All Was Revealed by Adele Abbott Read Free Book Online Page B

Pet’s Insurance?”
    Oh boy. Why did I always get them?
    “Didn’t you see the picture of a magnifying glass on the card?”
    “Yeah, I did. I assumed that was something you use to help see the smaller pets better.”
    “You’re right. That’s exactly what it is. It’s called a small pet maximiser.”
    He smiled—obviously pleased with himself. “I told Derek that’s what it stood for. He thought it was Pottery Inspector. What an idiot.”
     
    Kathy was behind the counter at Ever A Wool Moment: she looked half asleep.
    “I can see you’re busy.”
    She yawned. “It’s been dead in here all day. What about you? Are you busy?”
    “Run off my feet, as always.”
    “Liar. How’s Jack?”
    “Okay, I think. I haven’t seen or heard from him since the murder mystery evening,” I lied. “I think you might have scared him off.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous. He obviously enjoyed our company. We should do it again some time, the four of us.”
    “Yeah, we should. Some time.” Like the twelfth of never. “Is Grandma in today?”
    “In the back as usual.”
    “Don’t fall asleep while I’m with her.”
     
    “Grandma, do you have a minute?”
    “I always have a minute for one of my favourite grandchildren.”
    “Aren’t I your favourite?”
    “You’re in the top three.”
    She seemed uncharacteristically jolly. Maybe this was a good time to ask her about Miles. Or maybe, she was just lulling me into a false sense of security.
    “I wanted to ask you a favour.”
    “You always want to ask me a favour, Jill.”
    “I’ve just been talking to Miles Best. They’re having a really bad time of it over there at Best Wool.”
    “Really? How very sad. Pass me a tissue.”
    “No. Listen. It sounds really serious. If they can’t get things resolved before the end of the week, they’ll probably go bankrupt.”
    “And I’m supposed to care about that, why?”
    “Because I know deep down, you’re a caring, compassionate person.”
    She laughed.
    “Okay, maybe not. But surely, you can give him one more chance.”
    “Why doesn’t the coward come over here himself, and ask me to reverse the spell?”
    “He’s probably scared of you.”
    “Of me? Why would anybody be scared of little old me?”
    “I wonder.”
    “Do you know your problem, Jill?”
    “I suspect you’re about to tell me.”
    “You’re too soft. You have to learn to be more ruthless. People will walk all over you, otherwise.”
    “He’s promised to close down Best P.I. Services if you reverse the spell.”
    “Ah, now I get the picture. There was I thinking you were being soft, when in fact you were just looking after your own self-interests. That’s my girl!”
    “No, yes. I mean—I think it would be the right thing for you to do.”
    “Let me get this straight. You want me to back off my competition, so that Miles Best will close down Best P.I. Services, which will help you ? That doesn’t seem equitable. What do I get out of the deal?”
    “My gratitude.”
    “What good is that to me? I can’t spend gratitude.”
    “How about if I owe you a favour?”
    What was I doing? Grandma’s favours nearly always involved her feet.
    “A favour? Hmm? Well, that’s different.”
    “So? Is it a deal?”
    “You can tell Miles that his wool will be working before the end of the day, but warn him that he’d better never bad-mouth Ever A Wool Moment again or he’ll regret it.”
    “Thanks, Grandma. I’ll tell him.”
     
    ***
     
    I’d promised to visit The Finger, which was a small thimble shop near the market square in Candlefield. A chime rang as I walked through the door. The interior was delightful; all of the shelves were full of thimbles. It was absolutely charming.
    “Hello.” The squeaky little voice came from the back of the shop. It was the same squeaky little voice that had spoken to me on the phone.
    “Hello there,” I called, but I still couldn’t see anyone.
    Then, a tiny elf jumped onto the stool behind the