Page 52 of Dead Serious Case 4 Professor Prometheus Plume

“I’m a Detective Inspector with Scotland Yard,” Danny says.

“But that’s perfect,” he says, then sighs forlornly. “I bet you’d be brilliant at a murder mystery.” He looks at me with his big blue eyes all sad. “I had hoped more people would come, or at least the guests who were here would sign up.”

“Well, how many have you got?” I frown.

“Well, Martha and Essie, and Mr and Mrs Nakatomi, and uh… Mr Pennington.”

“That’s it?” I blink. “Five people for a hotel this size?”

“Well, there’s actually only seven guests at the moment. Both of you make it nine.”

I let out a sigh and glance at Danny, who’s watching me in amusement. He gives a little lift of his chin and points meaningfully at Ellis with his gaze.

“Fine,” I concede ungraciously. “We’ll sign up for the first annual Ashton-Drake murder mystery weekend.”

“Oh my god, really?”

“Yeah,” I say sourly.

“That’s amazing! Oh my gosh, you’re going to have the best time, I guarantee it! This will be a weekend you’ll never forget!”

“Uh-huh.”

“I’m going to go get your sticky toffee pudding, and I’ll get Aggie to put extra custard on it and maybe some sprinkles.”

“Please don’t.”

“I’ll be right back.” He practically skips off in search of our pudding.

“You’ve made his day,” Danny teases. “Doesn’t it make you feel better?”

“Not really.”

He chuckles. “You could’ve said no.”

“Uh, did you see that face?” I say. “Saying no to him would’ve been like kicking a puppy. A really sad puppy who’s lost all his sparkle.”

“Tris.” He reaches across the table and takes my hand.

“What?” I still can’t get the grumpy out of my tone.

“Look at me,” he asks, so I do. “You are the sweetest little grump.” I huff a quiet laugh. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Tris,” he says seriously. “I wanted to ask you if–”

A shrill voice pierces the air and we turn to look over at the table of actors. The older woman with white hair is now standing up and glaring at Receding Hairline Guy murderously.

“How dare you! You miserable, talentless–” She gives a little growl and picks up her wine glass, throwing the contents in his face.

He abruptly shoves his chair back and jumps to his feet, his livid face dripping. Unfortunately, the moment his chair skids back it knocks into Ellis, who is passing by with our tray of dessert. The unexpected collision sends him flying, and I can only watch in open-mouthed shock as two heavily laden bowls arc through the air in slow motion.

They hit our table in a veritable explosion, splattering both me and Danny with sticky toffee pudding. Ellis stares at us in horror and as I turn to Danny, I’m just in time to see the cork of the champagne bottle pop, showering us with a fountain of champagne. Danny blinks as a glob of custard decorated with sprinkles slides down his nose.

Just when I think this train wreck cannot get any worse, I hear the loud, dulcet tones of my dead best friend singing Cliff Richards’Congratulationsvery loudly as she pops up next to me, accompanied by an explosion of colourful confetti, even though I’m the only one who can see it… and her.

I close my eyes and sigh.