I turned my attention to the window and my breath caught in my throat. The sun was dipping into the sea, casting an amber glow across the water. I could see a dozen white boats as they bobbed on the waves. It looked like heaven.

  “It’s beautiful,” said Helen around a large mouthful of torte. “And this is delicious.”

  “I get them from a bakery in the village,” said Julianne. “They bake fresh there every day. It’s always a popular place. You have to get your orders in early if you want anything.”

  “We must go there,” said Helen, always the first to hunt out good places to find treats.

  “How long have you lived here?” I asked Julianne.

  “We moved here five years ago, after my father died unexpectedly. He was running the business until then. He’d taken over from my grandfather. I know the area well, having spent a lot of time here helping out over the summers when I was younger, before moving to London with Blake. But I always had a hankering for coming back. When the vineyard needed a new owner, it was the perfect opportunity to return and try our hand at running a business.”

  “I can see why you’d want to return with a view like this,” I said. “And you don’t miss London life?”

  “I still have to go back to London regularly,” said Julianne. “We supply some of the hotels with wine. But no, can’t say I miss it all that much. You can keep your crowded trains and high-powered jobs. Nothing beats this.”

  I finished my torte and put down my plate. “It must feel a little strange living here without your husband.”

  Julianne kept her gaze on the window. “It is. We’d been together a long time. His death was a big shock. I still expect to see him walking through the front door, laughing and saying it was all some big mistake. But, of course, that won’t happen.”

  “What role did your husband have in the business?” I asked.

  “A bit of everything really, although he focused on the financial side. He was amazing with people, though. He could make the most sullen of people smile. And he had a great way of making new contacts and building connections. Our income has more than tripled over the last five years. It’s all thanks to Blake and his ability to get people to like him.”

  “I’m sure you’re doing a great job on your own,” said Helen.

  “And you have us here now,” I said.

  Julianne gave me a small smile. “Yes. I’m not really alone. Blake’s family is still around, as you can see by Channing’s regular appearances. And his old school friend, James, is often about. He helps out with the business. Not so much with the day-to-day running, but he’s got a good eye for an investment.”

  “And then you have Marcus,” said Helen, sneaking me a wry smile.

  “Yes. He’s always around, isn’t he,” said Julianne. “I’m yet to decide if that’s a good thing. Might be time for a change of staff, since I’m now technically the boss. He is good at what he does, but he’s trying too hard. Blake spent years learning how to run a successful business. Marcus needs to slow down and learn how everything works before he steps into a more senior position. That still doesn’t stop him from asking me for a promotion at least once a month.”

  “Ambition isn’t a bad thing,” I said.

  “You’re right. I shouldn’t complain. He is efficient. Although I think he’d pick out my clothes for me if I let him.” Julianne shook her head. “Speaking of business and being efficient, perhaps you can take a quick look at the books now?”

  Stuffed full of excellent food, wine, and torte, all I wanted to do was kick back and enjoy the amazing view. But I needed to show I was keen and capable. “Let’s take a look.”

  Julianne stood. “I won’t be a minute. My study is at the end of the corridor.”

  The second she’d left, I sat forward and tapped Helen on the knee. “So, Blake is dead and there’s a question over what happened to him.”

  Helen licked chocolate sauce from her fingers. “It’s probably rude to ask for another slice of torte, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it is. Focus on the family, not the food.”

  “But the food is so tasty.”

  I shook my head at her. “What did you make of the talk of Blake dying?”

  Helen tilted her head to one side. “The police ruled it an accident, but rumor suggests otherwise.”

  “Could be a jealous employee.”

  “Or a jealous wife.”

  “Or mistress!”

  The door opened. Honey walked through with another tray in her hands, this time with cups and a cafetiere on top.

  I gave her my warmest smile. “You can put the coffee on the table. And thanks for bringing it in. It’s good of you.”

  Honey gave a shrug as she stepped back toward the door. “It’s what Julianne expects of me.”

  “Maybe not what you expect, though?”

  Another shrug. “I need to keep my job here. Now Blake’s not around, I have to turn my hand to anything that’s asked of me.”

  “What work did you do for Blake?”

  “I was his apprentice,” said Honey, shooting a nervous glance at the open door. “I want to start my own millinery business someday. He was helping me learn what it would take to do that.”

  “But you’ve gone from apprentice to kitchen server,” I said. “Not going to help you much in getting your hat making business off the ground. You can’t be happy about that.”

  “I get paid. And you need money to start a business.” Honey twisted her hands in front of her, her gaze on the ground.

  “Perhaps you could speak to Julianne, let her know this isn’t what you want to do.”

  “Everyone has to start somewhere,” said Honey. “I should be grateful she’s kept me on. You might have noticed, but we don’t have the best of relationships.”

  “Maybe she’s still sad about Blake’s death,” I said. “Grief makes people behave in strange ways. Had you known Blake for a long time?”

  “For a while.” Honey’s gaze shot around the room as if seeking an escape route.

  I opened my mouth to ask her another question, but heard footsteps hurrying back toward the room.

  Honey gave us a quick nod, grabbed our empty plates, and ducked out the door.

  “Here we are.” Julianne strode back into the room with her laptop under one arm and a file in her hand. “Let’s get down to business.”

  My attention was still on Honey’s speedy exit as Julianne gave me the file and opened her laptop. There was more to Honey’s relationship with Blake than just being his apprentice. And why did Julianne hate her so much?

  Somehow, Blake’s death was tied up in these complicated relationships. But until he decided to show up and help me figure out what was going on, I’d be left to puzzle it out with Helen and Flipper. And, right now, they were much more interested in the chocolate torte than working out what happened to Blake.

  Chapter 7

  I woke early the next morning, grateful not to have had any more horrible dreams about being on board a sinking boat. And I was keen to use my free morning to go back to The Orwell and see if I could find any sign of Blake’s ghost on board. Given the comments flying around the dinner table last night, there was unfinished business that Blake might need help with.

  Tapping quietly on Helen’s door, Flipper by my side, I jumped as she opened it straightaway, already dressed. “Great minds think alike. Fancy a trip back to the marina?”

  I nodded. “I think Blake might be waiting for us there. And I bet he’ll have a few questions about how he died.”

  “Well, we’ve already got a few suspects if he was murdered.” Helen shut her bedroom door and we hurried along the corridor and down the stairs, out into the bright sunshine and over to her car. “Who’s your favorite so far?”

  “I’m thinking Marcus.” I opened the back door and let Flipper inside. “He’s got an ambitious streak in him. Maybe he wants to model himself as the next Blake Carlisle, but the only way he figured he could do that was by getting him out of the way.”

  “Have you sensed Blake in the house?”

  “No. But from the way Flipper behaved yesterday, I think I missed something on The Orwell. He was anxious when below deck and then throwing up like that; that’s not normal.”

  We zoomed out the driveway and back along the narrow country lanes, which were thankfully quiet, given the early hour, as Helen sped around corners toward the marina.

  Parking in the marina car park, we hurried along the jetty to The Orwell and climbed on board the lower deck.

  “Where do you want to start?” asked Helen.

  “You stay up here so you don’t get sick,” I said. “Have a walk around and see if you sense anything strange, cold spots, that sort of thing. I’ll take Flipper below and see if he can pick up on anything.”

  “Good plan,” said Helen, as she took a deep breath of air. “I’ll stay right here. Won’t think about the way the boat is moving and how my stomach is flipping over, making me glad we didn’t have breakfast.”

  I grinned at her. “We’ll be as quick as we can.” I walked down the stairs and stopped in the living room. Everything was neat and tidy, with a luxurious sofa covered in white scatter cushions and the table set with cutlery and plates. It looked more like a show boat than something used regularly.

  “Do you sense anything strange?” I whispered to Flipper.

  He looked up at me before sniffing around the room. So far, he seemed content.

  I did a circuit, checking any areas for cold spots or places where I got lightheaded, always good signs there was a ghost around. But there was nothing. Maybe Blake’s death had been an accident and he hadn’t stayed behind. There would be no reason to if he’d simply fallen overboard after having one too many drinks.

  “Found anything down there?” called Helen.

  “Nothing so far.” I looked over at Flipper, who was nosing behind a cushion. “How about you?”

  He looked up at me, a cocktail sausage sticking out of his mouth. Trust Flipper to find the food rather than the ghost.

  “Don’t think there’s anything down here,” I muttered to myself. The Orwell felt normal, nothing odd or spooky about it.

  I made my way back up the stairs with Flipper to find Helen hanging over the edge of the yacht, a green tinge to her skin. “Still waiting to find your sea legs?”

  “Don’t know what’s wrong with me,” said Helen. “I’m not usually this bad. I blame last night’s dinner. All that rich food is upsetting my stomach.”

  I grinned as I looked around the deck. “Could be you’re the one sensing the ghost for a change.”

  “And he’s making me sick?” Helen groaned. “If that’s the case, you can stick your ghost detecting abilities. I want nothing to do with them.”

  “Happens to me sometimes,” I said. “Normally, I get lightheaded or cold, but there have been a few ghosts who made my stomach turn. They’re usually the meaner ones.”

  “We don’t want any mean ghosts.”

  “Ideally, we don’t want any ghosts at all,” I said.

  “If this is Blake, then tell him to stop,” said Helen. “I feel like an idiot, getting sick every time I step on board. It’s not at all ladylike.”

  “And green isn’t your color.”

  “Hilarious.”

  I ambled around the deck, trying to pick up any sense of a ghost.

  Flipper whined and sat down, his gaze focused on the horizon.

  I looked at him carefully and saw he was licking his lips. “Helen, I think Flipper is unwell too.”

  “He can join me here if he likes,” said Helen. “The breeze is helping. If I keep my eyes on the horizon and don’t move, this is perfect.”

  Flipper whined again, turning his sorrowful gaze to me before throwing up.

  I grimaced as I sidestepped the vomit and petted his head. “You poor thing. It’s okay. We’ll be off here soon.”

  I was looking around for something to clean up the mess when my mobile rang. I pulled it out and saw Zach’s number. For a second, I was tempted to ignore the call. We’d parted without making up after our silly fight about lost shoes and underwear. But, we needed to smooth things over. This was an adult relationship and adults said sorry and moved past stolen underwear.

  I answered the call.

  “Morning. Thought I’d check in and see how Cornwall is treating you.” Zach’s tone was as cautious as I felt.

  “It’s beautiful as always,” I said, kneeling and stroking Flipper to reassure him everything was okay. “I’m just exploring the family’s yacht.”

  “Sounds like fun,” said Zach, his tone warming.

  “I’m enjoying it, but Flipper keeps being sick on board.”

  “Is that him I can hear whining in the background?”

  “It is.” I ran my fingers through Flipper’s fur. “Never seen him like this before.”

  “You don’t think he’s ill?”

  “Flipper will live forever.” That wasn’t true, but the thought of Flipper getting ill and leaving me was one I was never prepared to consider.

  “You haven’t started work yet?”

  “Not until this afternoon,” I said. “Julianne will be away a lot, so I can work flexible hours.”

  “Even better,” said Zach. “When I come for a visit, you can show me around.”

  “I’d be happy to.” I twisted my fingers together. “Listen, I didn’t mean to accuse you of stealing my underwear. I just put it somewhere silly and forgot about it.”

  Zach let out a sigh. “Same goes for my stuff. And it’s weird, but the same thing happened this morning. I absolutely put my watch on the bedside cabinet, but when I came out of the bathroom, it had gone.”

  “It’s not Gunner having a joke with you?”

  “He wouldn’t do that,” said Zach. “Besides, he was on a late shift last night and is still in bed.”

  “Maybe we have a poltergeist?”

  “Don’t even joke about that,” said Zach. “One reason I built this house was so we wouldn’t have any lingering residents who should have moved on.”

  “I sense nothing strange in our house,” I said. “Well, there is a cold spot in the kitchen.”

  “You’ve said nothing about that before.” Zach sounded worried.

  “Because you’d worry if I did. And like you said, the house is brand-new. We don’t have any ghosts living with us.”

  Zach was silent for a second. “Unless the ghost is attached to you.”

  A shudder ran through me. “You think I’ve brought a ghost into the house?”

  “I know nothing about it,” said Zach. “Is that possible?”

  “Not the expert myself,” I said. “I just see them. Have no clue how they get here or where they go. I’m as much as an amateur as you.”

  “You’re amazing at what you do,” said Zach. “But I wondered, if the ghost isn’t connected to the house, could it be someone you have a connection with? Or maybe any of us? Perhaps it’s a ghost who has a link to me or Gunner. Could that happen?”

  “Hold on. We don’t even know there’s a ghost,” I said. “It could just be us forgetting where we put things.”

  “Maybe I could get the place exorcized while you’re away. Just to be on the safe side.”

  “It’s not a demon!” I said. At least, I hoped it wasn’t, or we would put the house on the market in double quick time. “But if it is a ghost, we can deal with it when I get back. You’ll just have to put up with your watch going missing for a bit longer.”

  “I can live with that. Not sure how comfortable I’d be inviting a priest in to help us with something I’m so confused about. You haven’t met any ghosts down in Cornwall?”

  “Not yet,” I said, casting my gaze around the yacht. “But it is odd. Flipper is getting ill all the time and Helen’s not doing so well when she sets foot on this yacht. It’s like they’re picking up on something.”

  “You’ve given Helen your ability to see ghosts?”

  “It’s not like that,” I said. “You can’t catch what I’ve got.” I stood and walked to the side of the yacht, taking in the glorious views as the sun slid higher into the light clouds in the brilliant blue sky.

  “So, what’s different about this ghost if you’re not picking it up but the others are?”

  “Not even sure there is a ghost here,” I said. “Not even sure anyone came to harm. Julianne’s husband, Blake, fell overboard. But they reckon it was an accident. No foul play involved.”

  I looked back at Flipper to see him now washing his paws. He seemed more settled, so maybe his illness had nothing to do with a ghost. I turned back and looked out at the open water. It was so beautiful here. It would be lovely not to have to worry about solving someone’s murder.

  “I’d better investigate this cold spot in the kitchen,” said Zach. “If it’s not a ghost, then it must be my shoddy building work that’s the problem.”

  “I’m sure it’s neither,” I said. “And make sure you keep an eye on where you put your watch next time.”

  “Same goes for you and your underwear.”

  We said our goodbyes and I let out a relieved sigh. Everything was fine between us. I pocketed my mobile and looked over at Helen. “You ready to go? Don’t think we’ll find anything helpful here.”

  “I was ready ten minutes ago. Not sure I’m getting the hang of life aboard this yacht. Or any yacht. I need firm ground beneath my feet. It must be a sign of getting old.”

  “So, the chance of you hooking up with one of the millionaires in the yacht club and going sailing around the world is off the table?”

  “I don’t think Gunner would like me to do that.”

  “Didn’t know you needed to ask his permission to date.” I walked over to Helen. Flipper brushed against my legs and I reached down to pet his head, but he wasn’t there.

  I turned and looked around, surprised to see he was still sitting in the same place, washing his paws. A shiver ran through me. “Standing in this spot, I do feel something odd.”

  “I’m glad it’s not just me,” said Helen.

  “It feels different from your normal ghost.” I looked around the deck. “And I could have sworn Flipper just walked past me and his fur brushed my leg.”

 

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