Mirror Man by Jacques Kat (ereader for textbooks txt) 📗

As I lay the final knife, I went back to the kitchen. Mum was leaning against the counter now, eyes on the bubbling mince, wine glass in hand. I was at least pleased to see the cigarette had been extinguished; I could always taste the smoke in the food. She didn’t acknowledge me as I skirted around her to get to the side door where I left into the garden and walked around the side of the house to Fred’s cottage.

I often went to his house after I’d fallen out with Mum, or for a change of scenery. Fred tended our plants and cut the grass. He’d been one of Dad’s old school friends and came to live here not long before Nana B and Dad died. He used to work at the pit, but an accident left him unable to do his job.

Grandad allowed him to stay in the cottage for free as long as he did it up and tended the gardens. No one had lived in the cottage for around fifty years, but it was lovely now. It had rustic-looking bricks and a slate roof. Fred had painted the doors, window frames, and sills in gleaming white. He had also fastened a trellis to the brickwork so he could keep the climbing ivy under control. You’d never have known it had been almost derelict for a time.

I used the secret knock we’d come up with, and he promptly answered the door.

‘What’s happening, little fella?’ he said. He always called me that, even though I’d grown up now. It did make me laugh sometimes.

I stared at his slippers as I asked, ‘Can I come in for a bit? I’m staying out of Mum’s way until tea’s ready.’

‘Sure thing, mate.’ He moved aside, venturing deeper into his home so I could come in. I closed the door behind myself as I did. ‘Sit yoursen down. Cuppa tea?’ Fred asked from the kitchen.

‘If you’re having one, I will,’ I replied as I sank onto his old settee.

‘Aye, why not? I’m parched, had a busy day today. Planted Mrs Kelly’s seeds for her. Must have done over a thousand of the little blighters,’ he said while he filled the kettle and pulled out some cups and saucers.

I couldn’t look at Fred while he spoke to me—not enough mirrors—so I kept my eyes on the far wall. He didn’t provide for my needs like my family did, said he wasn’t going to pander to me, but he liked me all the same whether I looked at him or not. This meant I only really knew what he looked like from the back and the side. He had blond hair, always wore a white t-shirt under his blue overalls, and wellies while outside and slippers when inside.

‘Did you know Mum calls her Mrs Nosey-Nelly?’

‘Oh, I know, JC. She took great pride in telling me about your ride home with PC Williams. Any sugar?’ he asked.

‘Two, please. I fell out with mum over it. Mrs Kelly rang her up and told her everything. I wasn’t even doing anything, really.’

‘I know that isn’t true,’ Fred said, bringing over two cups of tea. He didn’t have any mugs, said tea should only ever be served in a cup.

‘What do you mean?’ I asked.

‘Police don’t take people home for no reason.’

I rolled my eyes. ‘That’s what mum said.’

Fred slurped at his tea. ‘So, what did you do? Fighting, shoplifting… You know your dad would be extremely disappointed, JC.’

‘No!’ I lowered my cup from my mouth. ‘Nothing like that. I was just following someone down the estate.’

‘I see. Well, you know my feelings on the matter. At least you ain’t following women, anymore. That’s something.’

‘I guess…’ I shrugged.

‘Did your mam smash one of your mirrors again?’

I hummed. ‘Two this time. I’ll replace them tomorrow and have them up in no time.’

‘Good man. What’s broken can always be replaced.’

Fred didn’t agree with my hobbies. Though, the way I was feeling right now, I felt less inclined to follow anyone at all. Maybe I’d stop until I’d solved the shop mystery. I stared into my cup of tea. I had to share my worries about Mr Phillips, and I knew Fred could be trusted not to tell anyone. He never revealed anything I confided with him.

‘Fred?’

‘Yes, JC.’

‘Something odd is going on in Claude’s Antiques,’ I said.

‘What do you mean odd?’

‘Mr Phillips has been acting weird for weeks now. Ever since he did a house clearance at that big house. Having secret meetings, forgetting to lock up, checking on his safe all the time…’

‘Has he now?’ Fred leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. ‘Have you asked him about it?’

‘Sort of, but he says I needn’t worry,’ I said, putting my cup down to fold my arms. ‘No one tells me anything.’ I slumped back in the seat.

‘Oh, JC, sure they do. As he said, he just doesn’t want you to worry, that’s all.’

I rolled my eyes again. Why shouldn’t I worry about things? I wasn’t a kid anymore.

‘Anyway, I might know what it is,’ he added.

‘You do?’ I said almost leaping from my seat.

‘Well, I overheard Mrs Kelly telling her neighbour that some family members are trying to get something back Claude bought in that house clearance. Apparently, they objected to the sale. They’re demanding it be returned, but Claude bought it fair and square.’

‘Oh, do you really think that’s what it could be?’ I asked.

‘Possibly, but we have to consider the source of the information here. Most of the time, Mrs Kelly is spreading gossip that isn’t true. Don’t worry, kid. If Claude feels you need to know what’s happening, I’m sure he’ll tell you. Now, hurry and drink up before your mam calls you back for your tea.’

I nodded and picked up my cup again. ‘Tina and Pete are coming round tonight. It’s unusual. They normally only come round on Sundays, but it’s Tuesday today.’

‘Happens,’ Fred said mid-slurp. ‘They’ve got something to tell you.’

I frowned and turned