Page 17 of Honey Mead Murder

“Well, shite,” Murphy muttered.

They watched Natalia chase him out of the shop. She stood on the pavement, breathing heavily and holding a heavy glass vase in her hand. At the same time, Darren vanished around the corner.

“There’s definitely trouble in paradise with the Fishwicks.” George took a bite of his pastry. He watched while Natalia continued to shout curses. “But did the trouble involve dry ice in a drink?”

“No idea.” Murphy gestured with his coffee cup to something behind George. “Am I imagining things, or is Darren driving a suspiciously familiar vehicle?”

“Same colour.” George watched it drive by them, checking for damage to the side. “Same dent. It is indeed a suspiciously familiar car.”

“Get back here, you bastard!”

Everyone at the Coffee Pot twisted around to watch Natalia. She rushed out of her shop and launched a vase at the passing car. Darren wisely sped up until he was out of sight—and reach of her arm.

With a shriek of frustration, Natalia spun around and returned to her shop. The door slammed shut behind her. There was a shocked silence for all of a second before hushed conversations picked up around them.

“Coffee and a show?” Murphy whistled, shaking his head. “Not exactly what I hoped we’d discover if we came into the village.”

“Hello, lads.” Teagan waved cheerily at them. They grabbed a chair and sat at their little table. “Sorry to crash your coffee date.”

“Less of a date, more of a live screening of the latest TV show—Real Housewives of Dufftown.” George continued to keep an eye on the floral shop. He could see Natalia on her phone. She was waving her hands around widely. “Not a happy woman. Maybe someone should offer her a sympathetic ear?”

“Not a bad idea. She might be more amenable to answering questions about Darren, Ella, and Ronald.” Murphy glanced over at Teagan. “You’re a neutral party.”

“You say the sweetest things.” Teagan rolled their eyes. They grabbed the pastry left on Murphy’s plate and scarfed it down in one bite. “Fine. I’ll go check on dear Natalia. Here’s hoping she remembers my auntie. Maybe I can use it to get myself in the door.”

With a beleaguered sigh, Teagan chugged down the last of their coffee. They made their way across the street and inside the florist. George and Murphy watched through the window.

Natalia seemed hostile at having her private angst intruded upon. It was hard for George to tell from a distance. He’d never been brilliant at reading body language.

“We should stop staring.” Murphy nudged his knee to get his attention. “Natalia might notice and realise Teagan’s kindness has an ulterior motive.”

“It does.”

“True, but probably better for Teagan if Natalia doesn’t realize it’s anything other than perhaps a normal amount of curiosity mixed with concern.” Murphy bent down to check on Bumble, who’d stretched out between them. “Belly full of whipped cream. He seems quite pleased with himself.”

“Spoilt little monster. Of course he is.”

They pretended to focus on their coffee. But really, George knew they were both more interested in the conversation at the florist shop. He had no idea if Natalia would tell Teagan anything at all.

George couldn’t help risking a glance across the street to see Teagan exiting the shop. “Conversation appears to be over.”

“Longer than I thought it’d be. From Natalia’s mood, I figured she’d kick Teagan out almost immediately.” Murphy peered into his coffee cup. “Are you finished?”

“Yep?”

“Why don’t we have Teagan give us a lift back to the brewery? We can speak there without anyone listening to our conversation.” Murphy gathered up their empty cups and plates. “I’ll take care of these.”

While Murphy was inside the Coffee Pot, George sent a message to his cousin. Margo immediately invited all three of them over. He figured Teagan and Murphy wouldn’t mind. Bumble would be excited to see his best friend as well.

“Everything all right?” Murphy returned just as Teagan made it back to their table.

“Margo’s inviting us over to her cottage. She has snacks.” George also knew his cousin struggled with loneliness. She’d developed a fear of driving after the accident, so she didn’t get out much. “She knew Darren fairly well. Might be able to give us more insight.”

“I’m all for snacks,” Teagan readily agreed. “Why don’t I drive us to the brewery? You can pick up your Range Rover so you don’t have to double back later.”

When they finally arrived at Margo’s, Bumble was bouncing excitedly. He always recognised when they were getting close to her place. George struggled to get him out of his safety belt with all the wiggling.

“Bumble. Calm yourself.” George finally had to set him down. He immediately bolted for the cottage. Margo had already opened the door. Treacle met his best friend halfway up the path, and they danced around each other excitedly. “You’d never know they see each other at least every few days. You’d think it’s been weeks or months.”

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