Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
By the time I left the clinic, the sun had run away, and a steady rain fell. Summers in Scotland were as unpredictable as the winters, and I’d learned to dress in layers for any kind of weather. I found Mara waiting outside the pub.
“What happened to summer?” I asked.
She laughed. “Are you excited about finding a dress?”
“I actually need two,” I said.
“Oh?” She shared her umbrella as we walked the short way to Lulu’s shop.
“One for the gala tomorrow night, and another for the dance on Saturday. You’re the one who reminded me.”
“Oh, right. Have I mentioned it’s been a busy day? Summers are killer, as you Americans like to say. And that is a good idea. I can’t wait to see what Lulu has in stock.”
“I hope she is resting that wrist,” I said.
“Oh, she was with her shop assistant, Mrs. Quinn, who was fussing over her.”
Mrs. Quinn was another one of my patients and a lovely, caring soul.
“I had no idea she was working there.”
“She’s helping out through the holidays to earn a bit extra,” Mara said. “Her grandchildren are coming for Christmas, and she wants to spoil them.” Of course, Mara knew the whole story. She was easy to talk to and there were no secrets in this town.
That didn’t surprise me. While she wasn’t great at keeping her blood sugar and blood pressure under control, she was as sweet as they came.
It thundered as we entered the eclectic shop. Lulu had a mix of everything from baubles, which is what they called Christmas ornaments, to art, clocks and other antiques, and assorted gifts. Those were in the front of the shop, and the back was dedicated to new and vintage clothing.
Some of the 1960s and 1970s styled outfits were made by Lulu. The shop was a treasure, and I’d never failed to find a gift in there, nor something to wear for an event. I prayed that held true today, as I had no time to shop in Edinburgh.
“Good afternoon, kids,” Lulu said as we made our way to the back of the shop.
I loved that we were middle-aged, and she considered us kids. Today, Lulu’s outfit was bright fuchsia and her eye shadow matched.
“How are you feeling? I hope you are resting that wrist.”
“Aye, Doctor, I’m behaving.” She smiled and pointed to her wrist, which rested on the counter. She was sitting, as well.
“So, miracles do happen,” I told her. She wasn’t the sort to follow instructions if she didn’t agree and even though she was in her seventies, nothing slowed her down.
Well, except a roller blading accident.
“Oh, you.” She pointed to me.
“I’m making sure she keeps that ankle up,” Mrs. Quinn said as she bustled out of the backroom. Her arms were full of clothes on hangers.
“Bless you, Mrs. Quinn, for looking after our Lulu,” Mara said.
“I dinnae need looking after. I’m perfectly capable,” Lulu argued.
I hid my smile.
“That you are, which is why I’m grateful you’re letting me help out,” Mrs. Quinn said as she hung up clothing on the racks. “I didn’t realize how bored I was at home. It is so fun to have people to talk to and selling them gifts they love.”
“You’ve been a blessing to me, Minerva.”
Mrs. Quinn’s plump cheeks turned pink. She was quite good at managing our friend Lulu. Today Mrs. Quinn wore a simple black dress, which was her color of choice since her husband had passed away two years before. She spoke often of him and had wonderful stories she shared during her appointments.
“Is there anything specific you are wanting today?” Lulu asked.
“We are shopping for the big gala in Edinburgh for Ewan’s mum’s charity. And Em needs a dress for Saturday night, as well. Maybe I do too.”
“You’re in luck,” Lulu said. “I’ve several new shipments come in the last few days, and Minerva has steamed and hung up most of the garments.”
“We only have one more box to open, I’ll do that now while you shop.”
Mara and I gathered several outfits each. I picked some long gowns, one of which was an emerald color, that I prayed fit. In the dressing room, I put it on first.
The tag read Tadashi Shoji. I didn’t know the designer, but as I slid on the crepe sheath, I was more than pleased with the fit.
The V-neck emerald dress had long bell-shaped sleeves, and the front gathered into a flower of sorts made of the same material.
The way it hung was quite flattering to my figure.
“I found a winner,” I said to Mara, who was in the dressing room next to me.
“Already? Let me see.”
I stepped out and she pulled her curtain to the side. She wore a bright yellow frilly dress that was definitely not her.
“Oh, that is pretty,” she said. “I can’t believe you found something with the first try-on.”
“It was the color.”
She snorted.
“What’s so funny?”
“Well, I thought I could wear yellow, but not this sunshine version. It makes me look sallow and the ruffles seem like I’m playing dress up with my mum’s clothes.”
“I have a silver kitten heel that will look perfect with that, Doc,” Lulu said. “Minerva, get her a size eight. They are to your right behind the door in the back.”
Minerva nodded.
“And you, young lady, that is not your color,” she said to Mara.
“Moving on,” Mara said.
Finding the second dress took a bit longer, but I found a peacock blue tea-length that would be perfect for the dance on Saturday. The event was for the whole town, and jeans and a top would be fine, but sometimes it was fun to dress up.
Mara and I had been so busy trying things on, we hadn’t noticed the other customers coming in. One of whom, was the possible mistress of Mr. Burns.
She was at the counter with a pile of clothes and gifts.
“I’ll need your ID,” Lulu said.
The woman handed it to her.
“It doesn’t have the same name as the card, this is a gentleman’s card,” Lulu said.
The mistress pointed a finger. “Stop messing about. He gave me the card to buy myself some things.”
“I’ve no way of knowing that do I?” Lulu held her ground. “You could have stolen it.”
The woman huffed. She pulled her cell phone. “Jeremy, this old woman at the store is giving me a hard time with your card.”
Lulu’s eyebrows went up. No one who knew her would dare to call her old.
The woman handed her the cell phone.
“Hello?” Lulu said.
She seemed to listen for a few minutes.
“Right. Well, enough. Except, I have the right to kick out customers when they are rude, and that will be happening, Mr. Burns. You might mention to your lady friend that in the future she is not welcome in my shop.”
She handed the woman the phone. “Out.” She pointed a finger toward the door.
“How dare you,” the mistress bristled.
“I do not know who brought you up, but manners matter in Sea Isle. We are a kindly town, and we treat others with respect. Minerva, please escort her out.”
“Well, I never,” the woman stuffed the card back in her purse.
“And you never will in my shop,” Lulu’s tone was biting.
The woman turned and bumped into another lady standing there staring at her.
“You said Jeremy,” the woman said. “Would that be Jeremy Burns?”
“What does it matter to you?” the mistress said.
“Because he’s my husband,” Mrs. Burns said. Her face showed no emotion. “So, the reason he didn’t want me shopping today was because he knew you would be here.”
“I’ve no idea what you mean,” she tried to push past Mrs. Burns, but the other woman grabbed her arm.
“You aren’t special, and you aren’t the first or the last. You are one of many.” The words were said softly, almost as if she were sad, not angry. I understood that kind of betrayal. It was not an easy experience.
The mistress yanked her arm away. “Do you think I care? He likes to spend time with me and buy me presents. Maybe you should think about not being such a shrew. Then he wouldn’t cheat on you.”
The gasps in the shop were audible. I may have been guilty as well. I felt sorry for the wife, and I sympathized with her. I was surprised she kept her cool. I’m not sure I would have been as graceful.
As much as I wanted to go after the mistress to ask about the night of the murder, it wasn’t the right time.
I could imagine, though, she would be cold enough to help kill someone, as she showed no remorse to Mrs. Burns.
I had a feeling if she was to benefit financially, she would do just about anything.
Once the woman left, all the color drained from Mrs. Burns’ face.
“Minerva, take Mrs. Burns to the break room and make her a cuppa,” Lulu suggested softly.
Mrs. Burns sniffed. “You dinnae have to do that,” she said.
“We have to look out for one another,” Lulu said. “That horrible woman will get what she deserves.”
Mrs. Burns glanced at the door. “One can hope. I have no idea what he sees in them. Other than they are young and fit. Usually, he keeps them in Edinburgh, though. This is the first time I was forced to meet one of them. And before you judge me, he’s always been like this.
I enjoy doing my charity work and he leaves me alone.
I join him for events and play the dutiful wife.
It works for us. But this was a bit beyond belief. ”
“You’ll find no judgment here,” I said. “We just want you to be OK. That was too much for anyone to bear.”
“Thank you for understanding,” she said. Then she ducked her head to hide the tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Come along dear,” Minerva said. “Have a cuppa with me.”
Mara and I took a deep breath at the same time. The atmosphere had been tense.
“Sorry you had to witness that,” Lulu said.
“Dinnae apologize,” Mara said. “That was brilliant, Lulu. You put her in her place.”
“Will not do any good. She’s one of those women who thinks of no one but herself. I’m not one to judge about relationships, but she could have at least pretended to be ashamed.”
“Agreed,” I said. “Thank you for looking after Mrs. Burns. That is sweet of you.”
“Minerva has a way with people. She’ll get her settled. A blessing that one. I’m glad to have her helping me. Now, you two get back to shopping. Let’s see what you pick out next.”
After grabbing more shoes and bags to go with our outfits, we checked out. Minerva came out of the back to wrap our packages and put them in the shopping bags.
“Well, that was interesting,” I said as we stepped outside.
“Do you remember her being at the train station the night of the murder? The girlfriend, not the wife.”
“Aye. She wore that ridiculous red wig that came past her bum. I remember thinking she was one of the storytellers in her flapper dress, but she mentioned she was a guest when I couldn’t find her on my list. She was Mr. Burn’s plus one.
But I explained he hadn’t RSVPd. She said he had.
We had room, so I let her in. She was holding up the line, and I didn’t want to argue. ”
“That’s strange. Why would she go without him? Maybe, they planned the murder together.” I hadn’t realized I’d said the last bit out loud until I noticed Mara’s expression.
“And I was the one who let her in.” She made a face.
I waved a hand. “No. No. Don’t do that to yourself. We have no idea if she was there for nefarious purposes.”
But she had opportunity, unlike the partner. And if the accountant had been feeling poorly, which was likely, she could have shoved him in that closet.
For the second time that day, I texted Ewan.
He replied he was hung up with something, but he would come by later that evening to talk.
My phone dinged. It was Jasper.
The text said: Help! Please come to the shop.
“Jasper needs us,” I said. “He’s in trouble.”
“Oh, no,” Mara said.
We hurried down the sidewalk.