Chapter 2
Chapter two
Robin
WHEN writing my debut novel; Detective Featherton: A Murder Sewn Tight, I hadn’t actually considered the aftermath of getting published.
Disorganisation is my middle name, so whilst planning a fictional murder comes easily, sorting my life out doesn’t.
After I’d sent over all the necessary information back to Aurora, all that was left to do was pack my luggage, a quick job that turned into hours of me fretting.
It was a good job Phin gave me the day to myself, because my panic cleaning and obsessive packing did nothing to crush the nerves about this weekend.
I’d kicked myself for falling asleep, especially when I had so many questions.
Why had he been away for weeks before the opening?
Why did he think his brother was throwing a murder mystery party when he loathed the concept?
He was already gone when I woke up, but despite whether he was there or not, I was still going to go support my friends and protect them from whatever chaos was soon to follow.
Running my palms down my dress, I shift my suitcase from one hand to another awkwardly. Petals drifted down in the light breeze, which holds a warmth that promises another gorgeous summer day. I can feel the heat already soaking into the footpath beneath my chunky sandals.
Before I can change my mind and dive back into my building, a dark blue saloon sails around the corner and screeches to a sudden stop in front of me.
The passenger window creeps down and a bright smile blinds me.
Wearing a black, short sleeve shirt open, with a fitted black vest and layered jewellery, Phin’s rings catch in the light streaming into the car.
His skin looks flawless and he flips his blonde hair back, the long strands on top falling to the side.
“Get in loser! Let’s get this party started!”
Rolling my eyes, I’m unable to hide my own jaw aching smile, because this feels like old times.
“Forever the gentleman. Not going to even grab my bags?” He actually was a gentleman; on Wednesday he'd carried me to bed at some point and tucked me in, but he did finish off my last packet of biscuits before crashing on the sofa.
“Baby girl, you know where the boot is.” Humour twinkles in his eyes and he even winks.
Dragging my suitcase and smaller overnight bag to the back of the car, I unlatch the boot and conceal the low grunt that attempts to escape as I lift.
I can’t get in the passenger side fast enough, where grabby hands are already waiting for me, so I throw myself into my best friend’s arms. Cinnamon and peach once again encases me in a hug that I’ve known my entire life.
Dropping the plastic carrier full of snacks into the footwell, I lock my seatbelt and try to ignore the way his lips are pressing together as he raises eyebrow at me.
“You look…cute?”
“Why are you saying it that way?” I scowl, which only causes him to erupt into laughter.
“Rob, you're covered in bows! You have like, ten bows on you,” he leans back to look down at my feet. “You’re wearing frilly socks and sandals!”
“Hey, bows are in right now. You just said I looked cute!” Pushing his arm, I crinkle my nose, taking in my green cardigan that is littered with black velvet bows.
I also have the top layer of my hair up in a giant bow and silver bows dangling from my earlobes.
Underneath I wear a grungy floral slip. “I see absolutely nothing wrong with this outfit.” I say honestly, tugging at the hem of my mini dress.
He puts his palm to his chest. “Robbie, lie to yourself all you want, but you cannot lie to me. I know you got that dress from a charity shop two years ago. I’m taking you to a glamorous establishment and I demand something fancy.”
It’s my turn to laugh, because only my best friend could be charming and a total brat at the same time.
Phin lived by his personal motto that each day should be special.
He’d wear his best shirt to go get coffee, wax his hair perfectly and wear a smart jacket on a food shopping trip.
Of course he’d be incredibly excited for his hotel opening, but a small part of me had hoped Merle—his boyfriend—would have reigned him in a little.
I don’t know who I’ve been trying to fool, there was no taming this wild, pure hearted man.
Anxiety aside, I couldn’t wait to get on the road to spend the entire weekend with them both.
WE did not in fact get on the road.
I scowl behind me at the imposing stranger, with dark hair long on the top and short on the sides, his short beard groomed perfectly. I hug the bag of chocolate to my chest. “If we halve the bag between us, that means I only get six buttons. How is that fair?”
The guy who just grunted when Phin introduced him as Cardinal, scowls right back at me. “It’s nine in the morning, why would I want to eat chocolate?”
I lean my face past the head rest, deepening the line between my eyebrows.
“What’s the matter with you? You some kind of wild animal?
” I say, sharing with him my imitation of the Grinch.
The pop culture reference goes straight over his head, as he looks into the mirror pleadingly for Phin to make me stop.
Sitting back in my seat, I face the front, smirking as I pop more than three chocolate buttons into my mouth.
I have a feeling he’ll be able to take the back and forth banter—we’ll be quick friends.
“So Cardy, what brings you to this fine vehicle on what plans to be an adequate evening?” Looking in the mirror, he schools me with a look, his eyebrows down as he shakes his head. I study his smart hair cut, sharp jawline and well tailored suit. He’d be attractive if he learnt how to smile.
“My sister Aya is making me come. I thought she’d be picking me up from the station, but well, she texted at the last minute to change plans. Thank you again Phoenix for getting me, and for letting me stay this weekend.”
My best friend's smile is warm and genuine. “You can call me Phin and it’s honestly our pleasure. I’m so excited for everyone to see the place!
” He bounces in his seat, a boyish charm laced with excitement.
“The hotel and the lake house are both fully done. Construction is still ongoing on the venue and another event space. It’s all so close to being finished, so it won’t affect the weekend.
” He pats my knee and gives it a little squeeze.
“We don’t know what to do with the old bird house, but I thought you’d be the perfect person to help come up with some ideas.
” A flicker of pain squeezes my heart that I clumsily try to conceal, but I've always been terrible at hiding anything from him.
Leaving York behind, we enter the quaint countryside, with the sun filtering light into the car through hedges on either side of the road, in choppy motions. Sheep are in one of the fields to my left, a tractor in another.
“Anything for you.” I squeeze his knee back, before doing what I do best; causing quick chaos to distract and change the subject.
I’m still surprised he believed me on how I felt about them taking on the hotel.
Not necessarily the business idea, but more the choice of location.
This isn't the first time I’ll be staying at the manor house; infact, six months ago it was meant to be my home.
“So Cardy, what's it to be? ABBA or Harry Styles?’’ I smirk into the rearview mirror, scrolling through my playlist.
He groans. “Neither, I’d rather sit in silence.”
I whirl around in my seat to face him once again, my bangs falling into my face and I smile with malice. “Well Buddy, welcome to Robin’s car take over. I’ll be escorting you on this journey today, through the eras of the best cheesy pop music of all time.”
“I sing the chorus to Teenage Dirtybag at an ear splitting pitch. My voice breaks and beside me Phin tries to hold in his laughter. We’re thirty minutes into the journey and so close to Nightingale House.
I threw every good and bad pop song I could think of at him, singing along, turning the volume up; he gave me nothing, not even a crack in his brooding facade.
I thought I saw his finger tap to Busted’s Thunderbirds, so I changed tactics and put on an alternative classic.
Finally with a loud sigh, he puts two wireless earbuds into his ears.
Smiling triumphantly, I turn the volume down once he seems distracted and twist slightly to have the conversation I’d purposely been avoiding.
Best to just get my questions out of the way.
“Do you know why Corbin is throwing a murder mystery party?”
“I’m really sorry. Over a month ago we had a meeting with him to discuss when we planned to open the hotel, and the moment we mentioned a friends and family weekend, I knew it piqued his interest. Merle said I was being paranoid, but a week ago he emailed him to say he was hosting the party, and we should accommodate his guest list. I know we should've said no, took control, but you know what he gets like. He’s already doing us a huge favour by letting us buy the property. ”