Murder in Style by Veronica Heley

accident.’
    â€˜Juno would have come straight out and said so, if it had been an accident. But I’ll bear what you say in mind.’

FIVE
Saturday morning
    E llie wasn’t at all sure she was doing the right thing by taking Susan to The Magpie boutique but, having got Lesley’s permission to do so and, let’s face it, because she was curious about the Cardover family, she went through with it.
    Susan was ambivalent. ‘What if they don’t have my size in anything?’
    â€˜We’ll know straight away whether or not they’ve got something suitable. If not, there’s no great harm done and we’ll treat ourselves to a coffee instead.’
    The shops in the Avenue appeared to be thriving. There were two charity shops and three estate agents, but there was a butcher, and a baker and a … no, not a candlestick maker, but a bookshop and a library and dance studios and a fair number of good coffee shops.
    The Magpie boutique was situated towards the middle. It looked prosperous, with gleaming paintwork and glass. It must be open, for the blind was up and a woman was going in as Ellie and Susan arrived. In the window were three outfits in white, grey and black, with vivid scarves thrown over their shoulders. Attractive. Some scarlet and green T-shirts were cleverly displayed on the rungs of a stepladder. Tasty.
    Susan reared back, like a frightened horse. ‘It’s meant for teenagers.’
    Ellie pointed to a tailored suit on a model just inside the door. ‘For the Mother of the Bride?’
    â€˜I couldn’t wear that.’
    Ellie pushed the door open and coaxed Susan inside.
    Racks of clothes lined the walls, all colours of the rainbow and of different lengths. A wedding dress, complete with train, hung from a high rail, and next to it there was a flower girl’s outfit. To one side there was a stand of elaborately decorated hats, and above that shelves of matching handbags and shoes. Next to the hats there stood a cabinet full of costume jewellery and even, gasp! A tiara!
    Several small chairs had been dotted here and there for respite purposes, and for partners waiting for their loved ones to decide on purchases. A large notice at the back advertised ‘Fitting Room’, and ‘Evening & Bridal Wear’. A heavy curtain concealed an entrance to what must be an extension to the shop. They were cramming rather a lot into a smallish space, weren’t they?
    Two women were already in the shop, pawing through the rails of clothes, attended by Celine.
    â€˜Can I help you, or would you like to look around by yourselves?’
    Ellie knew that voice. Yes. It was Clemmie, who had recognized Ellie but was going to pretend that she hadn’t. Clemmie was wearing the same simple black dress that she’d had on the previous day, but without the brooch.
    Ellie said, ‘Susan here has been invited to be a bridesmaid, wearing some sort of peach-coloured outfit. Have you anything to suit?’
    Clemmie transferred her attention to Susan, assessed her and nodded. ‘Come this way. We keep the evening and bridal wear through here.’
    Susan would have protested, but Ellie took her arm and they followed Clemmie through the heavy curtain into the back room, the walls of which were lined with mirrored cupboards. A stick-thin woman was already there, trying on a skimpy outfit. Evidently this was a communal changing room as well as a display floor.
    Clemmie said to the customer, ‘Would you like me to pin up the hem for you? We have someone who can do the alteration if you decide on that dress.’
    â€˜No, it’s not quite right.’ The customer proceeded to disrobe.
    Clemmie was not fazed. She turned back to Ellie and Susan, gesturing to some chairs. ‘Would you like to take a seat?’ She pushed doors open to reveal evening wear on rails, each item encased in a plastic cover. ‘Peach?’ Clemmie ran a hand along the