The Mysteries of Brambly Hollow

odd, but surely she wasn’t? Maybe she had put something else into the empty margarine tub?”
    “Nope,” came Roger, “definitely margarine, slipping down by the spoonful like it was custard.” The room was filled with hoots of laughter as the two couples gave in to exuberant derision.
    “We’ll tell you more about her later,” Cal broke in as soon as he could be heard. “But for now. Who wants a drink?” Rubbing his hands together, Cal was ready to get down to the serious business of entertaining, and that meant imbibing some alcohol.
    They didn’t eat straight away. After their guests had finished their first drinks, they were given the grand tour of the lodge. If there had been any lingering doubts in Meli’s mind, about moving her family here, they were all dissipated by their friends avid admiration of their home with the breathtaking scenery and the overwhelming sensation of tranquillity that you only found in the countryside. She knew she was beaming like a Cheshire cat, but she couldn’t help it.
    Returning to the living room, their drinks were replenished. This time all alcoholic for the adults.
    “What’s with the mutt?” asked Myra, pulling her skirt protectively around her knees when Quassi appeared, having been released from the twins bedroom. Myra was not an animal lover.
    “Ah, Quassi,” Meli said, pausing as she flicked her eyes at him. “He was my birthday present from our neighbour.”
    “Quassi,” chorused their friends.
    “What a bizarre name,” grinned Adam.
    “Believe me, it was better than some of the other suggestions,” Meli commented, leaning down to pat the dog’s head. Quassi gazed up at her with that peculiar gaze he sometimes had; loving but blank, as though there wasn’t much going on inside his head.
    “Speaking of the infamous Belse Wizzy, tell us more,” drawled Myra. Although not a lover of the four legged beast, she had a fascination for those of the two legged variety.
    “Elsa Vitty,” Meli and Cal chorused together, with stupid grins.
    “This place used to be a barn, until Else had it converted a few years ago. According to the village grapevine Elsa nearly sold it a couple of times.” Meli caught the flash of surprise in her husband’s eyes. She had forgotten to mention that to him. “She’s a real character, but harmless enough.”
    “She didn’t look too pleased when we all bowled past her,” Adam shared, his charcoal grey eyes crinkled with amusement. “She walked alongside the car, glaring in at us through the window. Poor Suzie nearly croaked under the intensity of the look. She’ll probably have nightmares for weeks.” His broad lips were still grinning, but Meli saw something in his eyes, something that hinted that even he had been unnerved by the look.
    “She’s not used to strangers,” Meli said, in an unwitting attempt to reassure everyone. “She hates anyone parking outside on the lane.
    “Yeah, we saw the welcoming notice by the entrance. ‘This is private property. KEEP OUT. No parking here’. Very tastefully done in the blood red paint. I wouldn’t be surprised to go out and find our windscreens shattered.” This was Adam. As if realising what he had just said, he took a sip of his lager and glanced towards the window. Shuffling about in his seat he checked to see if his car was visible from where he was sitting. When it wasn’t, he resisted the urge to go and check on it.
    “Don’t be silly, she’s such a frail, harmless thing,” Cal said, shifting uncomfortably in his own seat as he recalled that they hadn’t told Elsa they had visitors and checked whether they could park outside. Maybe they should have tried to squeeze all four cars onto the drive?
    “Enough of this Vitty woman, who else wants to see the grand workshop?” Oblivious to the tension around her, Paula flicked her long silver blond hair over her shoulders. Having heard so much about Meli’s plans, she, if no one else, was keen to see how things were developing. “How’s your first order?”
    “Hmm, not going too well,” Meli mumbled into her wine, avoiding catching Cal’s eye. “There’s been too many distractions, but I intend to get going on Monday. But you’re welcome to come and take a look.”
    Everyone rose, and taking their drinks they followed Cal, who was swinging a spare bottle of wine from his fingers as he led the way. Surreptitiously, all eyes glanced across to where the black Primera and silver Vectra were parked. The