Virtually Scared To Death (Julia Blake Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Gillian Larkin Page A

waiting to buy it. I can get you big money! You don’t have to do
anything, let me do it all the talking,” Jasper was saying.
    Mark
quietly answered, “I’ve told you before, I’m using the local company that I’ve
always used. They supported me when I first started out and I’m more than happy
to stay with them. Have you heard the word ‘loyalty’ before, Jasper?”
    Jasper
snorted. “Loyalty won’t make you rich. Just say yes and I’ll get things
moving.”
    I
didn’t want to hear anymore so I took my cleaning things into the bathroom. I
closed the door behind me so I didn’t have to listen to Jasper badgering Mark.
    It
didn’t take me long to clean the bathroom. I straightened some bottles and had
a wipe around. I suspected that Mark cleaned his apartment before I came round
so that he could have more time to chat with me. It must be lonely working from
home.
    Jasper
was still arguing with Mark when I came out of the bathroom. I raised my hand
in farewell to Mark. He waved back.
    There
was a knock at the door. I motioned to Mark that I would open it.
    I
opened the door to Annabel Christie. She did her usual examination of me,
looking me up and down, her nose wrinkling in disgust.
    My
own nose wrinkled. Annabel’s perfume was obviously expensive but it was so
overpowering that it made my eyes water.
    Annabel
clutched her handbag closer and said, “Hello Julia. Don’t you have some ... scrubbing
to do?”
    “I
certainly do,” I said, trying to smile. “Are you coming in?”
    Annabel
held her head up and walked past me.
    I
didn’t want to hang around and listen to the ex spouses arguing. Mark told me
that Annabel only came round when she needed something, usually money. Even
though I didn’t want to know, he told me how much maintenance he pays her. It was
more per month than I made all year.
    As
I closed the door I heard Jasper calling out, “Annabel! How beautiful you look
today? When are you going to come down to London and marry me?”
    I
laughed as Mark replied, “A train leaves every thirty minutes. I can book her a
ticket straight away.”

 

Chapter 3

 
    Mondays
were my busiest days and I was exhausted when I got home. I checked my messages.
None from my children. Too busy living it up at university no doubt. There was
one from my dad.
    I
took my coat off, eased my shoes from my aching feet and then phoned my dad.
    “Hello
love. I’ve had a few calls about new cleaning jobs for you. I’ve got the names
and addresses. You’ll have to get someone to work for you soon, you can’t keep
putting in such long hours,” Dad said.
    I
collapsed onto the settee, “I know but I’m too busy working to find anyone.”
    “I
can do it,” Dad offered. “It’ll give me something to do.”
    “Thanks
Dad, I don’t know what I’d do without you. I’ll come over this weekend and
we’ll try and sort something out. How’s Mum?”
    “She’s
got head lice again. I’ve told her to keep away from the children in her class
but she won’t listen to me. I’ll be glad when she retires from that school.
I’ve had to go out and get that special shampoo again,” Dad complained. “The
man at the shop laughed when he saw me. He said they should start delivering
the stuff to me and save me the journey!”
    We
chatted for a little while longer. I took down the details of potential new
clients and said goodbye to Dad.
    I
turned on my computer. It was so old that it needed five minutes to warm up. I
went into the kitchen and put a ready meal in the microwave - tuna pasta bake.
By the time it was cooked my computer was ready to go.
    I
logged onto my emails to see if there was anything urgent. I saw an email from
Mark with the subject title ‘Here’s the game! Enjoy!’
    I
was far too tired to open the game now. I looked at the other emails. Nothing
needed immediate attention so I turned the computer off and then tucked into my
meal.
    I
wished later that I had opened Mark’s email straight away. Perhaps