Deadly Start by Clark Nefri (recommended ebook reader .TXT) 📗

has you here. You know all the right things to say which is why the other ladies are surprised you’re working in a shop.” She leaned toward Charlotte with a conspiring wink. “They think you have a past.”

Dread clutched Charlotte’s stomach.

“A past? Everyone has one.”

“Talk is that you know people.”

A little bit of the panic subsided.

“Any particular people?”

“Yes.” Glenys was so far across the counter she might fall if one palm wasn’t on the timber top. “The rich and famous. We think you might have been one of those consultants, or publicists, the ones who tell them what to say and how to say it.”

Charlotte managed to keep a straight face. She leaned a bit closer to Glenys. “Well, I can tell you—”

“Hello, Glenys. Back again?” Rosie arrived with a box on her lap.

Glenys straightened, annoyance flashing across her face. “Rosie. Nice to see you.”

Even Rosie picked up this wasn’t true, but she just raised her eyebrows and moved around to her spot behind the counter. She placed the box on the counter and Glenys immediately looked at it.

“Are you buying another book for the giving box?” Rosie asked. “Everyone is being so generous.”

“No. Not today. I have a doctor’s appointment so will take my leave.” She shuffled off, using her walking stick until she was almost past the window, then picked up her pace without it.

Charlotte groaned and leaned against the counter. “May I lock the door when you aren’t here? Please?”

“And what was that all about?”

“She and the ‘ladies’ have decided I am some kind of past consultant for, as she says, the rich and famous.”

“You could go with that. Come up with some fancy stories and have them eating out of your hand. Think of all the sales you’d make.”

“You want me to lie? Just to make money?” Charlotte grinned. “What’s in the box?”

“This is a present for Trev.”

Charlotte’s heart did a silly little jump.

“Oh. Will it reach him in time?”

“I hope he might make it up in the next few days. He normally visits, depending of course on what antics that town of his is up to.” Rosie laughed. “As you well know, he can’t turn his back when somebody needs him.”

“This is true. He’s pretty good at fixing things.”

That was an understatement. When Charlotte was being held in a cave by a former patient, Trev risked his life propelling down a cliff despite his fear of heights. He wasn’t the only person out to catch the man but seeing Trev’s face when all seemed lost was a moment she’d never forget.

“Charlie?”

“Oh, sorry. So, is it chocolates?”

“No. Actually, I am still of two minds. Would you give me your opinion?”

“Sure. Not that I know him well enough to be a good judge.”

Rosie gave her one of those looks she was getting familiar with. A touch of disbelief and a smattering of ‘get real’.

Nestled amongst tissue paper was a photo frame made of timber. The photo was at a sportsground. Three people had their arms around each other, and it took a moment for Charlotte to work it out. Rosie, a man who must be her husband, and Trev as a teenager. He wore cricket gear and held a trophy.

“When was this taken?”

“Trev’s team had won the Grand Final for the region and he was named Best and Fairest. That’s his dad, my Graeme. He coached the team, so it was double celebrations.” Rosie traced Graeme’s image with a finger. “I used to go to every game. Take the lunches and do the scoring. Such lovely memories.”

“Why are you of two minds? It is a beautiful photograph.” Charlotte sat next to Rosie.

“This was the last game Trev played. He was all set to play the following season, and Graeme was coach again, but then I had my accident…”

Charlotte took Rosie’s hand. “So, it changed all your lives. And you’re worried Trev might feel some regret or relive the fears he would have experienced.”

Rosie nodded. There were tears in her eyes and her lips trembled.

“I can understand you might worry about his reaction, but seeing as you asked for my opinion, I’m going to give it to you.” Charlotte passed a box of tissues to Rosie with her spare hand. “This photograph captures an important and wonderful moment in time. Whatever happened afterwards is unrelated to the excitement and pride I can see in all three of these faces. This celebrates not only the win, but a family who support and love one another. And now I might take a tissue if you don’t mind.” Her voice squeaked uncharacteristically.

Rosie passed them back and Charlotte dabbed her eyes. As a psychiatrist, she’d heard many stories of loss and regret, but knew how to file them into her collection of mental boxes to avoid the powerful emotions of her patients. This was different. She had no box set up to lock away this kind of reaction. One borne from caring about the subjects.

She sipped some water as Rosie replaced the cover of the box.

“Good. That’s settled then. Would you wrap it for me, please?” Rosie didn’t look at Charlotte and there was a tell-tale quiver in her voice.

“I will. So, go and freshen up before the book club ladies arrive and get all judgemental.”

With a startled glance out of the window, Rosie wheeled off toward the bathroom. “They’d better not start!”

There was no sight of them, but it got Rosie moving and gave Charlotte a moment to blow her nose and pull herself together. Hopefully, Trev wouldn’t react this way. Not that she’d be around when he opened it. Or probably even see him.

Chapter Twenty-One

All afternoon the shop was bursting with customers, some panic buying with Christmas Eve looming. There was no time for anything other than a quick sip of water anytime Charlotte made it to the counter, which was mostly to drop off armfuls of books for Rosie to put through the register.

There was a backlog of books to be gift wrapped, and Charlotte had offered to