Chapter 10 #2
She sat down in one of the leather chairs in front of my desk.
“There was a lot of burning of witches back in the day,” she grimaced.
“Many of the women were innocent and nothing but healers. It was said there were no more witches in Scotland, but the lore is they went into hiding. Now we make reparations to all of our Celtic ancestors. There are some songs and old prayers, and then we write our blessings for the harvest, or whatever you want blessed, and put it into fire.”
“That actually sounds very Sea Isle.”
She grinned. “It’s not a bonfire like our other holidays. It’s a small cauldron of boiling water, and we use special paper that melts in the water. It’s supposed to be cathartic for the community and heal our wounds. That’s what the old doc would say.”
“Well, he seemed to be a good man, so who am I to argue? Besides I enjoy the fact that our little town has so many traditions. I never celebrated the holidays and now we do them all.”
This town loved to celebrate and like my predecessor, I found it to be a healthy way to bring everyone together.
Even though it seemed like we had a different holiday nearly every week.
At the very least, one a month. But the whole community was involved, and it was one of the many reasons I loved my new town.
We were finished with patients by three. I changed clothes and checked in with Abigail.
“Do you want to come with me to talk with Flora?”
“I have a test tomorrow. Do you mind if I stay here and study? We’ll meet you behind the library for the event. If that’s OK?”
“Of course, it’s fine. Will Tommy be all right with everything going on tonight?”
She nodded. “He likes the old language and songs. Though, as usual, we’ll stay on the outside of the crowd.”
“I’ll be right there with you.” Tommy and I felt the same way about crowds.
I would have taken some food to Flora, but Mrs. Beatty would have seen that as an affront. She kept her guests well fed and comfortable. I did make a run to Lulu’s to find something for little Elsie. They were displaced in a strange place, and I wanted to provide some comfort.
I remembered when my dad died. I hadn’t really understood what was happening, only that I would never see him again. My mom left not long after, and my grandmother, who was perfection in human form, took over.
Lulu was my friend Angie’s aunt and had a lovely shop with gifts for all ages. She also carried amazing clothing from all decades. The shop and Lulu, who usually dressed in clothing from the sixties or seventies, never disappointed.
“Emilia, how are you, doll?” she said when I walked into the store. Today she was head to toe in a sky-blue pantsuit, with eyeshadow to match and her hair in a sixties’ beehive.
“I’m great, and how is that wrist feeling?”
“You made me bionic, and it’s better than ever.”
She’d broken it roller blading last spring. It took a few pins, but she healed quickly.
“Good to hear.”
“What do you need today? I have some beautiful party dresses. Angie told me you needed one for this weekend. I heard you’re going with the Constable—again.”
Nothing was a secret in this town. “I’d forgotten about that. And I will be back tomorrow to shop for a dress. Today I need gifts for a grieving widow and her sweet little daughter.”
“Oh, I heard about that. Poor dears. I have exactly what you need. Come here, luv.”
I followed her further into the shop. It was full of art, gifts, and so many wonderful things.
“For the wee one, how about one of our fairies? This one oversees dreams. There is a little book that goes with it.”
The doll had braided red hair and the sweetest painted face. She wore a rainbow dress with the word dreams across the top of it. The whole thing was adorable and perfect.
“I don’t know how you do it, but this is exactly what I need.”
“Now, for the widow, something handmade. Here is a small little piece done by Margie Hobbs.”
Mrs. Hobbs owned the local sewing and yarn shop. She had a funny little dog, Fred, who was always running off. She had a deft hand when it came to crafts.
The needle point had a saying framed by flowers. It was the size of my hand, and read: A heart filled with love never forgets. It was a bit more personal than I’d been planning, but it was appropriate. It was obvious Flora loved her husband.
“Can you wrap them each for me?”
“Always. Minerva?” She called out.
“Coming,” Minerva said from the back room.
“Oh, Doctor, how are you?” Minerva’s heavy Scottish brogue was sometimes difficult to understand, but I was getting better at it.
“I’m good, thanks. You’re looking lovely in that jumper.” Her sweater was covered in pumpkins, and her skirt matched.
She patted her hair. “Thank you, luv. I made it. What did you need, Lulu?”
“Grab the two dresses I held back for Emilia. The emerald one and the black one with the lace.”
“I—uh.” I didn’t want to take the time to try on clothes. But sometimes Lulu didn’t understand the word no.
“It will only take a minute, love. You look so pretty in green. I know you’ll love that one.”
While she wrapped the presents, Minerva came out with the two dresses. They were both gorgeous. And she was right. I was drawn to the green one.
“They are beautiful,” I said.
“Try on the green one, quick as you can be,” Lulu said. There was no use arguing and I really wanted to try it on.
A few minutes later, I walked out to check it out in the big mirror in the back. It had long sheer sleeves and a flared skirt. The tea length with a belted waist, which was perfect.
“Fine. Add it to my bill.”
“I have some matching shoes being shipped in tomorrow. So come back. Just happened to order some in your size.”
I laughed. “It’s like you know me, Lulu.”
“I know what my clients like,” she said. “I made that one, by the way. Though the embellishing was done by Margie. She helped with the belt and the cuffs. My eyes are too old for that kind of work.”
I smiled. “There’s nothing old about you,” I said.
“You know that isn’t true better than most,” she replied and then gave me a wink. “Now, while we finish up, can you tell us about the Duncans?”
The women stared at me expectantly.
“I’m afraid the Constable would have my head. And to be honest, per usual, the investigation is ongoing.”
“Feathers,” Lulu said. “Angie said you wouldn’t spill. I’ve been texting her all day. She said she didn’t know either.”
“She doesn’t. We’re still running a lot of tests, and that’s more than I should say.”
“Well, it’s a sad business,” Minerva said.
“Leaving a wife and poor wee one. And the other one worked on the rigs. Heard that in the pub. And it’s all the demons running around this time of year.
The veil is thin and all sorts of awful things pop through.
We shouldn’t be surprised evil is among us. ” She sounded so dramatic.
“Oh, I have the perfect ribbon for the wee one’s gift.” She toddled off to the back room, as if she hadn’t been speaking about Dante’s seventh ring before.
“Don’t mind her,” Lulu said. “She fancies herself part witch-part fairy. Who knows, she might be. Does seem to have a magic touch when it comes to our clients and the clothing she makes. I hope to be like her when I grow up.”
Minerva was well into her sixties.
I bit down on my lip to keep from smiling.
A few minutes later, I was on my way with a new dress and gifts for Flora and Elsie. My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was Mara.
Boys from the rig are here. They don’t seem happy.
Might want to listen in.
I was a few steps away, and I couldn’t resist. Ewan wouldn’t let me go to the interviews. The pub might be the perfect place for them to chat about it. I stepped inside, and the scent of beer and something wonderful in the kitchen made me feel right at home.
I loved this place and the people who ran it. My stomach grumbled, and I had to laugh.
Mara was behind the bar and motioned to the men who were seated in the booth by the back wall. I took the booth next to them and put down my shopping bags.
“So what did he want to know from you two?” One of the men asked.
“Nothing, boss. Just a bunch of questions about the job and if Duncan got along with everyone.” The man sounded defensive or maybe worried.
“And?” The boss sounded demanding.
“I told him the truth. That his job as a quality inspector didn’t always make him popular, but he got along with most of us.”
There was a long pause. “Did you tell him about the argument?”
The guy who had been talking cleared his throat. “No, sir. You told us not to.”
“How about you?” the boss said.
“I told him I didn’t know anything,” the other man said. His voice was much higher. “Like you told us to. Just that he was a nice bloke.”
“Good men. We don’t need the police in our business. What happens on the rig, stays there.”
“Yes, sir,” they said in unison.
“Let’s get you another round,” the boss said.
I was dying to know about the argument. I wanted to text Ewan and say they lied to him.
But then one of them mumbled something when the boss went up to the bar.
“Do you think he was the one who stabbed Duncan?” the man with the higher voice asked.
“Shhh. Do you want to lose your job? We were all together that day at the pub down the road. He was drunk. That’s the story, and we will stick to it if we want to keep our jobs.”
“Yeah, but he could have gone—”
The door to the pub flew open and Duncan’s friend, Baird, headed straight for the bar.
“You son of—” He pulled on the boss’s jacket and then threw a punch. It happened so fast, it was a blur. The boss fell to his knees.
“Hey,” Mara yelled. “Not in my pub. You take it outside. I’m calling the Constable, now.” She held up her phone with one hand and had a cricket bat in the other that she kept behind the bar. I stood, not certain what I should do.