A Deadly Lesson (Storage Ghost Murders Book 5) by Gillian Larkin Read Free Book Online Page A

shop,” Abbie said, her disappointment clear.
    “Not
just any travel agent, that fancy one down the road. I’ve always been too
scared to go in, I’ve always felt so scruffy,” Grace said. “Now I’ve got a
reason to go in.”
    The
shop door opened. Abbie beamed as Frankie sauntered in. Grace’s mouth watered
as an aroma of bacon and sausage wafted towards her.
    Frankie
threw a paper bag at her. “I didn’t know what to get you. You’re always on some
sort of diet. Eating bread one week, then not eating it the next week.”
    Grace
began to open the paper bag. “I think you’re getting me mixed up with someone
else.”
    Frankie
went on, “Then I thought that all women eat salads, but then I didn’t know what
kind of salad you liked so I got you ...”
    “A
bag of lettuce,” Grace held the bag up in disgust.
    Frankie
smiled and nodded at her. “You’re welcome.”

 

Chapter 12

 
    Grace
felt better after supplementing her bag of lettuce with a Pot Noodle that she
found at the back of a kitchen cupboard. She quietly called out for Pearl when
Frankie wasn’t within earshot. The old ghost didn’t appear. She had never been
absent for this long before and Grace was beginning to worry. Abbie had also
made herself scarce.
    Frankie
and Grace were busy in the shop for the rest of the day. At four-thirty Big Bob
entered the shop. He had to duck to get his bear-like frame through the door.
    He
walked over to Grace and dangled a set of keys in front of her. “Don’t shout
but I’ve taken the liberty of organising a car for you.”
    “What?”
Grace took a step back.
    Big
Bob faltered at her expression, he lowered the keys. “Oh! Me and my big ideas!
Sorry, Grace, I wasn’t thinking straight. My brother is selling his car and I
immediately thought of you. Ignore me, I’ll take it away.”
    “What
sort of car is it?” Frankie asked.
    “A
Ford Focus, dark blue, five years old. He’s taken good care of it. Don’t pay me
any attention, Grace, I’ll drive it back to him.”
    “Where
is it now?” Grace asked.
    “I’ve
parked it round the back.” There was a pause. “Are you interested? You could
have it for the night, drive it around, see what you think.”
    Grace
looked at the floor and muttered, “I don’t know.”
    Frankie
said, “At least have a look at it. Big Bob’s come round specially. It won’t
hurt to look at it. You can even sit inside it and pretend to drive.”
    Grace
looked up. Big Bob was smiling at her expectantly. He was so kind. She held her
hand out. “Thank you, that’s very thoughtful. I’ll have a look at it.”
    Big
Bob nodded and dropped the keys into her hand. “No pressure. If you don’t like
it, just let me know. Frankie, are you ready?”
    “I
am. Grace, lock up. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Frankie reached for his coat.
    “Where
are you going?” Grace asked.
    “Out.
Don’t forget to lock the till.”
    Big
Bob threw Frankie a disgusted look. “Don’t talk to your sister like that.
Grace, we’re going to look at shop premises, I’m thinking of branching out. I’d
like Frankie’s opinion.”
    Frankie’s
chest puffed out, Grace struggled to keep her laugh in. She said, “Okay, have a
good time.”
    Grace
closed the shop five minutes after Frankie left. If she was going to drive that
car she didn’t want to get stuck in rush hour traffic. And, it was already dark
outside.
    “What
am I thinking? I can’t drive at this time of the day!” Grace said to herself.
    Abbie
appeared and said, “Course you can, stop being a wimp.”
    “I
can’t help it, I know I’m a wimp. There’ll be a bus in ten minutes. I’ll think about
the car tomorrow.”
    Grace
stepped out of the shop and in to a downpour. Muttering to herself she walked
around to the back of the shop and stopped at the little blue car. It was a
lovely car.
    Grace
got in and immediately switched the engine on. If she didn’t give it too much
thought she could just get going. The radio came on. One