A Deadly Lesson (Storage Ghost Murders Book 5) Read online

  Grace asked, “Do you know when she changed?”

  Abbie looked up. “Yes. It’s when she met Carlos. She met him on holiday in Spain one year. She said he was the love of her life. Mum and Dad got the shock of their lives when he came over here to live with her. I overheard Mum saying that she didn’t trust him. Dad said they had to let Julianne make her own mistakes.”

  “What did you think about Carlos?”

  Abbie shrugged. “He was always nice to me, asked me about school and my friends. Julianne never liked him talking to me. He even offered to give me extra driving lessons but I heard Julianne mutter, ‘Over my dead body’. I don’t know why she acted like that.”

  “Sounds like she was jealous,” Grace suggested.

  Abbie’s eyebrows rose. She waved a hand over herself and said, “Jealous of what?”

  “You’re a pretty girl,” Grace said. “You don’t seem to have much confidence in yourself.”

  Abbie looked towards the sink. “Julianne’s the pretty one in the family, not me. I’m supposed to be the brainy child but I can’t even pass my driving test.”

  Grace took a sip of her tea. Who had been speaking to Abbie in such a negative way? Grace noted that Abbie spoke about her life as if she was still alive. She wasn’t the first ghost to talk that way, it took a while for ghosts to come to terms with their deaths.

  Grace said, “Tell me about your friend, Brooke.”

  Abbie looked back at Grace and smiled. “She’s awesome! We were going to go on holiday together, we were planning on going round Europe. I’ve got a map in my bedroom with all the cities marked out that we’re going to visit. We’ve been planning it for years.”

  “When did you meet each other?”

  “At primary school. On my first day at school I was in tears because I didn’t want Mum to leave me. The teacher told me to be quiet and shoved me towards the sandpit. Brooke was there, she grabbed my hand and said she’d be my mum. She looked after me all day, told me where to go and what to do. She was there for me every day. She’s great, she always knows what’s best for me.”

  Grace said nothing.

  Abbie carried on, “We were friends all through school. I wanted to go to university but Brooke didn’t. She was going to work in her dad’s travel company so she didn’t need any more qualifications. It was Brooke’s idea for me to take a gap year before university so that we could go travelling together. She’d even paid a deposit for me as a surprise! I couldn’t say no.”

  I bet you couldn’t, Grace mused.

  “Brooke told me which cities to go to, she knew much more than me. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have her as a friend.”

  Grace said, “What about boys? Did you have a boyfriend?”

  Abbie giggled and covered her mouth up as if trying to keep the sound in. “Brooke is gorgeous, she had boys around her all the time but she wouldn’t go out with anyone unless they had a friend to go out with me too.”

  “How thoughtful,” Grace said dryly. Brooke sounded like a control freak but it was obvious that Abbie didn’t see that. Grace remembered something. “Tell me about Ethan, you said he was at the party.”

  Abbie sighed happily. “He’s my second-best friend. I met him at primary school too. He used to make me laugh all the time. Brooke didn’t like him, she said he was a show-off. He was a bit, but I liked that. He knew what he wanted out of life, he made plans all the time. He told me to do the same, he said you couldn’t have a dream come true unless you knew what that dream was. I made plans of everything! Brooke said I was being silly, but I made them anyway.”

  “Didn’t Brooke and Ethan get on?”

  “Not at all. All the girls at school fancied Ethan but Brooke said he was common and that he looked like he needed a good wash. Ethan joked about us getting married, I told him to stop being an idiot. He passed his driving test before me. He was the first to give me a driving lesson, in his dad’s car. In a quiet car park, of course, not on the main road. He told me I should take lessons and he said he’d help me with the theory side of the test.” Abbie grabbed hold of the bottom of her shirt and began to twist it in her hands.

  Grace saw the look on her face. She said to Abbie, “You love him, don’t you?”

  Abbie pressed her lips together and nodded.

  Grace said, “Did Brooke know how you felt?”

  Abbie released her shirt, a panic-stricken look on her face. “No way! She hates Ethan, she’d kill me if she knew I loved him!”

  Chapter 8

  Grace now had two suspects in mind – Julianne and Brooke. But she couldn’t mention her suspicions to Abbie, the girl didn’t look as if she could handle that information. Oh! Where was Pearl? She really needed to talk to her.

  Grace decided to go in a different direction with her questions. She said, “Abbie, tell me about your party. You mentioned receiving some information that made you sad, can you remember what it was yet?”

  Abbie’s forehead furrowed in concentration.

  Grace jumped as the kitchen door was flung open. Frankie stepped through carrying a big box. He gave Grace a scathing look and said, “I see, having a rest again, getting me to do all the work. Typical! Anyway, I’m still not talking to you.”

  “Good,” Grace said. She stood up and took her empty mug to the sink. Big Bob followed Frankie in to the kitchen, he was carrying two huge boxes. He smiled at Grace.

  Grace returned his smile and said, “Cup of tea?”

  “Aye, that would be great, thanks. I’ll start putting this stuff in the shop. Your Frankie’s bought loads of stock.”

  Frankie raised an eyebrow at Grace and said, “Yes, I have. I’ll have a cuppa too.”

  Grace folded her arms. “I thought you weren’t talking to me.”

  A look of confusion passed over Frankie’s face. Grace could almost hear the cogs in his brain whirring. He stuttered, “I’ll talk to you when I need to. Doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you.”

  Big Bob shoved the boxes into Frankie’s back and said, “Stop being such an idiot, and don’t talk to your sister like that. Come on, we’ve got work to do.”

  Frankie looked like he wanted to say more to Grace but he withered under the look that Big Bob was giving him. Grace smiled as she turned away. Big Bob was right, Frankie was an idiot sometimes, but he was her idiot and she wouldn’t change him. Well – maybe she’d change his attitude, and his hygiene habits, or lack of hygiene habits. She reached for the kettle and filled it up.

  Abbie flew to her side and said, “I wish I had a brother, it must be great.”

  “It’s awesome,” Grace said in a dry tone, then she laughed. “Actually, it is awesome. He might not show it but Frankie cares about me. I can’t talk to you at the moment, we can talk later. I’ll take that driving book home with me and you’ll come along with it too.”

  Abbie said, “Doesn’t your brother know you can see ghosts?”

  Grace shook her head. “No, he wouldn’t understand.”

  A few minutes later Grace took two mugs of tea through to the shop. Frankie and Big Bob had walked back and forth through the kitchen unloading the contents of Big Bob’s van. Grace whistled when she saw the shop. “Wow! You have been busy. Where are we going to put everything?”

  “On the shelves, of course,” Frankie said as he took a mug. “No biscuits? Have you eaten them all – again?”

  Grace reached into her cardigan pocket and took out a pocket of unopened biscuits. She purposely handed the packet to Big Bob who ripped the wrapper off. Frankie muttered something under his breath and turned away.

  Big Bob tipped his head towards the book-filled shelves. “You’ve done a good job there, Grace.”

  Frankie tutted. “No one buys books these days. What’s the point when you can watch stuff on TV? You’ll never sell these.”

  Big Bob walked over to the books and reached out a hand. His other hand was still clutched around the biscuits. “Westerns! I love a good western. How much for this one?”
/>   “Nothing, you can have that for free,” Grace said. “You’ve helped us out today and we appreciate it. Take as many as you like.”

  Big Bob put the biscuits on an empty shelf and opened the book he’d just picked up. His smile grew as he read.

  Frankie grabbed the biscuits and turned to Grace. “Some businessman you are, giving stuff away for free.”

  “I’m not a businessman, I’m a businesswoman. I’m going to put a sign up about those books, buy one – get two free. They’ll soon go. I know what our customers like.”

  “Humph! We’ll see,” Frankie muttered. His glance landed on something. “That might sell, that book about driving, Steve’s missus has read that, she said it helped her with her driving. Steve says she’s still useless though. Why isn’t it with the others?”

  Grace snatched the book up. “That’s not for sale!”

  “Whoa! No need to shout! What do you want that for?”

  Grace looked down at the book and mumbled, “It might help me. I haven’t told you before that I’m having trouble driving cars. I’m all right with the van, but I can’t drive a car. It brings back memories of ... you know. And I’ve booked myself a driving lesson tomorrow, a sort of refresher thing. I thought it might help.”

  Grace was suddenly grabbed in a tight hug. Frankie held her against his chest and said, “Why didn’t you tell me? I would have understood. I’ll pay for that driving lesson and any others that you might need.”

  Grace muttered a thanks into his chest. Frankie patted her back and said, “You can do it, you’re one of the strongest people I know.”

  Grace muttered another thanks. She heard a crunch. Was he eating a biscuit? She moved out of his hug. He was munching a biscuit!

  Frankie waved the half-eaten biscuit at her and said, “I did have my suspicions about your driving. You can do this, I know you can. And I’ll tell you something else.”

  Grace looked from the biscuit to Frankie. He was totally ruining the effect of being a caring brother.

  Frankie put the biscuit on a shelf and reached into his jacket pocket. He pulled out a little blue book and handed it to Grace.

  She took it. “What’s this?”

  “A savings account. I set it up in your name. I’ve put a bit by every month. It’s for you, to buy yourself a car.”

  Grace couldn’t stop her tears.

  Neither could Big Bob. He sniffed and said, “Frankie Abrahams, what a thoughtful thing to do, you’ve just become my hero.”

  Chapter 9

  Despite Big Bob’s protests, Grace insisted on helping with the unloading of the rest of the items from his lorry. The driving book was secure in her handbag.

  A few hours later the task was complete. Grace stood with her hands on her hips and surveyed the shop. “Well, we’ve certainly got a packed shop. It looks great. You’ve done a good job, Frankie.”

  “I know. Right! Time for the pub. Big Bob?”

  Big Bob nodded. “I’ll take the lorry home and meet you there. Grace, are you coming? You’re more than welcome.”

  Grace shot a glance at Abbie, the young ghost was swooping around the shop with a look of glee on her face. Grace wanted to find out a lot more about her. “No, but thanks for the offer anyway. Frankie, can I take the van home? I don’t think the buses are running at this time of the day.”

  “Course you can. If you get chance, give it a tidy out. There’s rubbish everywhere.” Frankie sniffed his armpits and then shook his head. “I’d better change, never know who I’m going to meet at the pub! It could be some lady’s lucky night.”

  Frankie winked at Grace and then shot towards the stairs at the back of the shop.

  Big Bob said, “Is he still living in the stockroom upstairs?”

  Grace nodded. “I’ve given up on trying to convince him to move out. We’re planning to do some alterations, make it more habitable. Thanks again for all your help today, we really appreciate it.”

  “Anytime. Sure you won’t come to the pub? I don’t like the idea of you being alone all the time.”

  Grace jumped slightly as Abbie flew too close to her. She wasn’t going to be alone. She said, “I’ll be fine.”

  Twenty minutes later, Grace walked through the door of her house. Abbie wasted no time in exploring it. The first port of call for Grace was the kitchen. Kettle on and ready-made lasagne in the microwave. She smiled to herself. The good thing about having ghosts around was that you didn’t have to offer them food and drink.

  She took the hot meal and drink into her living room and sat on the sofa. Abbie descended to her side.

  Grace said, “Do you want to tell me more about the night you died?”

  Abbie shook her head. She pointed to Grace’s collection of DVDs. “How come you’ve got the next two seasons of Downton Abbey? They haven’t been on the telly yet. Are they imports from somewhere?”

  Grace’s fork paused in mid-air. Ah. Of course. She’d forgotten to ask Abbie an important question. She put her fork down and said, “When did you have your eighteenth party?”

  “August twentieth. Can we watch Downton Abbey? I haven’t seen the next series. I watched it with Mum, Dad used to grumble all the way through it but I think he liked it too.”

  Grace hadn’t finished with her questions. “Abbie, what year were you eighteen?”

  Abbie tutted and rolled her eyes. “This year of course!”

  Grace carried on, “What year do you think it is?”

  Abbie gave her a pitying look as if Grace was losing her mind. “It’s 2011, everyone knows that. Is there something wrong with you?”

  Grace paused for a moment. Should she tell her the truth now? How would she react? Grace sighed. Abbie had to know sooner or later. Grace said, “It’s November 2014. You’ve been dead for nearly three and a half years.”

  Abbie crossed her arms and pushed herself further into the sofa. “You’re lying. I haven’t been dead that long. I’d know.”

  Grace picked up the remote control and aimed it at the TV. The date automatically showed up as the TV came on. Abbie stiffened and looked away. Grace caught sight of her tears. She felt awful but Abbie had needed to be told. Grace put her meal to one side and stood up. She picked up a couple of DVDs and showed them to Abbie. Keeping her voice bright, she said, “Let’s watch these. You won’t believe what’s happened!”

  Abbie brusquely wiped a tear away and turned back to Grace. “Can we watch all of them?”

  Grace nodded and placed the first DVD in the player. It was going to be a long night.

  The following morning, Grace rubbed her neck as she stood in the shop with Frankie. It had not been a good idea to fall asleep on the sofa last night.

  Frankie was getting ready to open the shop. He rubbed his hands together and said, “I bet we make a ton of money with my items today. I don’t think anyone will buy those dusty books of yours, they already look as if they’ve done thirty rounds with charity shops.”

  “We’ll see,” Grace said. She wiped her palms on her jeans. “I’m just popping to the toilet.”

  “Again? What’s wrong with you? Got some sort of water infection? You need to get yourself to the doctor. I’ve heard that women of your age start experiencing all sorts of problems as they get older.”

  “You’re older than me. I’m nervous, that’s all.”

  “Nervous about what?” Frankie said. Then realisation dawned. “Your driving lesson! I’d forgotten.” He waved a hand at her. “You’ll be fine. Shall I move those china cups higher up? You know what our older customers are like, clumsy lot.”

  Grace ignored him and paid another visit to the toilet. She gave herself a quick talking to in the mirror. It was no use, she was nervous and no amount of positive self-talk was going to help her. She decided that when the driving instructor turned up she’d apologise and send him away.

  Frankie yelled through to her, “Grace! He’s here! That driving instructor bloke. Hurry up! The idiot’s parked right in front of the shop.”
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  Grace wiped her hands again. Where was all the sweat coming from? She grabbed her handbag. The driving book was inside. Abbie said she wanted to come with Grace, and Grace had been comforted by the thought of having her there. What was Abbie going to say when Grace cancelled the lesson?

  Frankie was holding the front door open.

  Grace began, “Frankie, I don’t think I ...”

  Frankie beamed at her and said, “I’m so proud of you. And I know Mum and Dad would be too. You can do it! I know you can.”

  Grace swallowed. She could hardly back out now. She stepped into the street, Abbie at her side.

  The driving instructor was waving at her from the passenger side of the car. What? Was he expecting her to get in the driver’s seat now? Straight away?

  Abbie clapped her hands together. “It’s Ted! He’s lovely, you’re lucky to get him and not his wife. She’s a right cow!”

  Frankie called out, “Hurry up, Grace! That car’s in the way, it’s starting to cause a jam.”

  Grace’s shaking legs managed to move her forward. Her hand trembled as she pulled open the driver’s door. She gave Ted a wobbly smile. He said something but the buzzing in her ears drowned him out. Grace tried to start the car up, but it was hard to do that with a shaking hand.

  Abbie sat in the back seat. She said, “Come on, Grace, you can do it.”

  Grace felt her heart speeding up, it sounded like it was thudding in her ears. She turned to the smiling face of Ted and said, “I’m sorry ... I can’t ...”

  Ted’s smile didn’t falter. In a cheerful voice he said, “Not to worry. Let’s swap places. I’ll drive first. We’ll go somewhere quiet and you can tell me what’s worrying you. Come on, no need for tears.”