going to crack the case so easily. Whoever heard of a detective solving the case by speaking to one person? Doesn’t really seem like that’s going to happen, but if on the off-chance, Beryl happens to be the Miss Marple of the village and is able to tell us absolutely everything, then we leave.”
“We just leave, without giving Wade a chance to explain?”
“To explain what girl? If he’s an asshole, he doesn’t get anything. He doesn’t deserve you to give him a chance to explain.”
“Well, I...”
“Girl, a little bit of loving hasn’t turned you into a first class fool has it?”
“No.” I laughed, even though I didn’t want to. “And just wait until you have sex. You won’t be referring to it as a little bit of loving?”
“Oh yeah, what will I be referring to it as?”
“A whole hunka hunka piece of loving.” I giggled, suddenly feeling lighter again.
“You know that doesn’t even make sense right? What’s a whole hunka hunka?”
“It means a whole lot.”
“I don’t think it does.” Lucy shook her head. “Doesn’t hunka hunka mean like hot or really attractive. Like a hot guy. Didn’t Elvis Presley say it in his song, Burning Love?”
“I don’t know.” I rolled my eyes. “Are you the hunka hunka definition police?”
“I just might be.” Lucy giggled as she started talking in a deep Southern voice. “Let me just put on my blue suede shoes and I’ll give it some thought.”
“Ha ha ha.” I turned into the main road and was pleased to realize that my nerves had subsided. “But you’re right, I’m not going to make any decisions until I have all the facts.”
“I don’t actually think I said that, but whatever, sounds like a good plan to me.”
“Good!” I took a deep breath. “Okay, we’re nearly there. Let’s see what Beryl has to say.”
“Welcome to Herne Hill Village cafe,” Beryl greeted us as we walked in. “A table for two or will others be joining you?” She looked over at Lucy and studied her. “You’re new in town, too?”
“Hi, I’m Lucy, Savannah’s best friend. I just came up to ensure that all is well in the village and that Savannah is safe.” Lucy held out her hand, but Beryl ignored it.
“Well, I’m glad to hear she has a good friend.” Beryl nodded. “I don’t like to see young girls do foolish things. They can get themselves in a whole heap of trouble, you know?” She then looked at me again.
“Actually, that’s why we’re here. I was hoping to talk to you today, Beryl...” I licked my lips nervously and lowered my voice. “About Wade and the Hart men.”
“Oh.” She blinked once and then shrugged. “I don’t really know what I can tell you dear. I’m just a simple waitress in a cafe.”
“Oh.” Disappointment filled me immediately. “I thought...” My words drifted away as she walked back to the counter and picked up a coffee cup without another word to us. “Well that was a fail.” I looked at Lucy, whose eyes were now narrowed. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking we need to go and sit at the counter and order some coffee and maybe some doughnuts. I feel like something sweet right now.”
“But you heard her, she has nothing to say.”
“Savannah, I love you, but you would make the absolute worst detective in the history of detectives. It’s obvious that she has something else to say. We’re not just going to walk away.”
“We’re not?”
“Nope.” She walked in front of me. “Hey Beryl, can we sit at the counter? We just want to order some coffee and maybe some pancakes or doughnuts.”
Lucy walked to the counter and took a seat without even waiting for Beryl’s answer. I followed behind her like a puppy dog and sat next to her. I looked over at Beryl and was surprised to see that she had the widest smile on her face that I’d ever seen in my life.
“I’ll be with you in a moment.” Beryl said with a small nod as she walked over to another table. I waited for her to be out of earshot before I whispered to Lucy.
“Do you think this is a good idea?”
“Yes, of course.” She had a faraway look on her face. “You know what I was thinking?” Lucy said, her eyes wide as she leaned in towards me.
“What?”
“What if the house is haunted and what if Wade is actually a ghost?”
“What?” My voice was louder this time. “What are you talking about?”
“All the weird things you’ve been experiencing