Murder in Style Read Online Free PDF Page B

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    Which the neighbours didn’t understand, no, not really. But they fluttered away. The widower frowned at Leather Jacket, who had attached himself to Trixie’s side, and looked on the point of saying something sharp to him. The businessman thrust himself between them, saying he had his car outside, and could he give anyone a lift to the house? So the neighbours had not been invited back to the house, but the businessman had? Trixie was going in Leather Jacket’s car, was that right?
    Surely the funeral director would have provided at least one car for the mourners? And wasn’t it supposed to be family only back at the house?
    Juno, slowly pushing her husband in his wheelchair back down the aisle, spotted the group at the back, whom Ellie had guessed might work at The Magpie. Juno abandoned her husband in his wheelchair to greet them. She took their hands one by one and said how good it was of them to come, and she was so sorry but they were only having family back at the house. They all three said they quite understood, and they were so, so sorry … and disappeared.
    Which left the middle-aged business couple in the back row.
    Juno embraced the woman. ‘Oh, Celine! I’m so glad you …’ And broke off to blow her nose. Celine returned the hug. Celine had been crying, too. They had both cared for Poppy? Juno and Celine were close friends?
    Juno held out her hand to the man. ‘Thank you for coming. You understand, don’t you? I can hardly take it in.’ To which he responded with a firm pressure of both his hands around hers, and a pass at her cheek by way of a social, token kiss.
    A harsh voice broke in. Not patiently. ‘Juno! I don’t like to hurry you, but …’ The man in the wheelchair didn’t like to be kept waiting, did he?
    â€˜Sorry, sorry!’ Trying to smile through her tears, Juno took hold of the wheelchair again, saying to the woman in black, ‘See you back at the house? You will come, won’t you?’
    â€˜If you want me?’ Celine didn’t seem sure of her welcome. The man with her said something, making his excuses.
    The girl of mixed race stepped up. ‘Please come, Celine. My mother needs you.’
    Celine – whoever she might be – gave in, saying, ‘If you really want me? Charles has something else on.’ And to the man, ‘Can you drop me off? I’ll get a taxi back, afterwards.’
    They left in a huddle, arguing about who was going in which car.
    Now there was no one left but Ellie, the solicitor, and the senior Cordovers. The solicitor was conferring with Gerald and Marika. He hadn’t taken any notice of Ray, but he seemed to know the senior Cordovers well. He was their solicitor, and not Ray’s?
    Gerald looked around. A blind look, unfocused. He said, ‘Ready for the fray? Do you have your car with you? You know that we’re going back to Poppy’s … to Poppy’s.’ His voice had broken on his daughter’s name, but he kept going. Good for Gerald.
    There was a stir outside, and a large woman came in, breathing heavily. She must have weighed twenty stone at least. ‘Are we the first?’
    Another funeral service was about to begin. Ellie hoped it would be more meaningful than the one she’d just attended.
    The Cordovers walked slowly back down the aisle, looking strained and unhappy but resolute. The solicitor kept pace with them. He glanced at Ellie, and glanced away. She meant nothing to him.
    Marika spotted Ellie and held out her hand. ‘So glad you are here. Come in the car with us?’
    Hadn’t any cars been ordered for the mourners? The senior Cordovers apologized to the solicitor, and to Ellie. ‘It appears there are no cars. So embarrassing. An oversight, of course.’
    The solicitor said, ‘I have my own car. I’ll meet you at the house.’
    Apologizing still, the senior Cordovers wafted Ellie into the