“That’s better,” she said. “Now, Zoe. Why do you think you had something to do with your sister’s death?”
“She wouldn’t come home. I begged and begged her to. You have no idea what it’s like living on my own with Dad,” sobbed Zoe.
Keya could imagine. Zoe’s slovenly father probably expected her to keep home for him as if she was his wife, not a young woman with studies and plans for her own life.
“It was bad enough when Mum left. I was so angry with her, but I think I understand now. I wouldn’t want to be married to Dad. But Daisy could manage him. She’s always been his favourite. She wrote up lists of chores and made sure we did them, even Dad. And she took on the bulk of the work herself. But then she and Dad had a huge row about Theo, and he kicked her out. I thought she’d soon be back, but she likes living with Theo. She has a lovely garden. And then she opened the bakery, and …” Zoe sobbed loudly. “And forgot about me.”
Aurora pulled up a stool and sat down beside Zoe, placing a protective arm around her. She murmured in a sincere tone, “I’m sure she didn’t. I know she put aside bread and cakes and had Ash deliver them to you and your dad. And she always waved when she drove or walked past and saw you in the shop.”
Zoe looked into Aurora’s eyes and said, “But she didn’t come home. Even when I begged her to. Which is why I asked the midsummer fairies to make her. But she must have refused them, too. And they placed a spell on her. And she won’t wake up.”
Aurora looked up at Keya, and there were tears in her eyes.
To Keya’s surprise, it was Ryan who spoke next.
“It wasn’t the fairies, Zoe. If they make mistakes, or play tricks on people, they always make them right. But Daisy didn’t wake up.”
“I know, Aurora and Viv told me. But how can you be sure it wasn’t the fairies?”
Ryan answered again. “Because they want Midsummer’s Day to be a time of celebration. They wouldn’t have left Daisy asleep. I’m afraid something else happened to your sister and we’re trying to find out what it was.”
“Then it wasn’t me?” Zoe looked like a young girl as she leaned into Aurora and rested her head on her front.
“No, Zoe,” Keya reassured her. “It wasn’t you. But when did you last see your sister?”
Zoe sniffed, and Aurora loosened her grip. “What we all need is a cup of tea. And Viv, you should check the shop. Who knows what’s been taken while we’ve been in here? Will you be all right, pet?” Aurora asked Zoe.
Zoe nodded, so Viv left the room, followed through the jangling beads by Aurora.
Then Zoe explained, “On Sunday, I went to her and Theo’s house for lunch. She made nachos and fajitas. They’re my favourite. Dad won’t eat anything foreign. He’s strictly meat and potatoes.”
“And how did your sister seem?”
“She was happy, and very excited about the summer solstice event up at the stones. Theo protested and said he couldn’t go because he needed to prepare the mill for the incoming harvest. But Daisy pleaded with him, and of course, he agreed to go with her.”
“Did you want to go too?”
“I did, but Dad wouldn’t let me, and I’m supposed to be at school today.”
“Do you have an exam?” Keya asked in a concerned tone.
“No, my A levels are next year.”
“And you didn’t see Daisy yesterday or Monday?” Keya pressed.
“No, I was at school both days and yesterday I helped Aurora and Viv in the shop after school while they got ready for the solstice event up at the stones. I did see Daisy leave the bakery on foot and she waved to me, but she didn’t stop.”
“What time was that?”
“Just after five o’clock, I think.”
“And did she appear to be in a hurry?”
“Yes, but then she also had to get ready to go up to the standing stones.”
“And she was on her own? You didn’t see her stop and speak to anyone?” Keya asked.
“No, she just walked down the street and past the pub. And that was the last I saw of her.”
The tears and the sobs started again.
Aurora backed into the small room carrying a tray of hourglass-shaped mugs in bold floral patterns and colours. Keya caught a much stronger aroma of lavender.
“Lavender tea,” Aurora announced. “Good for relaxation and relieving stress and anxiety.”
“It smells very aromatic, but I’m afraid we have to go,” Keya said. “But I will need to come back and take statements from you and Viv.” But not now, Keya thought. She really didn’t fancy lavender tea.
Outside Aurora’s shop, Keya once again breathed in lungfuls of fresh air. It really was a lovely summer day. Too nice to be working on such a tragic case.
Her stomach rumbled. It was way past breakfast time and all she’d had was an early morning coffee on her drive to the standing stones.
“I need something to eat,” she told Ryan, who looked relieved. They walked the few metres to the bakery, but the front door was closed.
“Let’s try the shop on the main road,” Keya suggested, and they turned round.
They walked past the solid stone building of the Malt Shovel pub, and then Keya heard the calming trickle of water. As they approached the stone bridge, she saw a shallow stream. Compared with the River Coln, which ran alongside her cafe, it didn’t look large enough to have once powered the waterwheel for Lower Rollright’s mill.
The Rollright Village Store was well stocked with an assortment of everyday items, as well as postcards and Standing Stones themed merchandise. It was much larger than it appeared from the outside, and the rear, windowless section was given over to books and a wall dedicated to the history of the standing stones.
