Small Town Christmas (Some Very English Murders Book 6) by Issy Brooke Page A

hadn’t
even considered yet.
    She felt queasy at the
thought.
    She was deep in her circular
and unproductive ruminations when Ginni returned. Ginni slung her handbag onto
the back seat and said, “Sorry about that, Penny. Are you ready to go?”
    “No problem. Thanks. Ginni, do
you know Linda Osmond well?”
    Ginni grimaced. She set off
driving before she replied. “I do not know her socially. I know her through the
Christmas Planning Committee, and she pops up on various things from time to
time. She tries to get involved in the town business forum and all that, but
she doesn’t qualify. She doesn’t own a business. Except she thinks she’s
entitled to meddle in everyone else’s business.”
    “Ah. She does seem a bit of
a busybody.”
    “Oh, yes. Very much so. And
she thinks she knows best, and there’s simply no debating with her. I tend to
avoid her, if I’m honest. I can be a little forceful myself, as you know. We do
not mix well.”
    Penny smiled at the
understatement. The difference between Ginni and Linda was simple; Ginni was
self-aware, and a nice person. She said, “Do you happen to know what colour car
she drives?”
    “What? Do you think she
might have tried to run you over? I can’t think why. She’s much more direct
that that. If she has a problem with you, she won’t hesitate in coming over and
telling you so. Preferably in front of a large audience.”
    “I’m just speculating,”
Penny said.
    “Hmm. It’s a red one, a
nasty little sports car. It’s too young a car for a woman like that.”
    Ouch, thought Penny. “Do you mean one of those soft-top
convertible types?”
    “Yes. She likes to cruise
around with the top down in summer, all head scarf and big glasses, thinking
she’s Audrey Hepburn or somebody. Was it a convertible that drove at you?”
    “I don’t know. I don’t think
so, because I didn’t see a black top to it, but who knows? What about Haydn –
what do you know of him?”
    “Well, I’ve no idea about
his car. He seems a bit of a sad case to me. He always looks like his washing
machine and ironing board have broken. He’s slightly crumpled, I think. Anyway,
he’s not really local, is he?”
    “The police are
investigating him, didn’t you know?”
    “No, I didn’t. But I try not
to follow gossip,” Ginni said loftily. After a pause, she added, “But why him?”
    “He had argued a lot with
Clive. He used to work under him, and they did not get on.”
    “Everyone argued with Clive.
Even I did, and I’m not a suspect. There must be more to it between them than
that.”
    “Maybe,” Penny agreed.
    They drove down her street,
and Ginni made an awkward fifteen-point turn at the end. It was a cul-de-sac,
and rather narrow. She pulled up outside Penny’s house but before she got out, Penny
said, “And finally, what do you know about Jared?”
    “The technie guy? He seems
harmless enough but he needs a girlfriend to sort him out.”
    Penny smiled. “He’s trying,”
she said. “Thank you for the lift.”
    “Are you sure you’re okay?
You ought to tell the police, you know.”
    “I will, I promise.”
     
     

Chapter Eleven
     
     
    Penny spoke to Cath on the phone about the incident
straight away. The following day, Monday, a community support officer and a
police officer appeared at Penny’s door, took some details, and issued her with
a crime reference number.
    “But that will probably be the end of it,” the officer said
ruefully as Penny showed them out. “Oh, by the way, do you know PC Patel?”
    “We’ve met, yes,” Penny said. “Why?”
    “Oh, he said you were an amazing baker…” The police officer
smiled hopefully and his eyes slid past her, towards the kitchen.
    “Goodness. Have you argued with him about something?”
    “Er … we had a misunderstanding about a parking space but
it’s all blown over now.”
    “I’d suggest it hasn’t. I once gave him food poisoning,”
Penny said. “Sorry.”
    Muttering, the officers