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

washed the pots up.
Julianne and Carlos had left five minutes before. Julianne even had the cheek
to produce a ready-made contract for Grace to sign. Grace had told her firmly
that she needed time to think about it.
    Abbie
sat on the counter top next to Grace and said, “What’s wrong with you? I
thought you’d be pleased. You can see now that they’re not up to anything.”
    Grace
put the scrubbing brush down. “That figure that Carlos gave me was less than
forty per cent of the value. Forty per cent! It’s insulting.”
    “He
did explain about the housing market being in a bad shape at the moment.”
    “Lies!
All lies! I had a good chat with some estate agents today. Apparently, I live
in a well sought-after place. I knew they were up to something! And they way he
treats Julianne! So controlling.”
    Abbie
frowned. “I don’t know what you mean.”
    Grace
paused. Abbie probably didn’t know what she meant. She had been controlled by
her good friend, Brooke, for years and hadn’t realised. Brooke and Carlos,
they’d make a good couple. Grace narrowed her eyes. What if they were a couple?
What if Abbie had found out about them? She could see either one of them mowing
Abbie down without a second thought.
    Abbie
moved closer. “What’s wrong? Your face is all scrunched up.”
    “Just
thinking,” Grace replied. She wasn’t going to share her thoughts with Abbie.
“What are we going to watch tonight?”
    Abbie
settled on The Office. Grace would have liked to have done some online research
but she wasn’t sure Abbie would appreciate her checking up on Julianne and
Carlos again so soon.
    Big
Bob was the first person through the shop door the following morning. He boomed
out, “Good morning to you both! How are you this fine Wednesday morning?”
    Frankie
jerked his thumb towards Grace and said, “She won’t let me drive her car.”
    Grace
tutted. He sounded like a child. Big Bob must have thought so too, he said,
“It’s Grace’s car, for her only. You could always get your own car. Anyway, I
thought you liked that van of yours. What did you say about it? That women are
always impressed with how big it is.”
    Grace
snorted. There was a variety of noises coming from her this morning. She made a
gagging noise as Frankie smugly said, “Yeah, that’s right. And of course,
there’s more room in the back of a van than a car. If you know what I mean.”
    Big
Bob gave him a stern look and said, “I do know what you mean. Please don’t talk
like that in front of your sister. And I hope to goodness that you don’t take
any young ladies into the back of your van.”
    Frankie’s
smile dropped. He sighed and said, “They keep saying no.”
    Big
Bob shook his head. He turned to Grace. “I’ve got my bank details but there’s
no rush for the money. I’m pleased that you like the car. Frankie said you’ve
been driving it a lot.”
    Grace
smiled. “I have, I love it. Are you sure the price is right? It seems low to
me.”
    “It’s
a family price, I consider you part of my family. My brother knew your dad too,
he wouldn’t dream of taking a higher price.”
    “Tell
him thank you,” Grace said. She took the piece of paper from Big Bob. She
turned to Frankie and said, “And thank you to you, for the car money. I do
appreciate it, and, if you want, I’ll let you drive my car.”
    Frankie
shrugged and said, “Whatever. I don’t think I want to now.”
    Big
Bob burst out laughing. “Frankie Abrahams! You’re such a child, don’t ever
change.”
    Frankie
frowned, then he smiled and said, “Thanks.”
    Big
Bob stayed for a cup of tea and a catch up. It was lovely to have him near,
almost like having their dad back. Grace sighed. Not Dad exactly, maybe a
kindly uncle. Anyway, it was nice to have someone care about them.
    Grace
went to the bank at lunch-time to transfer the money to Big Bob’s account.
Whilst the bank assistant was transferring the money Grace asked him, “I’ve got
my mortgage with