Midsummer's Night Murder

5

"Goodness, Hazel! You can be rather frightening sometimes you know." Said Daisy, munching on a scone.

I sighed, and took a bite of cake.

"I didn't mean to be. I just... I was really looking forward to this holiday, and I don't want us all to argue."

"Understandable I suppose. This will be a nice holiday, even if we do have to put up with that horrible Francis person."

I gave her a withering look.

"And Alexander could never stay angry at you for long."

I blushed

"You should go and see him."

"Alright." I sighed.

"But- err.. Watson?"

I turned.

"Detective society forever, alright? You can fall in love with however many stupid boys you want but.. just.. remember me, will you?"

"Always." I smiled. "Detective Society Forever!"

We did the handshake, and then I went looking for Alexander.

I wandered through the decadent halls, pondering where Alexander could be.

"Hazel, dear!" I heard from behind me.

I jumped and turned around.

"Oh! Mrs Doherty! It's lovely to see you!"

"Oh, you too Hazel. Come down the kitchen, and we can have a chat."

I followed her happily, knowing there would almost definitely be cake involved. Sure enough, when I entered the kitchen, I saw a plate of freshly iced cupcakes.

"Help yourself." Said Mrs Doherty kindly.

I smiled gleefully and took a cake with lots of pink icing.

"I suppose you've met Francis and Nancy?" She asked.

I nodded, my mouth full of cake.

"What do you think about them? As in do you... like them?"

I nodded again slower, and finished my mouthful.

"Yes. I suppose I do. Why?"

"Oh it's nothing really. I love Francis very dearly, but that Nancy girl... I'm not so sure."

I tilted my head inquisitively.

"I'm sure it's fine, but she just seemed a bit... suspicious."

Instinctively, my ears pricked up at the word suspicious.

"In what way?" I asked.

"It's nothing really of course! She's all lovely and sweet and shy as you know, but I'm just... worried. Perhaps she's too sweet and shy. Its probably just me being paranoid of course, but even so, some of Francis' friends have been... questionable. I just hope Nancy isn't the same, but I just can't tell."

"So you'd like us to find out as much as we can about Nancy?"

"Oh! I don't want to worry you all and interrupt your holiday! But if you really and truly didn't mind?"

I smiled and shook my head.

"It's no problem."

"Oh Hazel! Thank you, thank you!"

She threw my arms around me and I almost toppled over.

"You've gotten so pretty." She told me, holding my face in her hands.

I blushed and shook my head.

"No. Daisy's the pretty one!"

"Daisy is very pretty - the perfect English girl. But you're pretty too, don't forget that. Just because you don't look like everyone else, doesn't mean you can't be beautiful. Now off you go! Have fun and-"

"Let me know if you need anything to eat!" I recited with a laugh.

I walked back through the house, making my way up to our rooms to inform the others: we had a case. But then I stopped in my tracks. What had I done?! What would the others say?! This was a 'no case' Summer Holiday, as I'd just reminded them, and I'd just gone and accepted one! I almost stamped my foot with annoyance.

Was it too late to go back to the kitchens and tell Mrs Doherty that 'I changed my mind and I wasn't going to do the case because I wanted to relax with my friends'?
I decided that wasn't an option, meaning my only choice was to go and tell the others.

I breathed out, and starting going upstairs. I spotted Alexander

"Boo" I said softly.

"Aah! Oh Hazel! It's you!"

I chuckled.

"Look. I'm sorry about the argument. I'm sorry I didn't side with you."

"It's fine! You don't have to side with me for everything - have your own opinions! I was only surprised because you usually do side with me."

"That's because you're usually always right" he replied without hesitating.

I flushed, for about the 40th time today.

"Alex?" I don't really know why I called him that. It was George's nickname for him.

"Yes? I like it when you call me Alex."

"I've done something silly."

"What?"

"I've... I've got us a case. All of us. We need to do some detecting for Mrs Doherty."

"Okay."

"But, what about the 'detecting-free holiday'?"

"Never mind. Its only a bit, right?

I looked up at him. I counted the freckles on his nose. There were 3 still. But he looked... different somehow. He was taller, and more tanned, and his body had grown to fit his arms. I should tell Daisy that. He looked... more grown up. More like a man than a boy.

"What's up?" He asked.

"You speak so... American." I giggled.

"I do?" He ran his fingers through his hair. "Does it bother you?"

"No. Not at all!"

"Good."

"And you look... more grown up than last Christmas."

He laughed quietly.

"So do you."

"No I don't."

"Yes you do."

"Don't."

"Do."

"Don't."

"Do. Your taller, and you face... it's just-"

I blushed (again). I leant my head on his chest my arms around his neck, and he folded his arms around my body, enveloping me in a tight embrace. I squeezed him back.

"Hazel?! Alexander?! What are you-?!" Gasped Daisy.

We let go of each other and turned around embarrassed.

"Daisy!! I have something to tell you!"

"Indeed you do."

"No- another thing."

"Explain both." She said, and pulled me into our room and closed the door.