A Party To Die For (Julia Blake Cozy Mystery Book 3) by Gillian Larkin

Julia Blake – A
Party To Die For
     
    Chapter 1
     
    “I
can’t believe all this is for a children’s party. I’m glad you asked me to do
the catering, I wouldn’t have missed this for the world!” Anna said with a laugh.
    “Well,
you are my favourite sister. Who else would I ask?” I said.
    Anna
gave me a pitying look. “For the millionth time, I’m your only sister. I don’t
know why you have to say that, it’s not even funny.”
    I
thought it was, and I intended to use it again whenever I got the chance.
    Fiona
Doyle walked over to us. “How’s everything going, ladies? Did you get my most
recent email, Julia? The one I sent first thing this morning?”
    “The
one at 6 am? About the little boy who’s allergic to chocolate? Yes, we’ve got a
special chocolate free cupcake just for him,” I reassured her.
    “And
what about the other children with allergies?” Fiona asked.
    “All
taken care of,” Anna replied and she pointed to plates that were placed
separately at the end of the catering table. Each plate contained a certain
child’s name.
    Fiona
gave us a little smile. “Thank you for being so understanding. I wouldn’t want
to get sued because some child had a fit or something. Why do children’s
parties have to be such a nightmare!”
    Fiona
wandered off to check on something else.
    Anna
shook her head. “How can it be a nightmare for her? She hasn’t done anything.”
    I
corrected my sister, “She’s been sending emails out for the last four months
about this party. It has to be perfect.”
    “I
don’t know how you can do cleaning work for her. I bet she follows you around
the house, making sure you’ve scrubbed everything perfectly.”
    “She’s
okay, just very organised and business like. A bit like you really,” I said.
    Anna
tutted. “There’s nothing wrong with being organised, you should try it
sometime. Stop chatting to me and go to the van for the sandwiches.”
    “Yes
sir!” I mock saluted Anna. A tiny smile crossed her face.
    I
walked through the dining room and into the enormous kitchen. I had given this
room an extra scrub yesterday and it still looked gleaming.
    Was
that a spot of dirt? I moved closer to the work surface. It wasn’t a spot of
dirt, it was even worse – it was a spider.
    “Come
on you, you don’t belong here,” I said. I cupped the little creature in my
hands. I’d have to give the surface a quick wipe down now.
    I
walked over to the back door, it was slightly open so I nudged it open more. I
carefully put the spider on the ground and told him politely to clear off.
    I
heard something coming from the nearby Wendy house. It sounded like sobbing.
    I
went over and peered through the window. I saw who was making the noise.
    I
opened the door and crouched inside. I came face to face with a little girl. A
little girl whose birthday it was today.
    “Megan-Rose,
whatever’s the matter? You can’t cry today, it’s your birthday. Shouldn’t you
be inside getting ready for your party?”
    Megan-Rose
wiped her runny nose on her party dress sleeve. “I don’t want a party! I never
did. It’s Mummy who wants a party. I don’t like my mummy and I know she doesn’t
like me!”
    “That’s
not true. Your mummy loves you.”
    “Then
why does she want to send me away?” Megan-Rose began to cry again.
    Her
sobs were so heart breaking that I felt like joining in.
     

Chapter 2
     
    I
took Megan-Rose’s hand and led her back into the house. Fiona spotted her
immediately. She could see that her daughter had been crying. If it was me, I
would have given Megan-Rose a big cuddle and asked her what was wrong.
    Fiona
didn’t do that.
    She
frowned disapprovingly and said, “Is that...snot on your sleeve, young lady?”
    Megan-Rose
looked at the floor and nodded.
    Fiona
gave a big dramatic sigh. “Go upstairs and change at once. Our guests will be
arriving soon.”
    “Would
you like me to take her?” I offered.
    “No,
she’s a big girl, she can manage to