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Lucian recognised she was throwing bait down for an argument, so he decided not to give her one.

“Never stated you did, my darling. Now excuse me. I have work to do!” Lucian said with a formal bow and walked away. He longed to look over his shoulder as he guessed Maggie would be standing there flabbergasted and barely restrained the urge. If his little dove wanted to keep secrets, so be it. He’d get his satisfaction another way.

Maggie

After popping into the bakery where I ordered lunch for everyone and amending our order, I sat outside in the car park to make some calls. The owner had been horrified by the article and so apologetic. She promised to call the paper and inform them I was using local places. But I told her it wasn’t worth it. Who knew what the nasty reporter might say about the beautiful bakery?

I hit Tilly’s button, knowing this would be an uncomfortable conversation. We texted daily, but I’d never outright asked her about ghosts. Tilly answered the phone with an unwelcoming screech.

“My God, Tilly!” I exclaimed. “What on earth is happening?”

“Nothing, Maggie, love, nothing,” Tilly gasped, out of breath.

“Tilly, do you have a ghost?” I demanded, and Tilly fell quiet.

“Sorry, love?” she asked after a few moments of silence.

“Yes or no, Tilly?”

“I’d kill you if you weren’t already dead!” Tilly yelled.

“That’s a yes. Tilly, ask him if his name is Elias, Isaac, or Kit,” Maggie replied urgently.

“Maggie, will you tell me what’s going on?” Tilly said, sounding huffy.

“Just ask him,” Maggie urged.

“Hey, wombat head. Are you Isaac, Elias, or Kit?” Tilly called.

“How do you know those names?” an angry voice thundered.

“Which one is his name?” Maggie urged.

“What’s your damn name!?” Tilly demanded.

“None of your business, you busybody!”

“Hang in, Tilly, tonight, how about we meet at one of the hotels, and I’ll explain, okay?”

“Fine, but if I murder a ghost in the meantime, don’t blame me!” Tilly growled, and ghostly laughter echoed down the phone. Oh boy, whoever Tilly had sounded like a handful. Maggie dialled Cole, who answered surprisingly happy, that was until he called her Angel.

“Who the hell is Angel?” a woman’s voice cried, and Maggie heard Cole duck.

“My friend, go away. You’re annoying,” Cole replied. Maggie hoped to God that it was CeeCee and not a living woman. Otherwise, Cole deserved whatever he received.

“Strange question Cole, is your inn haunted?” Maggie asked.

“Say what, honey?” Cole responded smugly. Maggie felt an itch in her shoulders.

“Honey!” the female voice yelled.

“Ask her if she’s Cecilia,” Maggie sighed.

“How do you know she’s called Cecilia?” Cole demanded, shocked.

“Meet tonight, Cole. There’s something we all need to discuss.”

“Okay, honey!” Cole replied, and Maggie knew Cole was using the endearments to upset CeeCee.