Pushing Up Daisies Read Online Free PDF

Damian.
    â€œShe was married to your father’s cousin, Nigel Farraday, at one time.”
    â€œI think I met Nigel once when I was a child,” said Damian. “Can’t remember this Peta. I’ll check up for you. But allotments are war zones. Got some in the village. Someone left the tap running last year, so the committee decided everyone had to carry water from a standpipe instead of plugging in their hoses. All because just one person was careless. Caused no end of fights.”
    The doorbell rang and Charles went to answer it. Agatha heard Bill’s voice, told Damian she would talk to him later, and rang off.
    Bill came into the kitchen followed by the pretty detective, Alice Peterson. He questioned Agatha closely about her visit to Harby Hall, and then said, “What’s this I hear about Mrs. Bloxby?”
    â€œWhat on earth is there to hear?” demanded Agatha defensively.
    â€œThe gossip at the allotments is that Mrs. Bloxby was smitten by Gerald Devere and that Gerald Devere had become romantically involved with Peta Currie.”
    â€œRubbish!”
    â€œThat Mrs. Bloxby was seen spending a lot of time in his company, that she had taken to wearing smart new clothes, dying her hair and wearing make-up.”
    â€œOh, that’s my fault,” lied Agatha. “I had been encouraging her for ages to do something about her appearance, and she at last took my advice. Mrs. Bloxby spends a lot of time with newcomers to the village to help them get settled in. Come on, Bill! Mrs. Bloxby is a saint.”
    â€œNonetheless, when I have finished here, I will be talking to her. Where’s Charles?”
    Agatha looked around. “He was here a moment ago. Do you think there is some connection between Peta’s murder and that of Lord Bellington?”
    â€œEarly days,” said Bill.
    Charles had slipped out to rush up to the vicarage. Fortunately, the vicar was out. Mrs. Bloxby listened in dismay as Charles warned her that Bill would be calling on her soon and the reason for his visit.
    â€œWhat am I to say?” asked the distressed vicar’s wife.
    â€œYou will tell him what Agatha told him moments ago, that she had been encouraging you to smarten yourself up and you finally took her advice. Gerald called on you a lot because he didn’t know anyone in the village and you were helping him to get established. Okay?”
    â€œBut that would be a lie.”
    â€œDo you want to upset your husband? What if he returns when Bill is here? I’m afraid the village is buzzing with gossip about you and Gerald.”
    â€œI have been very silly,” said Mrs. Bloxby in a low voice. “Mr. Devere paid me many compliments. It was so nice to be admired. I thought my husband never really noticed me. But he did, finally. Last night! He took me out for dinner and said I was doing too much and told me to hire a cleaner.”
    â€œDo you know how long Gerald had been romancing Peta?”
    She shook her head. “I didn’t know a thing about it until I caught them kissing. Did Ms. Raisin tell you about that?”
    â€œNot yet. You know, I think men like Devere go around romancing women to boost their own ego. I hope someone kills him!”
    The doorbell rang. “That’ll be Bill,” said Charles. “I’ll go out through the churchyard.”

 
    Chapter Three
    When Charles joined Agatha back in her kitchen, she said, “Damian called back with Jenny Coulter’s address. She’s in Mircester. Great! Let’s see if she’s at home.”
    â€œIt’s been a long day, Agatha,” said Charles. “Can’t you leave it until morning?”
    â€œShe’s probably got a job. These days, so-called ‘kept women’ usually work as well.”
    â€œSpeaking from experience?”
    â€œI wish. You know, Charles, those allotments do have a certain charm.”
    â€œLike dead bodies?”
    â€œNo, I