Midsummer's Night Murder

6

Then Daisy did a most unexpected thing. She burst out laughing. She lay sprawled on her bed, shaking as she roared with laughter.

"What?! What is it?!" I said.

I couldn't help but laugh too.

"What?!" I snickered.

"You- you did it!" she managed to voice in between shrieks of amusement. "You kissed him!"

"It was just a hug but...yes I suppose. But so what? You've done the same to Amina!"

I covered my mouth, as if stopping anymore thoughtless words from slipping out.

"Yes I saw that, way back on the SS Hatshepsut."

Now it was Daisy's turn to blush.

"Silence, Watson! You- you, didn't tell anyone... did you?"

I shook my head.

Daisy nodded approvingly, and briskly changed the subject.

"So you kissed him at Christmas as well?"

"Yes. Wait- how do you know?"

"I heard you say he looks different from Christmas."

"How long where you there for?!"

"Oh not very long. Why didn't you tell me about what happened at Christmas?"

"Because you'd laugh at me and tease me and tell me his arms are too long. You know, his body has grown to match his arms now!"

My eyes were welling with tears.

"Oh, Hazel. I'm sorry - I didn't mean to offend you!"

"Well you should be more considerate then." I snapped. "You have a tendency to say things without thinking, Daisy Wells. And people have feelings, even if they don't show them."

"I'm sorry."

She hugged me.

"Oh yes!" I sniffed. "I almost forgot. I- err.. well I-"

"Spit it out, Watson!"

"I got us a case." I said without meeting her eyes. "I'm sorry, I know I'm a hypocri-"

But Daisy didn't look so sorry.

"Oh yesss!!!!" She cheered. "To hell with a holiday with no detecting!"

"Oh. Your fine with it. That's good."

"Of course I'm fine with it! No one but you wanted no cases, but I went along with it because I am kind."

I laughed.

"What's the case?" Daisy asked enthusiastically.

"Mrs Doherty asked me to find out as much as possible about Nancy."

"Why?"

"Because she.." I finished in a whisper, in case anyone was listening in. "Doesn't trust her or like her."

Daisy's lips stretched into a grin.

"Let's go!" She said. "Have you told the boys?"

"I've told Alexander that we need to detect, but not what we actually need to do."

"Huh. And you didn't tell me" She muttered, pouting. "Probably too busy kissing him."

I glared at her.

"Sorry, sorry! Anyway, let's go and tell them!"

Abruptly, the gong clanged for dinner.