Page 73 of Murder in the Winter Woods
Margaret turned and looked at Pippa, her eyes cold. ‘I’m tired of being underestimated, Pippa dear. Very tired indeed.’ Then she gave a warm smile. ‘That’s why I made some special muffins, dear. Where have they got to? I think all of you should have one.’
33
‘Isn’t that your friend the detective inspector?’ Jono asked.
The whole table – Sean and Julia and Tabitha and Jono and Laine – looked up from their table at the Topsy Turnip in astonishment. The person coming towards them, moving slowly across the crowded room,lookedlike Hayley Gibson, but it seemed impossible that it was indeed her. She was wearing a bright green jumper, featuring a goofy red-nosed reindeer. On her head – and this, honestly, Julia could not believe – was a headband with antlers.
Julia could only nod.
‘She looks…different,’ said Jono.
‘I saw my dentist at the gym once,’ Laine said. ‘She was wearing a leotard. Couldn’t believe my eyes. It was so confusing. I was like, where’s your apron thingy and your mask, and why aren’t you wearing those magnifying glasses? And why are you socheerful?’
Tabitha cackled at this anecdote, and said, ‘Ah, Laine, you are a card.’
Behind Hayley was Sylvia in a red dress speckled with star-shaped snowflakes. From a close-fitting bodice, it flared out prettily into a short skirt, under which she wore greenand red striped wool tights, and little boots. Somehow, she looked completely appropriately attired, Christmassy and rather gorgeous, and also just like herself.
Hayley was at the table now, and they all did their very best to behave as if there was nothing remarkable about her attire, and as if this wasn’t the first time in living memory that she had been seen in an outfit other than her uniform of dark trousers (occasionally jeans on weekends) and a rotation of plain and sensible shirts and jackets, varied only slightly, as the weather conditions demanded.
‘Hello!’ said Sean, rather too loudly. ‘And Merry Christmas Eve to you both! Don’t you look festive?’
‘Sylvia loves Christmas,’ said Hayley, somehow managing to look proud and pleased and mildly embarrassed all at the same time.
‘Oh, I do!’ said Sylvia.
‘Which is how I find myself somewhat unexpectedly at the Topsy Turnip Christmas Eve Celebration and Singalong,’ clarified Hayley.
‘Hayley is very kind to indulge me.’ Sylvia put her arm through Hayley’s and squeezed her.
The detective blushed and grinned and said, ‘Well, it is Christmas, after all.’
‘Dentist,’ muttered Laine out of the side of her mouth, to Jono.
‘Hayley, look how nicely your outfit matches Leo’s,’ said Jono. And indeed it did. Leo was wearing the green jumper Julia had bought at the Christmas market. Its red edging matched Rudolf’s nose. ‘We should get a picture.’
Hayley’s arched eyebrow was answer enough. She and Sylvia sat down, without photographic evidence of their good cheer.
‘Well, isn’t this festive? And it’s filling up fast. We should probably order something to eat before the music starts.’ Seanwaved politely at the waitress, who smiled and nodded to indicate that she’d noticed.
‘Shall we get nice bar snacks to share?’ said Julia.
‘Good idea. Everyone okay if I order a selection?’
‘I’m happy to put my fate in your hands, Sean,’ said Tabitha. ‘Order away.’
The waitress came over, her piercings glinting in her nose and eyebrow as the coloured Christmas lights flashed on and off, her pen poised over her notepad. ‘Well, if it isn’t Laine King!’ she exclaimed, lowering her pen and pad.
‘Bonnie!’ Laine got to her feet to hug her. ‘Wow, it’s been ages.’
‘I was away for a few years. Came home a month or two ago. I heard you were wandering about the place with a goat,’ Bonnie said, peering hopefully under the table, but locating only two dogs in Christmas gear. Leo looked up and wagged his tail in welcome.
‘I do indeed, but she’s not here. Most venues are very species-ist. Happy to let dogs come along with their humans, but arrive with a goat…’
‘It’s not fair, really. How are they ever going to hear live music with that attitude?’
The girls laughed, and Bonnie said briskly: ‘Now, what are you having?’
‘We’re going to share…’ said Sean, running his finger down the bar menu. ‘I was thinking, maybe…’
