Read Online No Stranger to Death: A Scottish mystery where cosy crime meets tartan noir: Borders Mysteries Book 1 by Janet O'Kane - Free Book Online Page A

they had earlier come down. The showroom contained a series of small kitchens, all in different styles, fitted with tiling and sinks and accessorised with fake loaves of bread and plastic fruit.
    ‘Most people don’t see the workshop,’ Neil said. ‘We usually bring them straight here. The displays took ages to put together, but they help clients decide what they want.’
    ‘They’re all so lovely, I don’t know how to choose between them.’ Zoe ran her hand along a marble worktop, enjoying how smooth and cool it felt.
    ‘That’s why I’m here,’ Neil said. ‘If you’re swithering, I know the questions to ask to help you decide.’
    ‘It’s strange hearing someone with a Cornish accent use a Scottish expression.’
    ‘Swither’s a great word, everybody should use it.’
    They reached a pair of sofas on either side of a low table where Peter had left the tray. Neil invited Zoe to sit down then took the sofa opposite her. This time Mac stayed with them, leaning against his owner’s leg, his eyes fixed on a plate of shortbread.
    ‘Most English people think Scots is just an accent,’ Neil continued. ‘An eccentric way of pronouncing the same words. Stay here any length of time, you’ll learn lots of new words and expressions and wonder how you ever managed without them.’
    The next hour passed quickly, as Neil helped Zoe decide what features she wanted in her kitchen and made some rough sketches of possible layouts. She was pleasantly surprised by his ability to be serious for once and impressed by his professionalism.
    ‘You don’t have to commit yourself today. Think about it, and when I’ve measured up and drawn a proper plan, you can come back and have another look.’ He tucked his pencil behind an ear and grinned. ‘That’s business taken care of, so now let’s move on to pleasure. How about a glass of wine? I’ve got a bottle of Bordeaux I think you’ll enjoy.’
    ‘I can’t. I need to get home.’
    ‘What’s the rush?’ Neil asked, feeding Mac a piece of shortbread.
    Zoe shook her head in irritation. He was always challenging her. ‘There’s no rush. I just want you to take us back to the cottage, like you said you would.’
     

 
    Chapter 8
    For once, Mac did not hear the front door open. He was too fixated on the spoonfuls of porridge veined with melting brown sugar moving between Zoe’s breakfast bowl and her mouth.
    Kate burst into the kitchen. ‘Surprise!’ The collar and cuffs of a cream blouse decorated with splashy pink flowers poked out from beneath her black sweater. ‘I took the bairns into school this morning because they missed the bus, so I thought I’d drop by and see how you are.’
    ‘You’re lucky to find me home,’ Zoe said. ‘I wouldn’t be here if my work schedule hadn’t been changed at the last minute.’ She told Kate about her latest clash with Walter.
    ‘He seems to really have it in for you. What have you done to upset him?’
    ‘I wish I knew.’
    Zoe’s half-eaten breakfast sat on the table. ‘Ugh, is that sugar in your porridge?’ Kate said. ‘Don’t let Mum catch you eating it like that. She’ll have you repatriated to England.’
    ‘I have tried eating it with salt, honestly.’ Grimacing at the memory, Zoe put her bowl down to Mac.
    ‘I forgive you, though only because you ate the haggis I served up, despite obviously hating it.’
    ‘You didn’t help by reading out its ingredients. Have you got time for a coffee?’
    ‘Only if I’m not keeping you back from something important.’
    ‘All I have planned for this morning is tracking down Gerry Hall and giving him another bollocking.’
    ‘Things still not moving very fast at the coach house?’
    ‘At a standstill would be more accurate. They haven’t even –’
    Mac started barking. ‘Someone’s at the door,’ Zoe said.
    ‘I hope it’s not Erskine Mather again,’ Kate said. ‘He’ll think I’ve moved in.’
    Zoe hoped that too, for a different reason. However,