Agatha Raisin and The Potted Gardener Read Online Free PDF Page B

the kitchen. “Competition, Agatha?” he asked gently.
    They had come to know each other very well during what Agatha thought of as her ‘cases’, but she felt that last remark had been going too far.
    “I don’t know what you mean,” she said huffily.
    “Oh, yes, you do,” said Bill, taking a cup from her. “You’ll be getting a face-lift yourself soon.”
    Agatha grinned at him. “And I’d nearly forgotten how much I like you.”
    Somehow Bill’s very presence made her face Mary and James with equanimity. She introduced Bill properly to Mary and then asked him eagerly about what he was working on.
    “The usual round of things,” said Bill. “You haven’t been around for a while, Agatha, so no one has been getting themselves murdered. But there have been terrible amounts of burglaries in the villages. They come down the motorways from Birmingham and London, finding the villages an easy target because people here don’t go in so much for security and burglar alarms, and a lot of them still leave their cars unlocked and their doors open. You’re well protected here, Agatha. Very sensible of you to get that alarm system in.”
    “Perhaps we should all follow Agatha’s example,” said James.
    Mary gave a little laugh. “Some of us are not made of money. I think I will continue to trust human nature.”
    “I don’t think Agatha here is made of money either,” said Bill sharply, “and considering the reason that she got the system in was because her life was under threat, I think that remark of yours was uncalled for.”
    It was obvious to James that Mary was not used to being pulled up for one of her ‘little remarks’. Then he realized with surprise that Mary quite often said things which could easily be classed as bitchy. He began to feel he had made a bit of a fool of himself over Mary.
    Mary turned slightly pink and said quickly, “I didn’t mean Agatha . How could you think such a thing! You didn’t think I meant you, did you, Agatha?”
    “Yes, I did,” said Agatha.
    Mary spread her well-manicured hands in a deprecatory gesture. “What more can I say? I’m sorry, sorry, sorry .”
    “You’re forgiven,” said Agatha gruffly.
    “When is your greenhouse arriving?” asked Mary.
    “Today. Any minute now.”
    Bill’s narrow eyes filled with humour as he looked at Agatha. “Never tell me you’re going in for serious gardening?”
    “Might try my hand. I’ve joined the horticultural society.”
    Bill raised his hands in mock horror. “Don’t tell me someone is going to be murdered. Don’t tell me you will be going in for any competitions.”
    “Why not?” asked Mary in surprise. “That’s part of the fun. We have the annual show and it’s a very friendly affair, I gather.”
    “You haven’t had Agatha in the society before,” said Bill.
    “How’s your book coming along?” Agatha had turned to James, feeling that if Bill went on he might reveal how she had once cheated in the village baking competition.
    “Slowly,” said James. “I try to knuckle down to it and all the while I’m praying for the phone to ring or someone to call to distract me. Are you going to use the greenhouse right away, Agatha?”
    “Yes, I’m going to get some seed boxes and plant some things.”
    “Tell you what,” said James, “I’ll go to the nursery with you and help you to choose something.”
    Agatha brightened but Mary said, “We’ll all go.”
    “Let me know, anyway.” James got to his feet.
    “I’d best be going as well.” Mary picked up her coat. “Lovely coffee. Probably see you later at the Red Lion. Come along, James.”
    James immediately felt like sitting down again, but he went off with Mary. Agatha slammed the door behind them with unnecessary force and went back to join Bill.
    “Handsome couple,” commented Bill maliciously.
    “Drink your coffee,” said Agatha sourly.
    “I’m teasing you. He actually doesn’t like her.”
    “But I gather they’ve been an