The Norman Case Read online

  “They must have spent a fortune,” Joan whispered.

  “We may have to leave a few things behind and come back for them next week,” Bridget giggled as she joined the sisters on the steps to Doveby House. “But I wanted to ask you about the blankets you have in the sitting room. They’re for sale, aren’t they?”

  “Yes,” Janet said. “Did you want to buy one?”

  “Oh, I think I want to buy three or four,” Bridget told her. “That saves me having to choose a favourite.”

  The trio walked back into the house and Bridget quickly selected five blankets that she liked. Janet added them up and the woman handed her the cash without blinking.

  “Susan, the woman who makes them, will be thrilled,” Janet said.

  Bridget smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.” She walked over to the door and looked out at her husband who was still struggling with everything.

  “Surely you don’t shop like this on every holiday,” Janet blurted out as they watched.

  After an awkward moment, Bridget laughed. “I’ve always loved to shop, but I’ve always been incredibly sensible, as well. Roy was telling the truth when he said that we usually bring an empty suitcase when we travel, but in the past we’ve always limited ourselves to filling that. Once it’s full, we’ve always stopped.”

  “That seems quite smart,” Joan said.

  “Yes, it is, but this trip was a little different,” Bridget said. She glanced around and then leaned towards Janet. “I’ve promised Roy I wouldn’t tell anyone, but I’m simply bursting. Promise me you won’t repeat what I’m going to say.”

  “Of course we won’t,” Janet said before Joan could speak.

  “We won big on the lottery,” Bridget whispered. “Really, really big.”

  “My goodness, congratulations!” Janet exclaimed.

  Bridget flushed. “We talked about taking all sorts of exotic holidays or cruises around the world, but Roy wants to be a little bit careful until we work out exactly how much income we’re going to get once everything is settled. But he promised me that I could buy anything and everything I wanted on our trip here. We’ll probably never be as foolishly extravagant again, but it was wonderful to just buy everything I liked for the past week. I’ve no idea where we’re going to put it all when we get home, though.”

  “Will you be buying a larger home?” Janet asked.

  “I expect so,” Bridget replied. “I don’t suppose you’d like to sell Doveby House? It’s exactly what I want.”

  Janet and Joan exchanged glances. “Sorry, Doveby House is not for sale,” the both said at the exact same time.

  We’ve had a note from Floyd and Vera, thanking us again for our kindness while they were here. Vera’s doing much better with a different medication, which was good news. As far as I know, the silver letter opener has never been found. I asked Robert about it the other day and he simply said that he’s still investigating, whatever that means.

  Bridget and Roy also sent a thank-you note and included their new address. They’ve purchased their own little manor house somewhere near Rugby. I’ve told Joan that I think we should start buying lottery tickets once in a while, but she doesn’t agree.

  I’ve taken to calling the entire episode “The Norman Case,” as I still think there was something odd about Trevor and Amelia Norman. Aggie agrees with me, but she may be the only one who does.

  Joan and I are both incredibly excited about your visit. I’ll ring you in the next fortnight to finalise your plans.

  All my best wishes,

  Janet

  P.S. Aggie is very excited to hear that you are coming. She remembers you fondly.

  Glossary of Terms

  biscuits - cookies

  booking - reservation

  boot - trunk (of a car)

  car park - parking lot

  chemist - pharmacist

  chips - french fries

  cuppa - cup of tea (informal)

  fizzy drink - carbonated beverage (pop or soda)

  fortnight - two weeks

  hire car - rental car

  holiday - vacation

  jumper - sweater

  lie in - sleep late

  lift - elevator

  midday - noon

  pavement - sidewalk

  pudding - dessert

  queue - line

  shopping trolley - shopping cart

  telly - television

  till - checkout (in a grocery store, for example)

  torch - flashlight

  Other Notes

  In the UK, dates are written day, month, year rather than month, day, year as in the US. (May 5, 2015 would be written 5 May 2015, for example.)

  In the UK, when describing property with more than one level, the lowest level (assuming there is no basement; very few UK houses have basements) is the “ground floor,” and the next floor up is the “first floor” and so on. In the US, the lowest floor is usually the “first floor” and up from there.

  When telling time, half six is the English equivalent of six-thirty.

  A “full English breakfast” generally consists of bacon, sausage, eggs, grilled or fried tomatoes, fried potatoes, fried mushrooms and baked beans served with toast.

  A semi-detached house is one that is joined to another house by a common center wall. In the US they are generally called duplexes. In the UK the two properties would be sold individually as totally separate entities. A “terraced” house is one in a row of properties, where each unit is sold individually, (usually called a row house in the US).

  An “en-suite” is a bathroom attached to a bedroom.

  Acknowledgments

  Many thanks to my editor, Denise and my beta reading team. I truly appreciate you all a great deal.

  Special thanks to my readers who keep me writing.

  The Osborne Case

  A Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery Novella

  Release date: December 14, 2018

  Janet Markham has been trying to track down Gretchen Falkirk for months. She’s eager to learn more about Alberta Montgomery, one of the previous residents of the bed and breakfast she now owns with her sister, Joan. When her friends from the Isle of Man, Bessie Cubbon and Doona Moore, come for a short stay, it seems the perfect time to try visiting the elusive woman.

  Unfortunately for Janet, instead of finding Gretchen, she finds herself and her friends caught up in the hunt for a missing person. She and Joan want to show Bessie and Doona the sights around Derbyshire, but Janet wants to find Gretchen at least as much.

  What does Gretchen’s downstairs neighbour really know? Can Janet help Robert Parsons, the local police constable, work out what happened to the missing woman? Will she and Joan get to take Bessie and Doona to some of their favourite historical sites or is this case going to turn into a murder investigation?

  Also by Diana Xarissa

  Aunt Bessie Assumes

  Aunt Bessie Believes

  Aunt Bessie Considers

  Aunt Bessie Decides

  Aunt Bessie Enjoys

  Aunt Bessie Finds

  Aunt Bessie Goes

  Aunt Bessie’s Holiday

  Aunt Bessie Invites

  Aunt Bessie Joins

  Aunt Bessie Knows

  Aunt Bessie Likes

  Aunt Bessie Meets

  Aunt Bessie Needs

  Aunt Bessie Observes

  Aunt Bessie Provides

  Aunt Bessie Questions

  Aunt Bessie Remembers

  Aunt Bessie Questions

  Aunt Bessie Solves

  The Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy Mysteries

  Arrivals and Arrests

  Boats and Bad Guys

  Cars and Cold Cases

  Dogs and Danger

  Encounters and Enemies

  Friends and Frauds

  Guests and Guilt

  Hop-tu-Naa and Homicide

  Invitations and Investigations

  The Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery Novellas


  The Appleton Case

  The Bennett Case

  The Chalmers Case

  The Donaldson Case

  The Ellsworth Case

  The Fenton Case

  The Green Case

  The Hampton Case

  The Irwin Case

  The Jackson Case

  The Kingston Case

  The Lawley Case

  The Moody Case

  The Norman Case

  The Osborne Case

  The Isle of Man Romance Series

  Island Escape

  Island Inheritance

  Island Heritage

  Island Christmas

  About the Author

  Diana grew up in Northwestern Pennsylvania and moved to Washington, DC after college. There she met a wonderful Englishman who was visiting the city. After a whirlwind romance, they got married and Diana moved to the Chesterfield area of Derbyshire to begin a new life with her husband. A short time later, they relocated to the Isle of Man.

  After over ten years on the island, it was time for a change. With their two children in tow, Diana and her husband moved to suburbs of Buffalo, New York. Diana now spends her days writing about the island she loves.

  She also writes mystery/thrillers set in the not-too-distant future as Diana X. Dunn and middle grade and Young Adult books as D.X. Dunn.

  Diana is always happy to hear from readers. You can write to her at:

  Diana Xarissa Dunn

  PO Box 72

  Clarence, NY 14031.

  Find Diana at: DianaXarissa.com

  E-mail: [email protected]