But for now, it was lovely relaxing with a drink beside the river with someone she found easy to talk to and with whom, unlike her family, she could also discuss work and the satisfaction and frustrations of her role.
She smiled at Sujin as he returned to the seat next to her and placed his hand on top of hers. This was a very pleasant way to spend a summer evening.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Keya slept deeply, but she still felt tired when she woke on Thursday morning. As she lay in bed and watched weak sunlight filter through her bright flamingo pattern curtains, she thought about her evening with Sujin.
How blissful it had been eating, drinking, and talking together beside the River Coln. As if nothing else mattered.
But it did. And her thoughts turned to Daisy and her death.
Although they’d only met once, Keya had liked the young woman and her positive and enterprising outlook. And she’d loved her bread. Such a shame she wouldn’t be able to stock it, unless Theo found someone else to run the bakery. But she doubted sorting that out would be a priority for him right now.
And then there was the manner of Daisy’s death, with no reasonable explanation for why the young woman had sat down, closed her eyes, and died. So why was she so certain someone else had caused it?
The results of the blood tests, and any other analysis the pathologist was performing, would take time to come through, and what if they were inconclusive? Would the coroner be forced to conclude an open verdict because there was insufficient evidence for anything else?
Perhaps Ryan or Sujin would discover a motive for Daisy’s death in her phone calls, emails, or other digital messages.
Keya had interviewed all the people she was aware of who were close to Daisy, and there wasn’t anything else she could ask without further information. At least it meant she could spend some time at her cafe.
After showering and dressing, Keya quickly ate a yogurt while she filled her Waterwheel Cafe thermal mug with coffee, and then she drove to the cafe.
It was just after half past eight when she arrived and parked in the main car park in front of the antique centre. The centre’s heavy oak front doors were open to allow fresh air to circulate inside.
Keya glanced up. Clouds skidded across the sky, and she wouldn’t be surprised if it rained later.
Gilly rushed over when she entered the large open-plan space which was the ground floor of the antique centre. The front row of stalls included several with attractive vintage furnishings, one which sold colourful glassware, and another which only displayed wooden items.
“What news of the dead girl?” Gilly asked, her voice carrying to a woman who was arranging cushions on a ladder stand. The woman dropped a cushion, so Keya suggested, “Come and have a cup of tea.”
She and Gilly strode alongside the white painted stone wall which separated the antique centre from the single-storey auction house next door. They passed a group of gilt-framed mirrors hanging from the wall and then some retro metal signs, including a black one advertising Jack Daniel’s Whiskey.
Inside the cafe, there was a smell of frying bacon coming from the kitchen. Millie was cleaning tables with a disinfectant spray and a blue and white cloth.
“Oh, that smells good,” Gilly said, glancing towards the kitchen hatch.
“Would you like a bacon sandwich?” Keya asked.
“I better not.” Gilly tapped her ample tummy, “but I wouldn’t say no to a cup of tea.”
Gilly leaned against the hot drinks counter as Keya boiled the kettle and prepared their cups of tea. She’d only drunk half her morning coffee, but she now fancied a cup of tea.
“So, have you found out what happened to the girl at the stones?” Gilly asked again.
“We’re no further forward than we were when we spoke yesterday,” Keya replied. “And I’m not certain we’ll ever know what really happened.”
Keya slid Gilly’s tea across the counter, and as she did so, she felt Gilly staring at her.
“What?” she asked.
“You look tired. Like you need a holiday.”
“That’s what Sujin said,” and when Gilly raised her eyebrows, Keya added, “Not with him. Perhaps with Dotty if she has any time off. Nothing fancy, just a short break in the UK.”
“That sounds an excellent idea, but I suggest you go before the school holidays. The prices at least double from the end of July through August.”
“Did someone mention holidays?” Monica asked as she approached the counter. “And I’d love a cup of coffee if you’re making one. I need something to get me going this morning.”
Monica was Ryan’s mum. She had the same cheerful demeanour as her son, and a positive outlook on life. She was short and neat, with her dark hair streaked with grey, cut into a bob. Her only extravagance was her shoes. Today she was wearing a pair of baby pink ballet style shoes which Keya was concerned she’d ruin by dropping tomato sauce or hot oil on them.
“Yes, we think Keya needs a break,” Gilly said.
“I agree. You’re always racing from the cafe to the police station and back again. Where are you thinking of going?” asked Monica eagerly.
“I don’t know. It was only a suggestion Sujin made yesterday. About going with Dotty,” Keya added hastily.
As she prepared Monica’s coffee, her mind wandered back to the previous evening. Sujin was knowledgeable on a wide range of subjects and, when he spoke about them, he made them sound interesting, rather than boring. And her pasta had been perfect. Rich and creamy, and she and Sujin had shared a salad which had added freshness.
And she’d found his hand on hers reassuring rather than possessive.
“Keya, are you listening?” Monica demanded.
“Sorry, what were you saying?”
“That I have lots of brochures for cruises and African safaris. I really can’t make up my mind which we should do. A cruise will be relaxing with every luxury provided and we can visit lots of different places. But this might be my last chance to visit Africa and I so want to see elephants and giraffes in the wild.”
