‘You’ve been busy the last few days,’ Audrey said. ‘Are you moving in?’

‘No. A friend owns this place and I’m just staying for a few days.’

She sniffed. ‘I don’t blame you, why anyone would want to live there is beyond me.’

‘Oh, it’s not too bad. Nothing a bit of a clean and freshen up won’t fix,’ I said, although that was a bit of an understatement. A total facelift would help things enormously.

She pointed to the bin I’d just delivered to the side of the road; it was so full the lid wouldn’t shut. ‘If you’ve got any more rubbish, you’re welcome to put it in mine. It’s just me now Walter has gone to meet our maker, so I rarely fill it myself.’

‘Thanks. That’s such a kind offer and it would be very helpful.’

‘Pity you’re only here short term,’ she said. ‘I don’t like to speak ill of the dead, but I have to say it would be much nicer to have a normal person living next door.’

I frowned. ‘Normal?’

She leaned close enough that I could see a filling in one of her teeth. ‘I’m not one to gossip, but the smells that came out of that kitchen! I wouldn’t have been surprised if that man was cooking up cats and dogs in there. A few disappeared around here over the years, you know. Maybe he was even selling them to Chinese restaurants.’

I honestly didn’t know how to respond, but she didn’t appear to register my shock and disgust.

‘I questioned him about it once, but could never understand a word he said. And at least now I don’t have to be so worried about where I park my car.’

‘What?’ I wasn’t following—what did her car have to do with his kitchen fumes?

‘You know what terrible drivers Asians are. I didn’t want to park too close in case he ran into me. Anyway, would you like to come over for a cup of tea? I’ve just made a fresh batch of scones too.’

While I liked a good scone as much as the next person, less than two minutes in her company had already told me that I didn’t want to spend a moment longer with her.

‘I’m really sorry but I need to run a few errands.’

Disappointment filled her face. ‘Maybe another day.’

‘Maybe,’ I said, before making a hasty escape. I had no time for people like that.

Sensing Audrey had not much else to do but watch if I followed through on my words, I grabbed my phone and bag from inside. It was a nice afternoon, so I walked the very short distance to the main street.

Although I’d already had my daily visit to Brewed Awakening, I couldn’t resist the aroma of pastry wafting from the cafe.

Jedda looked up from where she was wiping down a table as I entered. ‘Well, hello again.’

‘Hi,’ I replied with a smile. ‘I decided to treat myself to a late lunch, rather than make yet another ham and salad sandwich. What have you got left?’