Merged By Murders

Chapter Six

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Chapter Six

“Dalmatians; nah, too overrated,” I replied to Bill.

“Yes, but I've heard they provide excellent company.”

“Yeah, but pretty much all dogs do, don't you think?” I countered. Bill just shrugged his shoulders.

“Have you heard of that new breed?” he asked, “the Shiba Inu?”

“No,” I snorted, “are you sure it's real?”

“Of course I am,” he grinned, “they're pretty exotic though so I doubt they'll have them here. So cute and that's coming from a guy. They have really fluffy ears and curly tails.”

“Uh huh,” I mumbled in disbelief, causing Bill to roll his eyes. We passed puppy after hound after bitch, and each and every dog made my heart clench. I wanted to take them all home, but then again, I wasn't the one buying a dog; Bill was.

Two hours previously.

“Melinda – I'll get that.” The voice echoed through the silent house of 28 Nashton Hill. With a shudder, the door opened to reveal the pale face of a middle-aged man who looked around our little party with a mixture of different expressions on his face. Surprise. Glee. Disbelief. All expressions wiped from his face as he reluctantly opened the door wide, letting us all in. As Brian was passing through, he stopped and gave the man a little nod who provided him with a weak smile in return. I passed him awkwardly, avoiding eye contact. Why did I let the others usher me into this? The hallway was bombarded with picture frame upon picture frame of a smiling girl with soft, blonde hair, family couples posing next to the Eiffel tower, giant pyramids and other significant landmarks.

In the living room, a woman with long wavy brown hair and a gaunt face sat with her eyes closed and at the sound of our arrival, they fluttered open and gazed around at us all with a mistiness fogging them.

“Emmeline, Louise, Jesse.. oh Jesse! Brian.” Her eyes landed on me and she frowned in disarray. Of a sudden she rose and came towards me, her eyes scrutinizing every part of my face.

“I'm Melinda Beckett, you're not Andrea are you?”

“N-No,” I stuttered, “I'm Denise.”

“Sammie never mentioned you,” she accused, narrowing her eyes. For a second, I panicked, was she going to kick me out?

“But I'm sure you're lovely,” she breathed, headed back to her seat. I sighed with relief. Jesse was the first to move: he perched on the sofa next to Melinda, grabbing her hands and giving them a tight squeeze.

“My respects,” he choked out as Melinda grew teary-eyed with him.

“All of ours,” Emmeline whispered, shuffling over to rest nail-bitten hand on Melinda's shoulder. Brian and Louise murmured in agreement, so I quickly started nodding my head.

“Th-th-thank-you all, she loves you all. True friends. She'll have loved you more for coming.” Melinda's words were hard to comprehend, but everyone knew the gist of what she was saying. Making the sign of the cross, Melinda muttered 'may she rest in eternal peace, Amen.', and everyone copied. Even me, despite being slow to the uptake. A knock sounded at the living room door, and since I was the closet, I went to open it. The same man from before – who I presumed to be Sammie's father – stood on the other side, laden with a platter full of teacups from which steam arose.

“Would you like me to take some?” I offered.

“No, no. It's okay. Thank-you,” he smiled, then bustled past me while I held the door open wide. Once I had shut it, I returned to the others, picking up the remaining teacup which I presumed was mine. The cups were a pale blue, encircled with white and gold doves.