'Dirty Deeds in Downdene'

This is the opening of Book 2 of the Cleo Marjoribanks series. 

There I was doing my vastly improved dog-paddle up and down the pool when the phone rang.  Yeah, I know that like all modern marvels it can answer itself but, I dunno, it sounded urgent.  I made it to the steps and clambered out, grabbed a towel and picked up the receiver as it was about to self respond.

“Hello.”

“Queen of the Nile, how’re you doing?”

“Hi, Primrose.  I’m fine.  You?”

“Fine!  Fine!”  This was said airily and I grew suspicious of my crime journalist friend.

“Really?  So to what do I owe the honour of this call?”  A peal of laughter came down the wire and I held the receiver away from my ear so that she didn’t split me ear-drum.  Prim is a sweet girl, born on Primrose Day and as her surname’s Day, her parents got a bit carried away.  (Primrose Day?  19^th April, the anniversary of the day Disraeli died and, as primroses were his favourite flowers Queen Victoria had the day so named in his memory).  When I first knew Prim her hair was braided and trimmed with hundreds of beads.  Noisy.  Now she’s got it short and curly.  Natural like.  She’s black, beautiful and works on one of the national dailies.

“Not much gets past you does it, Cleo?”

“At my size, ducks, no.  So, why are you calling?”

“Well, I hear lover boy’s got himself another murder to investigate.”

I frowned.  “Really?  How did you hear about this before me?”  Not fair.  David hadn't mentioned it.  That's DCI 'Steaming' Kettle and my lover.

“Contacts,” Prim responded succinctly.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, alright.  So what are you calling me about?”

“Thought you might have some idea about it, but as I’ve been the bearer of the news I guess you don’t know anything.”

“You guess right and I’m not going to get involved this time.”

.....................................

Secret..... Cleo doesn't learn to play golf but she knows some people who do!

E-book version:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008ORNGCU

Paperback:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008ORNGCU

Homicide in Hampshire

Opening of Chapter 1.....

I snatched up the phone in the pool room (using me skirt to hold it, of course.  No point in reading mystery novels and doing it all wrong), all the while staring at the thing in the pool.  It had to be Janet Spencer.  It was wearing her dress.  And there was red in the water.  I knew she was dead and, while talking to the police, I wondered how I was so sure she was dead.  I know I should have jumped into the pool to get her out and begin resuscitation but…  The thought of what I might see made me gaga, so I scarpered, at least as best me high-heels would let me!  (As I can’t swim, it probably wouldn’t have been a good idea anyway.)

I shot off straight down the hall, grabbed handbag and keys from the table near the door then scrabbled with the door locks.  Why are they always a problem when you’re in a hurry?  At last I was out in the night air and could take deep breaths. 

And don’t ask me why I was in the pool room when I’d just come home.  If you walk indoors and see lights on that shouldn’t be on what would you do?  No, not what I should have done – panicked.  I went to investigate.  Course it wasn’t until later that I realised I’d been stupid.

It felt like I was standing outside for ages before I heard the cops arrive.  Blue light flashing and siren moaning, just like a sick cow.

The car pulled up in front where I was leaning against the wall by the open front door.

E-BOOK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005LO72BA

PAPERBACK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/152017098X

Referendum for Brexit

I suspect that most of us 'ordinary' people believe that when a referendum is held the result is binding. That the Government should implement what their electorate want.

Unfortunately that is not true. Holding a referendum is merely to make people think they are helping to make important Governmental decisions.

The Government doesn't have to abide by the 'people's will'. Which is why chaos now reigns.

After the referendum to decide whether or not we should join the EU I said it would all end in tears. Wish I'd laid a bet on that!!!

London's Parks

Just posted the introductory blog to a series about some of the great parks of London. In this one featuring St. James's Park there is a little information about the history of the parks.

There will be more to follow - and all illustrated.

www.auntiestravels.blogspot.com

My Travel Articles

Just discovered that someone else is now using a similar 'name' for travel articles. Please note that my travel articles appear on:

www.auntiestravels.blogspot.com

Hope you enjoy them! 

Jurong Bird Park, Singapore.

Just posted a blog/photos of the Jurong Bird Park on www.auntiestravels.blogspot.com

For some strange reason Blogger doesn't want to advertise the fact!

Birds I Encountered in Florida

Anyone who has visited Florida and been to the beaches knows the seagulls (noisy!) and has watched

the pelicans diving for food. One winter when I was sitting in my car by a deserted beach one pelican decided to do a bit of showing off. He strutted back and forth in front of me then took off, dived into the sea and flew back with a fish - cross-wise in his beak. Why do that when you've a beak large enough to use as a shopping bag? I soon found out. He put the fish on the sand and proceeded to fillet it. Show off. I beat a quick retreat.

At one time I lived in a static caravan/mobile home in a small park. Every morning I took a smart walk around the park - with an escort. A falcon. When I left home in the morning he was on a nearby electrical cable. I turned right, he flew past me to perch further along. Then I turned left. Yup, he overtook me. All the way around the park. Even when I sunbathed in my back garden he would perch on the electrical cable.

I'm glad he wasn't a vulture. Or buzzard if you prefer the name. Ugly things but very graceful when flying. Did you know that when taking off from the ground they have to make a running start? The aeroplanes of the bird world? One day when driving along a country road I had to stop as a flock of vultures had found some road kill. Why stop? To wait for them get wound up for take-off!

Florida has a wide variety of birds of all types but two of my favourites are the mockingbird and the beautiful small, crested and musical red cardinal. (His mate is - would you believe - drab brown).

Yes, a mockingbird does copy every sound he hears - sirens, reversing vehicle beepers, telephones, car horns, babies crying. And, of course, it imitates the songs of other birds!

Never a dull moment in birdland.