Charlotte Dean Mysteries Collection

Chapter 6

It took almost the whole day for Charlotte to decorate the tree between customers, answering phone calls, and forcing Rosie to take a lunch break.

“But I always eat behind the counter.”

Rosie’s protest lasted for all of one minute, then she agreed it was a lovely day to sit in the park and enjoy her sandwiches. Watching Rosie wheel up the road warmed Charlotte’s heart. This wonderful woman had worked hard her entire life and deserved a chance to enjoy the sun.

Once the tree was finished, Charlotte stepped outside to see it as part of the whole display. She gasped. The tree was gorgeous. Overflowing with the ornaments, and lit from around its trunk, she couldn’t believe she’d never put a tree up for herself. And even though she could come and look at this one anytime she wanted, she filed away the thought of buying something a lot smaller from Darcy for upstairs.

Behind the tree was a wall running almost all the way behind the window. A picture of Santa with kangaroos instead of reindeer added an Australian touch. But in what she was beginning to recognise as true Rosie style, the flooring was covered in soft white fabric, and what looked like hundreds of crystal snowflakes hung at different heights from the ceiling. All in all, the window was a perfect mix of traditional and Aussie and it made Charlotte clap her hands.

Then, she quickly looked around to ensure nobody saw such an impulsive action. Impulsive and Charlotte Dean did not belong together. But the street was minding its own business, with pedestrians and cars.

Rosie joined Charlotte. She gazed at the tree, then up at Charlotte. “If this truly is the first tree you’ve decorated, then I’ve discovered a new talent. Well done, darling.”

Although she’d told Rosie she was happy to close the store, Charlotte was secretly relieved to finish first. She’d not shopped at all since her first day here, only running out to buy the absolute basics and lots of takeaways, but now she wanted to fill the fridge and pantry.

Kingfisher Falls had two supermarkets. The closest one was also the largest, so after writing a shopping list, which was for everything except tea, coffee, and milk, Charlotte grabbed some reusable bags and walked up the road.

The pavement was still busy. People walked their dogs, or strolled hand in hand window shopping. Seeing several people outside the bookshop, looking in thrilled her. She pushed a trolley around, listening to the Christmas music as she put a lot less in than she expected. Too many years living from day to day. Halfway around, she stopped and told herself off.

This is your home now. And it is Christmas, so start acting like it.

This is your home now. And it is Christmas, so start acting like it.She did a U-turn and started shopping in the fresh produce area. Lots of lovely vegetables, eggs, and crispy fresh bread. She wasn’t a big meat eater, so chose some fish from the deli, along with a selection of cheese and ready-made salads.

Charlotte lingered over a display of Christmas cakes, shortbreads, and other goodies, then went looking for the more practical aisles with cleaning products and some extra plates and cups. She didn’t need Christmas fare.

Walking home loaded up with her bags of shopping, Charlotte stopped at a few shop windows to check out their displays. The travel agency was impressive, turning the top deck of the cruise ship into an outdoor Christmas party. A ladies’ boutique featured mannequins with Christmas attire around an artificial tree. But then she found one of Darcy’s trees at a gift shop. Well, it looked like the one in the bookshop.

Earlier in the day, after the book club ladies had left, and Charlotte had finished the tree, she’d got coffee for Rosie and herself.

“You know I have no retail background, Rosie, so did I handle the ladies well enough? Or, how could I improve?”

Rosie shook her head. “They are the minority. All are a bit selfish and when they come in together, they make each other worse. You did great.”

“I got the feeling Mrs Morris disliked Darcy. She was quite rude about his farm.”

“There is a history. The Morris and Forest families were close, very close friends, until Octavia’s husband…well, he took too much of a liking to the Mrs Forest of the time. Two divorces later, they moved away leaving both families shattered.”

“Oh, how awful!”

“Well, you’ve met Octavia.” Rosie smiled. “I’ve known her since high school. Divorce didn’t make her that way, but she now has a grudge against the Christmas Tree farm.”

Charlotte climbed the stairs to her apartment, mulling over the earlier conversation. Rosie had explained how Darcy came home from the city after his father passed away, bringing his own young family to a property allowed to deteriorate since the divorce.

She unlocked the door and carried everything inside. How sad that the poor decisions of one generation in a family were now impacting on the next. As she closed the door and locked it, Charlotte rested her forehead on the timber.

This isn’t about you.

This isn’t about you.So why was her stomach tensed up? Time to stop worrying about the past. Being here was about making a new life. Not living with the sins of her parents.

In an attempt to lighten her mood, Charlotte played Christmas songs on her phone as she created a salad with a side of homemade chips. She made notes about which songs might be added to the bookshop’s playlist.

The evening was warm, so Charlotte sat out on the large balcony to eat. Rosie had mentioned in passing that the apartment was built by the family who originally owned the building so they could run what was then a bakery and be close to work.

Imagine the smells wafting up.

Imagine the smells wafting up.Directly across the road, an alley ran between two old buildings to the next street. A car park was on a corner. For such a small population, the town sprawled with shops and cafes over four or five blocks. Further up was the small park where Rosie had lunch. Charlotte really needed to go for a long walk and get to know the town better.

What made the town special though were the decorations. Not only in the shops, but the streets. Streetlamps and trees were covered in fairy lights. At the far end of the main road was a roundabout and, in its centre, a tall Christmas tree. Artificial, but quite impressive with layers of purple and silver baubles the size of basketballs and a giant star on the top. At night, it was brightly lit.

Dinner finished, Charlotte washed up, yawning enough to decide an early night was in order. Perhaps a chapter or two of her book first. Or three.