Free Murder on the Levels: An Exham on Sea Cosy Mystery (Exham on Sea Cosy Crime Mysteries Book 2) by Frances Evesham Page B

at one point. “I’ve lost my place, sorry to say. Afraid I’m getting old.” Libby had no chance to get near Simon.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Champagne
    For what seemed like hours, the musicians played. Libby began to think they’d never stop. She ached with tension. At last, Chesterton declared himself exhausted, and offered everyone a glass of the ice-cold champagne he’d slipped into the fridge earlier. Angela dispensed cheese and biscuits while Bear squatted, alert for fragments of food to fall, ready to snaffle every tit-bit before it hit the carpet.
    Simon handed a full glass to Libby. “Did you enjoy listening to our mistakes? I’m afraid age and lack of practice takes its toll. Chester and I are a bit past it, really. Most of the time I only teach, these days. Young Steve’s very talented, though, don’t you think? He’ll go far.”
    Libby couldn’t wait any longer. She abandoned small talk. “I wanted to ask you about that morning in the bakery. You know, the day of the cycling club picnic.”
    “I’ll never forget it.” Simon shook his head. “Two good people killed on a day out. I was one of the lucky ones. Hardly ill at all. Whatever it was, I hadn’t had much of it.”
    Libby blurted out, “That’s the trouble. I think it might all be my fault.”
    “You?” Simon’s eyes widened. “What nonsense. What could you have done?”
    “The chocolates.” It was almost a whisper. “I’m afraid there might have been something wrong with them. I need to know which one you had. You see, I was ill, as well, and so was Joe. Kevin was in the shop with us. I’m not sure about Vince, because I never met him, but he might have been.” Libby’s voice squeaked. She slowed down. “What if everyone who was ill had the same kind of chocolate? There were some chili flavoured, some with parma violet, and a batch of lemon meringue.”
    “And which did you have?” Simon’s voice was very gentle.
    “Violets and lemon meringue.”
    Simon frowned. Libby’s heart thumped. He looked so serious. “Do you know,” he said, “I think you’re suffering from some sort of guilt. Survivor guilt, I think they call it. I had one of those parma violet chocolates, and I was fine. Of course, there was nothing wrong with them. They were wonderful, by the way. You’re a very talented lady.”
    Nothing wrong with the chocolates. The lump that had been stuck in Libby’s chest had gone. It wasn’t her fault. She hadn’t poisoned anyone.
    Simon was smiling. His teeth were very white and even, and his smile lit up his face. He was a most attractive man. Libby felt a delicious glow start in the pit of her stomach and spread through her body, until she knew her cheeks were flaming. It was a good job she was sitting down, for her knees felt wobbly. Simon leaned in. “Libby Forest, I’d like to get to know you better.”
    Libby bit her lips to keep from grinning like an idiot. Deliberately, she sat back and looked around. No need to seem too keen. Nearby, Alice Ackerman flicked a strand of hair behind an ear, smiled and turned her back on Mandy, speaking exclusively to Angela. “Steve gets his talent from his Uncle Geoff, I expect?”
    Steve shook his head. He looked very young and earnest. He’d dispensed with the earrings and nose piercings, today. “I wish I had half his ability.”
    Simon murmured in Libby’s ear. “Look at that young chap. Talented, young, not a care in the world: just like his uncle. Not surprised that Alice girl is keen.”
    Libby whispered, “Mandy’s furious.”
    He laughed, his voice very musical. “All’s fair in love.”
    Was Simon flirting? Libby changed the subject. “Did you know Geoff Miles, then?”
    “Oh, yes, we were old friends. At university together. That’s where he met the lovely Angela, of course, and cut me off, as a matter of fact. I’d had hopes of her for myself.” Simon grimaced. He pointed towards the window. “Look. The sun’s shining. Shall we take our