the time she’d known him, she’d never seen any sign of friction between the brothers or heard any disagreements between them. And, Simon’s cheerful, friendly manner had made Holly want to spend time with him. Simon had left the stall at the same time as Stan, to speak to Bert Bow. She hadn’t seen Simon or Bert at Bert Bow’s stall when she’d bought the cranberries, sprouts and parsnips, so they must have been together somewhere else at the market. Bert Bow’s wife had served Holly. Phyllis was a modern, lively character, who was a lot of fun to be with and Holly remembered laughing with her just before she heard Lily scream.
She stood and paced the room. Was this the end of her friendship with Simon? Until Stan’s death it looked like they were moving towards a long-term relationship. Now, understandably, Simon was too distracted and distressed by his brother’s murder to spend time with her. Holly’s life, once so busy while she worked, had in many ways become too mundane since retiring. She’d been enjoying the budding romance with the widower. Ah, well. Unlike her, Simon Butcher was now too busy for a relationship. It would be the last thing on his mind. Still, she’d have to face him at Christmas dinner tomorrow.
Holly sat down again at her desk. After reading through her notes, she drew up a list of things she needed to find out. When she had finished, she studied the list until her head ached. Then, like a bolt from the blue, something struck her full on.
First on her list now was a visit to see Cherry at the Flying Goose.
Chapter 7
Holly arrived at Lily’s house with Cherry in tow. She’d called in on Lily first to ask if the three of them could meet there. PC Forrest, Lily’s husband, wasn’t due off shift for a few hours and Lily had put a Disney Christmas movie on the TV in the lounge for the twins to watch. Despite the women’s questions, Holly had refused to tell them why she wanted to see them, only that she needed to speak to them both in private. Now, huddled together around Lily’s kitchen table, the three of them sat deep in thought. Holly had told them what she believed had happened to Stan Butcher and had sworn them to secrecy until they checked some things out for her. If her thoughts were right, then between them they could prove it. And the clock was ticking. They had until the Christmas carol concert tonight to do so. And before then, they needed to tell PC Forrest everything.
While Cherry headed back to the Flying Goose with a list of things to do, Holly and Lily set off to speak to Ivy and to have a closer look around the area where Holly had found one of the elves’ buttons.
Once the applause died for the performers who had sung, and hummed, their hearts out at the Christmas carol concert, Marjorie Thomas ushered the choir and hummingbirds through to the large kitchen for celebratory drinks. PC Forrest led the way.
When everyone had settled, PC Forrest closed the door, and Holly called for attention. ‘As you all know, Stan died a few days ago, and Theo has been accused of his murder. But someone in this room knows that Theo didn’t murder Stan,’ she said and glanced around.
A collective chatter broke out, and Holly called for order. ‘Silence. Hear me out.’
She pointed to Bert Bow. ‘Bert, you argued with Stan in the Flying Goose the night before he died. Cherry and Malcolm overheard you. Stan wasn’t pleased that you and Phyllis had applied to include hens and eggs as part of your farm produce, as this would have impacted on his own profits.’
Bert stepped forward; his face filled with outrage. ‘What? You think I murdered Stan Butcher over some daft argument . . .’
Holly held up a hand. ‘Let me finish.’
‘Simon, you left the poultry stall at the same time as Stan, to find Bert Bow so that you could talk to him about this. So, you and Bert were together at the market from then until Theo opened the van doors. Phyllis remained at your fruit and vegetable stall where she served me. So, we also know where she was.
‘Rosie, you reported strange goings-on at night up at Stan’s poultry farm. No one really listened to you, but you were right. Strange things were happening there.’
Rosie called, ‘Aye, they were and for a good while too.’
Holly continued. ‘Malcolm. You were behind these goings on. Weren’t you? You were meeting your latest lover at Stan’s farm.’
Malcolm looked around him. ‘Now, wait a minute …’
Holly held up the silver coloured-button that was now missing from the sleeve of Malcolm’s elf outfit. When Malcolm saw the button his face paled, and he slumped forward, just as two policemen rushed in and each gripped one of his arms.
‘I found the button you lost as you bundled Stan’s dead body into the back of his van on the road beside his farm,’ Holly said to Malcolm. ‘Cherry checked for me and had already confirmed that a button was missing from one sleeve of your elf outfit. She also found Stan’s apron and white coat hidden in the cellar of the Flying Goose along with your beanie hat, where you hid them after driving Stan’s van back to the market with Stan lying dead in the back. It was you I saw passing the church hall. After parking the van, you removed the apron, white coat and beanie and slipped into the Flying Goose with them without anyone noticing. Fifteen minutes later, when Theo opened the van door, everyone assumed that Stan had been murdered there and that it was Theo who did it. But Stan wasn’t murdered at the market, was he?’
Malcolm tried to wriggle free from the policemen’s grip. ‘I didn’t murder Stan. Dear God, it was an accident, and I haven’t settled since. I know I should have got help for him, but I wasn’t thinking straight. I could see he was already dead.’
As the policemen made to escort Malcolm Ives out, he called, ‘Wait. I’ll tell you what happened, but only if I do it here. They have to understand . . . it was an accident.’
The policemen stopped and nodded.
‘I overheard Stan saying that he was going back to the poultry farm to pick up more turkeys, so I followed him on my bike. I hid my bike in the bushes and waited at the end of his road for him to make his way back to the market. When his van approached, I waved Stan down.
‘When he stepped out of the van, I grabbed the front of his white coat and pleaded with him not to tell my wife what I’d been up to. Cherry would have thrown me out. After Rosie told Stan that someone had been coming on to his farm at night, he’d lain in wait and caught us. He threatened then to announce our affair when we were at Holly’s for Christmas dinner unless we stopped seeing each other. I couldn’t allow Stan to do that. I thought if I could talk to him, I could get him to see reason. But he wasn’t having it. When he turned to leave, I tightened my grip. But, he shook free and fell backwards, striking his head on a rock. I panicked.
‘After removing his outer clothes, I put them on and pulled Stan into the back of the van along with the rock he’d hit his head on. I only intended to ask him not to say anything. Stan Butcher may have had his disagreements with Bert Bow, but they were good friends. They grew up together. Stan wanted me to stop seeing Phyllis or he would tell Bert and everyone else about us.’
All hell broke loose as Bert Bow made to lunge at Malcolm but was held back by PC Forrest and Phyllis, who was furiously apologising to her husband. As the three policemen escorted Malcolm from the church hall, a stunned silence fell over the choir. Not even a hummingbird hummed as they tried to take in what had just transpired in front of them.
Chapter 8
At two o’clock on Christmas Day, Holly checked the parcels carefully placed under the glittering Christmas tree. A riot of blue paper tied with sparkly silver-coloured ribbons. One for each of her guests. Her lounge smelled as it only could on this one day of the year – the scent of pine mixed with the smell of burning logs, mingling with the delicious aroma coming from the turkey roasting in the oven. It was a smell Holly loved.
Simon arrived first, carrying a couple of bottles of Holly’s favourite shiraz and a little gift that he wanted her to open before anyone else arrived. She reached into the small gift bag and opened the box inside to reveal an exquisite gold bracelet with a heart dangling from it. After hugging Simon, she poured out two glasses of Champagne and handed one to him. They clinked glasses and wished each other a Merry Christmas. Then, they rolled up their sleeves and finished cooking the perfect Christmas dinner together.
Later, as her guests sat around the table chatting between courses, they took turns opening their presents from each other. Theo, who had been released immediately after Malcolm’s confession and arrest, had a special thank you gift for Old Rosie who, as the hero of the hour, had a place laid for her at the table. Rosie’s eyes glowed as she read the card from Theo, promising to spend every Saturday afternoon at her place working on and overseeing the repairs to her bungalow and arranging for tradesmen to do whatever was needed to bring her home back to its former glory.
Theo blushed at Rosie’s delight and said to her, ‘Honestly, I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done, Rosie. If it hadn’t been for you noticing the strange comings and goings up at the farm, likely I wouldn’t be sitting here now.’
Tears formed in Theo’s mother’s eyes and she swiped them away with her hand. ‘And me too, Rosie. I’ll come and help you get everything cleaned and ship-shape once the builders are finished, so don’t you be worrying about that.’
As Holly pulled a spare Christmas cracker with Simon, he said, ‘Remember to make a wish, Holly.’
Lily winked at Holly, leant in close and whispered. ‘I think you should be careful what you wish for from now on. In more ways than one, you truly did put on a Christmas dinner to die for.’
As she turned towards the window, Holly was surprised to see Simon’s car drawing up outside. She made her way along the hallway but stopped to check herself in the mirror. She raked her hands through her short hair. A visit to see Glenda at Happy Hair was in order. She would pop in today. As promised, Simon had brought her an extra-large turkey from the poultry farm. He handed the large parcel to her on the doorstep, saying that he didn’t have time to stop for a chat as he was busy helping Ivy at the farm and that he had taken on the role of farm manager. When she waved Simon goodbye, Holly felt a surge of relief that he hadn’t given her the opportunity to ask about his whereabouts when Stan had been murdered.
After preparing the turkey stuffing ready for the next day and popping it into the fridge, Holly set off to speak to Marjorie. She found her in the church hall, setting up for the carol concert. Holly had added a good splash of freshly squeezed orange juice into the sausage meat, onion, oats and herb stuffing mix. It had been her mother’s recipe, and for years Marjorie had asked her how she made the tasty stuffing. Holly smiled at the thought of her asking again tomorrow what her secret was. Holly couldn’t believe Christmas Eve had come around already. Despite Stan’s death, Ivy had wanted the carol concert to go ahead tonight as planned. She said Stan would have wanted that.
Old Rosie was helping Marjorie place song sheets onto the chairs in the hall. Marjorie wore a long flowing velvet dress in bright shades of green and red. She looked up when Holly entered. ‘Coooee! Holly. Have you come to help?’ she said and waved. ‘Rosie is about to go and stack the trolley up with the tea and coffee cups for later.’
Hmm, Holly thought, she hadn’t anticipated that. She glanced at her watch. She had so much still to prepare for Christmas dinner. The Christmas cake and puddings were finished. She’d already set the table for tomorrow, in turquoise and white, using a Frozen theme, but it still needed some finishing touches, and there were all the vegetables to prepare. Still, she thought, she could spare some time, especially if it brought her some answers.
Holly ushered Marjorie aside. She hadn’t planned what to say and realised that she had to ask about the button in a way that didn’t arouse Marjorie’s suspicions. After taking a deep breath she said, ‘I don’t suppose you have any of the buttons you used for the elf costumes going spare? I’m making something and they would be just perfect.’
Marjorie touched Holly’s arm. ‘Oh, there aren’t any left. I used every one of them. I had thirty, which allowed six for each of the five costumes, with none to spare. I used four down the front of each jacket and sewed one onto the cuff of each sleeve.’
Before Holly could respond, Marjorie added, ‘And, I don’t think you can buy them now. I’ve had those buttons for years just waiting for the right moment to use them.’ Marjorie gave a self-satisfied grin. ‘They were perfect for the elf outfits, if I say so myself.’
Well, that was that Holly thought as she rolled her eyes and followed Old Rosie through to the kitchen, while Marjorie finished putting out the song sheets and setting up the hall.
Holly recalled speaking to Rosie outside Marjorie’s shop. Something she’d said then had stuck in Holly’s mind, but she’d dismissed it. Now, she had the chance to check out exactly what Old Rosie had seen and heard at Stan’s poultry farm. She dreaded having to listen to more of Rosie’s ramblings, but she seemed calmer than she had been when they’d last met, so Holly picked up some cups and asked, ‘How are things with you, Rosie?’
‘Why won’t you listen? You’re asking how I am, but don’t listen to what I tell you. The policewoman who came to see me was the same. But I’ll tell you again, some very strange things have been going on at the poultry farm.’
Rosie’s comment caught Holly off guard. What she said was true, no one really listened to Rosie. Holly was listening now. ‘Okay! Tell me more.’
Rosie lifted a milk jug down from a shelf and reached for another one. ‘It’s stopped now, but Stan knew all about the goings on. He told me he was going to have it out with them.’
Holly was definitely listening to Rosie now. She had her full attention. ‘Have it out with whom?’
‘Stan didn’t say. He said he couldn’t. But I saw them too. Sneaking about, disturbing the hens.’
‘Do you have any idea who they were?’
Rosie shook her head. ‘I don’t, but Stan did. He said he was going to tell everyone about it at Christmas dinner at your house Holly unless it stopped.’
Sensing that what Rosie had said was important, Holly placed the cups she was carrying onto the trolley and turned her full attention to her. ‘I’m sorry, Rosie. I’m not following. What was it that Stan knew?’
‘I told you, I don’t know.’
Curiouser and curiouser, Holly thought. She wondered if Rosie was indeed rambling but dismissed the thought. There was something important in what Rosie was telling her, and she was certain that it had led to Stan’s murder. ‘Did you tell the police about this?’
Rosie plonked down a milk jug and glared at her. ‘Of course, I did. But they wouldn’t listen to me either. Well, not after I mentioned the foxes.’
After leaving the church hall, Holly popped into Happy Hair to see if Glenda could give her a cut and blow dry. Glenda was at the sink washing Phyllis Bow’s long auburn locks. She waved Holly over. ‘I’ll be about half an hour if you want to wait. I’m ahead today because Ivy Butcher obviously couldn’t make her appointment.’
Holly thanked Glenda for fitting her in. She took a seat and flipped through a magazine while keeping her ears alert. If there was anywhere better than Happy Hair to hear the village gossip, Holly had yet to find it. Lulled by the laughter and chat in the salon the locals opened up to Glenda, telling her all their news and giving their opinions on the latest happenings.
On returning home from the salon, Holly made straight for her small workroom and pulled a large notepad from her desk drawer. After her conversations with Rosie and then Glenda, a germ of an idea had formed in her mind but it still didn’t make much sense to her. She wanted to get her thoughts about each of the elves down on paper to see if that helped.
Old Rosie – Lived near to where the button had been found. She didn’t leave the rehearsal until after Stan’s body was discovered. She reported seeing people on the poultry farm. Stan threatened to let everyone know about this at Christmas dinner unless it stopped.
Stopped what? And. Who? Holly thought. And why at her Christmas meal? Was the murderer someone who was coming to her house on Christmas Day? Were they all in danger? She couldn’t think how to find out who it could be, apart from asking Ivy if Stan had mentioned anything to her about it. She would phone Ivy and find out if she knew anything.
Bert and Phyllis Bow- Lived near where the button was found. Both left rehearsals early. Stan argued with Bert about the Bow’s application to farm chickens. A previous disagreement about a boundary dispute. Bert wasn’t at his fruit and vegetable stall when Stan’s body was discovered, but Phyllis was.
Malcolm and Cherry Ives – Malcolm left the hall early. Didn’t live near where the button was found.
Holly recalled seeing Cherry leaving the church hall behind her and Lily. When Stan’s body was discovered, Malcolm and Cherry had both been in the Flying Goose. Cherry thought that Malcolm was cheating again. Who, if anyone, had he been seeing?
Simon – Could have lost the button near his brother’s farm. He left rehearsal early to help Stan. Soon after Stan set off to return to the poultry farm, Simon left Theo alone at the poultry stall to go and talk to Bert Bow. As the oldest brother, Stan had inherited the farm from his parents. Simon returned here six months ago. He is now managing the farm for Ivy.
Holly paused. Had Simon resented Stan inheriting the family farm? It was through Ivy that Holly had met Simon. In the time she’d known him, she’d never seen any sign of friction between the brothers or heard any disagreements between them. And, Simon’s cheerful, friendly manner had made Holly want to spend time with him. Simon had left the stall at the same time as Stan, to speak to Bert Bow. She hadn’t seen Simon or Bert at Bert Bow’s stall when she’d bought the cranberries, sprouts and parsnips, so they must have been together somewhere else at the market. Bert Bow’s wife had served Holly. Phyllis was a modern, lively character, who was a lot of fun to be with and Holly remembered laughing with her just before she heard Lily scream.
She stood and paced the room. Was this the end of her friendship with Simon? Until Stan’s death it looked like they were moving towards a long-term relationship. Now, understandably, Simon was too distracted and distressed by his brother’s murder to spend time with her. Holly’s life, once so busy while she worked, had in many ways become too mundane since retiring. She’d been enjoying the budding romance with the widower. Ah, well. Unlike her, Simon Butcher was now too busy for a relationship. It would be the last thing on his mind. Still, she’d have to face him at Christmas dinner tomorrow.
Holly sat down again at her desk. After reading through her notes, she drew up a list of things she needed to find out. When she had finished, she studied the list until her head ached. Then, like a bolt from the blue, something struck her full on.
First on her list now was a visit to see Cherry at the Flying Goose.
Chapter 7
Holly arrived at Lily’s house with Cherry in tow. She’d called in on Lily first to ask if the three of them could meet there. PC Forrest, Lily’s husband, wasn’t due off shift for a few hours and Lily had put a Disney Christmas movie on the TV in the lounge for the twins to watch. Despite the women’s questions, Holly had refused to tell them why she wanted to see them, only that she needed to speak to them both in private. Now, huddled together around Lily’s kitchen table, the three of them sat deep in thought. Holly had told them what she believed had happened to Stan Butcher and had sworn them to secrecy until they checked some things out for her. If her thoughts were right, then between them they could prove it. And the clock was ticking. They had until the Christmas carol concert tonight to do so. And before then, they needed to tell PC Forrest everything.
While Cherry headed back to the Flying Goose with a list of things to do, Holly and Lily set off to speak to Ivy and to have a closer look around the area where Holly had found one of the elves’ buttons.
Once the applause died for the performers who had sung, and hummed, their hearts out at the Christmas carol concert, Marjorie Thomas ushered the choir and hummingbirds through to the large kitchen for celebratory drinks. PC Forrest led the way.
When everyone had settled, PC Forrest closed the door, and Holly called for attention. ‘As you all know, Stan died a few days ago, and Theo has been accused of his murder. But someone in this room knows that Theo didn’t murder Stan,’ she said and glanced around.
A collective chatter broke out, and Holly called for order. ‘Silence. Hear me out.’
She pointed to Bert Bow. ‘Bert, you argued with Stan in the Flying Goose the night before he died. Cherry and Malcolm overheard you. Stan wasn’t pleased that you and Phyllis had applied to include hens and eggs as part of your farm produce, as this would have impacted on his own profits.’
Bert stepped forward; his face filled with outrage. ‘What? You think I murdered Stan Butcher over some daft argument . . .’
Holly held up a hand. ‘Let me finish.’
‘Simon, you left the poultry stall at the same time as Stan, to find Bert Bow so that you could talk to him about this. So, you and Bert were together at the market from then until Theo opened the van doors. Phyllis remained at your fruit and vegetable stall where she served me. So, we also know where she was.
‘Rosie, you reported strange goings-on at night up at Stan’s poultry farm. No one really listened to you, but you were right. Strange things were happening there.’
Rosie called, ‘Aye, they were and for a good while too.’
Holly continued. ‘Malcolm. You were behind these goings on. Weren’t you? You were meeting your latest lover at Stan’s farm.’
Malcolm looked around him. ‘Now, wait a minute …’
Holly held up the silver coloured-button that was now missing from the sleeve of Malcolm’s elf outfit. When Malcolm saw the button his face paled, and he slumped forward, just as two policemen rushed in and each gripped one of his arms.
‘I found the button you lost as you bundled Stan’s dead body into the back of his van on the road beside his farm,’ Holly said to Malcolm. ‘Cherry checked for me and had already confirmed that a button was missing from one sleeve of your elf outfit. She also found Stan’s apron and white coat hidden in the cellar of the Flying Goose along with your beanie hat, where you hid them after driving Stan’s van back to the market with Stan lying dead in the back. It was you I saw passing the church hall. After parking the van, you removed the apron, white coat and beanie and slipped into the Flying Goose with them without anyone noticing. Fifteen minutes later, when Theo opened the van door, everyone assumed that Stan had been murdered there and that it was Theo who did it. But Stan wasn’t murdered at the market, was he?’
Malcolm tried to wriggle free from the policemen’s grip. ‘I didn’t murder Stan. Dear God, it was an accident, and I haven’t settled since. I know I should have got help for him, but I wasn’t thinking straight. I could see he was already dead.’
As the policemen made to escort Malcolm Ives out, he called, ‘Wait. I’ll tell you what happened, but only if I do it here. They have to understand . . . it was an accident.’
The policemen stopped and nodded.
‘I overheard Stan saying that he was going back to the poultry farm to pick up more turkeys, so I followed him on my bike. I hid my bike in the bushes and waited at the end of his road for him to make his way back to the market. When his van approached, I waved Stan down.
‘When he stepped out of the van, I grabbed the front of his white coat and pleaded with him not to tell my wife what I’d been up to. Cherry would have thrown me out. After Rosie told Stan that someone had been coming on to his farm at night, he’d lain in wait and caught us. He threatened then to announce our affair when we were at Holly’s for Christmas dinner unless we stopped seeing each other. I couldn’t allow Stan to do that. I thought if I could talk to him, I could get him to see reason. But he wasn’t having it. When he turned to leave, I tightened my grip. But, he shook free and fell backwards, striking his head on a rock. I panicked.
‘After removing his outer clothes, I put them on and pulled Stan into the back of the van along with the rock he’d hit his head on. I only intended to ask him not to say anything. Stan Butcher may have had his disagreements with Bert Bow, but they were good friends. They grew up together. Stan wanted me to stop seeing Phyllis or he would tell Bert and everyone else about us.’
All hell broke loose as Bert Bow made to lunge at Malcolm but was held back by PC Forrest and Phyllis, who was furiously apologising to her husband. As the three policemen escorted Malcolm from the church hall, a stunned silence fell over the choir. Not even a hummingbird hummed as they tried to take in what had just transpired in front of them.
Chapter 8
At two o’clock on Christmas Day, Holly checked the parcels carefully placed under the glittering Christmas tree. A riot of blue paper tied with sparkly silver-coloured ribbons. One for each of her guests. Her lounge smelled as it only could on this one day of the year – the scent of pine mixed with the smell of burning logs, mingling with the delicious aroma coming from the turkey roasting in the oven. It was a smell Holly loved.
Simon arrived first, carrying a couple of bottles of Holly’s favourite shiraz and a little gift that he wanted her to open before anyone else arrived. She reached into the small gift bag and opened the box inside to reveal an exquisite gold bracelet with a heart dangling from it. After hugging Simon, she poured out two glasses of Champagne and handed one to him. They clinked glasses and wished each other a Merry Christmas. Then, they rolled up their sleeves and finished cooking the perfect Christmas dinner together.
Later, as her guests sat around the table chatting between courses, they took turns opening their presents from each other. Theo, who had been released immediately after Malcolm’s confession and arrest, had a special thank you gift for Old Rosie who, as the hero of the hour, had a place laid for her at the table. Rosie’s eyes glowed as she read the card from Theo, promising to spend every Saturday afternoon at her place working on and overseeing the repairs to her bungalow and arranging for tradesmen to do whatever was needed to bring her home back to its former glory.
Theo blushed at Rosie’s delight and said to her, ‘Honestly, I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done, Rosie. If it hadn’t been for you noticing the strange comings and goings up at the farm, likely I wouldn’t be sitting here now.’
Tears formed in Theo’s mother’s eyes and she swiped them away with her hand. ‘And me too, Rosie. I’ll come and help you get everything cleaned and ship-shape once the builders are finished, so don’t you be worrying about that.’
As Holly pulled a spare Christmas cracker with Simon, he said, ‘Remember to make a wish, Holly.’
Lily winked at Holly, leant in close and whispered. ‘I think you should be careful what you wish for from now on. In more ways than one, you truly did put on a Christmas dinner to die for.’
