Page 4 of Worse Than Murder

When Nature’s Diner finally opened in late 2020, it was an overnight success. Excellent food, comfortable surroundings, stunning views from picture windows, and the rumour of the celebrated owners, had kept the restaurant fully booked for months.

Claire and Alison make their way up the wooden steps and knock on the glass door of the restaurant. They peer inside as they wait. The place is in darkness. It’s only early, and the restaurant doesn’t open until lunchtime.

‘I hope this storm cools the temperatures a bit,’ Claire says. ‘This uniform isn’t made for a heatwave.’ She adjusts herself. ‘I had to wring my bra out last night.’

Alison pulls a face. ‘Really?’

‘Yes. I get very sweaty under my boobs. My greatest asset is my biggest flaw,’ she says, giving her cleavage a squeeze.

Alison stifles a laugh. ‘I love how ladylike you are,’ she says, mockingly.

‘How can you be ladylike in this bloody uniform? Mind you,’ she begins, a dirty smirk appearing on her face, ‘The other night, me and Geraint?—’

‘Oh, look, someone’s here, thank goodness,’ Alison interrupts, relieved at being saved from another graphic conversation about Claire and Geraint’s sex life.

A figure emerges from behind the bar and comes over to the door. Philip Meagan is a tall, slim man. He wears his thinning hair cut short, is clean-shaven, and walks with a straight back and the large strides of a confident man. He smiles when he sees the two women in uniform, and this lights up his face, giving him a friendly, approachable look.

He unlocks the door. ‘Good morning. Come on in,’ he says with that warm smile.

‘Mr Meagan. I’m Sergeant Daniels from High Chapel Police Station. This is PC Pemberton. We’re here about the attempted break-in.’

‘Yes. Well, it wasn’t a break-in as such. They didn’t actually gain entry, but they did crack a window in the utility area. Would you like to come through?’

‘Sure.’

Philip leads the way with Claire following and Alison bringing up the rear. They walk among the tables towards the kitchen. Alison looks out of the huge picture window at the expansive view of Lake Windermere. It is beautiful scenery.

‘We understand you have excellent security, Mr Meagan,’ Claire says.

‘Philip, please. Yes, the whole place is surrounded by CCTV and there’s one above the door to the utility where the glass was broken. I’ve looked and it would seem that the angle of the camera was moved, somehow, before the attempted break-in.’

‘They didn’t appear in view of the camera before it was moved?’

‘No. I’m guessing they used a pole or a large stick to move it, then sneaked in under the radar. I’ve ordered some cages from a security company to put around the cameras. These people always seem to think one step ahead, don’t they?’

‘I’m afraid so.’

They enter the utility area which is a large space, filled with industrial dishwashers and a walk-in fridge.

‘Did the alarm sound when the glass was broken?’ Claire asks as she kneels down to look closer at the broken window.

‘It’s a silent alarm. I received notification on my mobile and tablet. There’s a sensor light in every room on this floor. The room would have lit up. Maybe that’s what spooked him, and he ran off.’

‘Do you have anything valuable on the premises, Mr Meagan?’ Alison asks from further back in the room.

‘All restaurant equipment is expensive. I’m not sure what the second-hand market is like for an industrial food mixer, but I’m sure it could be sold for a few quid to fund a drug habit.’

‘Do you keep a lot of cash here?’

‘No. All of our transactions are by card.’

‘Alcohol?’

‘Yes. We have a small range of wines and spirits, but we are hoping to extend that this year.’

‘I think I read about that in the local paper. You’ve received planning permission to turn the basement into a wine cellar, haven’t you?’ Claire asks, standing to full height.

‘Yes. It’s just dead space down there and it would be perfect for a wine cellar. We could expand our range and do tasting events,’ he says. His face shows his excitement for the new project.