Murder at Midnight by C. S. Challinor Page A

remembering too late he had forgotten the champagne, and after placing the branch in the log holder, went to confront Drew. “What on earth did you say to Julie?” he said. “She’s prostrate on my kitchen table, watering down the meringues.”
    Drew raised his hands in surrender. “Nothing, I swear! I simply mentioned I was seeing someone in Inverness. She said I’d been leading her on, which, I assure you, is not the case. She’s been pursuing me ever since we first met. She thought because I was spending Hogmanay here it must mean something, but I’m here because Heather’s in Chicago visiting her sister who’s about to have a baby. Must be cold and windy there, much like here tonight.” He grimaced in a disarming manner. “Had it been Florida, I might have been persuaded to go.” The house agent took a slug of whisky from his tumbler.
    “Drew, you unfeeling devil! Well, I’ve got women wailing in my kitchen thanks to you. And everything was going so well.”
    “Sorry,” Drew said with a hangdog look. “Should I go and apologize?”
    “What good would that do?”
    “I don’t know. I could say I do have feelings for her, just so I don’t completely ruin her Hogmanay.”
    “For goodness sake, Drew, don’t be such a numpty. The damage is done.”
    “Well, I don’t know what to say. I never made any promises. We could have had a fun fling, no harm done, even made a few fireworks. She certainly looked ready for it.”
    Rex did not appreciate this sort of talk. And then he wondered: Had anyone brought fireworks? He’d overlooked that item. Not that it was the weather for them. In any case, fireworks could be dangerous and he didn’t want any accidents.
    “I think Julie was hoping for more than a fling,” he pointed out.
    Drew grew cross. “She was leading me on. And as soon as she saw me talking to Zoe, she stalked over and told me I was a lying cheat. I was only asking Zoe about her acting. I considered being an actor when I was her age. Got a headshot done and went to a few auditions. Eventually did some commercials. But the rejections became demoralizing after a while, and so did not making enough money. It’s a competitive business and you’ve got to know the right people. I just wanted to wish Zoe good luck.”
    At that moment, Helen joined them and put an arm around Rex. “Oh, what would a New Year’s Eve party be without some kitchen drama?” she said brightly. “By the way, I put the champagne over there by the glasses.”
    “Thanks, lass. Where’s Julie?” Rex asked. “It’s almost time.”
    “Fixing her face.” Helen glanced at Drew and managed a tight smile. She clearly blamed him.
    “A case of mixed signals,” Rex explained. “Drew is already spoken for.”
    “Perhaps something he should have communicated to Julie from the start?” Helen looked pointedly at Drew.
    “And I suppose you think I was taking advantage.”
    “On the face of it, I do,” Helen said, never one to mince words even though she always came off sounding reasonable.
    “I’m sorry. Really. I know she’s a close friend.” Drew wandered off, uncertain which direction to take, but avoiding Zoe.
    “I hope he’s more straightforward with his clients,” Helen remarked, piqued for her friend.
    “Perhaps you should not have encouraged her,” Rex said in Drew’s defense.
    Helen smiled at him warmly and raised an eyebrow. “I hope we’re not going to have a row over it?”
    “Definitely not. It’s their quarrel. But you best get her back in for the big moment.”
    Suddenly remembering his elderly guest in the wheelchair, Rex asked Vanessa if they should tell her husband it was time to ring in the New Year
    “No, don’t let’s wake him. He’s sound asleep. This is far beyond his bedtime, poor dear.”
    Rex thought the cheering at midnight would be bound to wake him anyway, but said nothing. He circulated with the flutes of champagne on a tray and everyone took one, including Julie who smiled