Charlotte had no idea why she was worrying about the past when her present was so nice. She doubled back to the stairs and went to the apartment. After a long glass of water, she changed into shorts and T-shirt and runners. A walk around town was exactly what she needed.
Half the town had the same idea. As she wandered along the main street, Charlotte recognised a few people who’d been into the bookshop. Some said hello, others hurried past with bags of shopping. Kingfisher Falls was almost three times the size of River’s End, but still very much a small town. She’d only explored the main street, so followed the footpath around the corner.
Even prettier than the main street, this was shorter but closed off both ends to create a plaza. Christmas lights were strung from one side to the other and changed from red to green to gold. A roving Santa rang a large bell, attracting adults and children alike. He carried a basket of red envelopes and let everyone help themselves.
Charlotte accepted one from him as he passed, thanking him. He ignored her, ho-ho-ho-ing as he walked away. Inside the envelope was a gift voucher to a department store. She recognised the address as being the next town. A large town closer to the city.
“Excuse me, Santa?” Charlotte ran after him.
He glanced up but kept walking, so she adjusted her pace to his.
“Hi Santa, or whoever is in there.”
Santa stopped to ring his bell a few times and Charlotte waited until more of the envelopes were in the hands of locals. He stalked off again.
“I’m guessing you are employed by the department store to hand these out.”
“So?”
“Bit unfair to the local traders here. Taking business away at the most important time of year.”
“Take it up with management.”
“Can you give me the name of someone?”
“Yeah. Rudolph. Care of North Pole. Now leave me alone.”
Santa rang his bell in Charlotte’s face.
She gave him her sweetest smile and wandered away. On Monday she’d talk to Rosie about this. It was a clever idea, one the town itself should be doing to support its own traders.
In the centre of the plaza was a fountain. Kids played in it, giggling and splashing water around. There were benches all around where parents sat. In the fountain, lights changed colour and reminded Charlotte of the much smaller one at Palmerston House, where she’d lived.
The end of the road turned into parklands. On either corner was a restaurant. One was Italian, with red and white tablecloths on its outside tables and the delicious smell of pizza making Charlotte’s stomach growl. On the other side, and just as busy, an Indian restaurant added spicy fragrances to the air.
“Oh, yum.” Charlotte murmured. She’d had every intention of cooking after doing so much shopping, but now, all she longed for was to sit outside and enjoy a meal made by someone else, and people watch. Italian or Indian?
Indian won. Charlotte scooped up the last of her korma with some naan bread. She sipped on a mango lassi, so cooling after the curry. By the time she’d finished, it was almost dark.
After paying and thanking her hosts, Charlotte went to the fountain. Not many people were around now, so she sat on one of the benches to watch the lights change beneath the bubbling water.
“May I join you?”
A petite, dark haired woman in her forties stood a few feet away, arms around herself. Charlotte was sure she knew who this was from seeing her at a distance.
“Of course, are you Esther?” Charlotte moved across to make room.
“Oh, yes, I am. And you are Rosie’s new assistant.” Esther perched on the edge of the seat.
“I’m Charlotte Dean. Or Charlie. I’m so terribly sorry about the break-in. Do you know what was stolen?”
“One Christmas tree and decorations. Nothing else.”
“No money or clothes? My goodness, what a lot of effort for a tree.”
“Replacing that window just took any profit I might have made this week. But that isn’t why I stopped here. I wanted to thank you for trying to help. Going out at that hour to stand by the open shop…” Esther’s voice faltered, and her eyes teared up.
“Anyone would do the same. I can’t stand crime and you didn’t deserve this.” Charlotte went into Dr Dean mode. “This was done to you, and none of it is your fault. I think whoever did this will be caught and then—”
“No, they won’t be.” Despite interrupting, Esther’s voice was quiet, her head down. “Sid didn’t even take photos or fingerprints. He told us to clean up and he’d file a report. Nothing ever changes.”
Charlotte opened her mouth and closed it. She’d pegged Sid as chauvinistic and lazy, but this went beyond a joke. She pulled her phone out. “I took photos. Can’t help with fingerprints, and if nothing was found at the scene that might have broken the window then they brought it with them and took it again.” She flicked through the gallery. “But you’ll need these for the insurance claim at the least.”
“I can’t believe you did this. When we got there, we didn’t even think about claims, just doing what Sid said. But without a witness, who’ll believe us?”
“I didn’t see what happened, but I’m happy to tell anyone what I saw afterwards. A dark ute with the tree in the open back flying past my place. They took the next right. And I heard the glass break. I’ve got time stamps on the photos. Where would you like me to send them?”
Esther swapped phone numbers and Charlotte sent the images to her.
“You said a dark ute? Do you know what make?”
“Cars aren’t my thing. Sorry. Might know if I see it again. Does it sound familiar?”
With a shake of her head, Esther stood. “I couldn’t say. Anyway, there’s so many of them around here.”
Can’t say, or won’t?
Charlotte got up. “Are you going back to the shop?”
“No. I’m waiting to
