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A New Case. Chapter 8





Firstly, it's Sunday Selfie time.... 



We are joining The Kitties Blue, from The Cat on My Head blog, for the weekly celebration of blogs and bloggers from across the world and across the species.


Please download the linky link from their site, and join the fun!



Here is this weeks selfie.....






News on the local grapevine was that a mouse had been seen in the undergrowth near the potting sheds.

Of course it fell to yours truly to squash such fell rumours before everyone and their housekeeper wanted to tramp across the lawns in search of this rare beastie.

As it happened it was a false alarm, and so I had to go elsewhere for my mid morning snack.

But it did provide a great opportunity for this weeks selfie. Here you see me in hunting mode, and even my ear floof is in high alert!

To see what all our pals have been up to this week, please click the links below......







And now, it's Story time!





(Chapter 7 can be found HERE)


Chapter 8



It was nearer tea time when the two cats awoke from their slumber. Mrs Hudson had given the apartment a clean, and the smell of polish and the heavenly aroma of fresh baked cake, met their noses. After a good stretch, and a short groom, they all savoured one of Mrs Hudson's special secret restorative herbal brews, and a slice of nip infused light Victoria sponge cake. The topic of conversation soon turned to the investigation plans.

"Well, Esme," Mrs Hudson said. "I think what you need to do is go over the store layout and exits and then give us a quick guided tour before the store shuts. Then we, Erin and I, will need to be seen to leave. We then need you to let us in the back door so we can hide until night then go and have a look around. Are you OK to do that?"

"Oh yes, I know I can," smiled Esme. "I have let mamma in a few times late at night so she can finish her work. Around midnight will be best as the guard usually has a sleep around then till three. If I can share your transport, Erin, I can show you all the nooks and crannies and hiding places I, and sometimes mamma, use. You see sometimes at night we have to sneak around the store to fetch buttons and trimmings to finish the ball gowns she makes for this place. She gets so very little for all her hard work, and yet is devoted to it. She loves to think that those gowns will grace the social scene and debutantes’ balls. She even checks the newspapers and magazine society pages just in case."

"And has she seen any?" Mrs Hudson enquired. "She shouldn't fret about that too much if she doesn’t as there are many balls, and many fine ladies that shy from the flashbulbs of the press. Let’s head off shall we, and see what we shall see. Time is of the essence and clues, if there are any, will be thin on the ground."

With that, Esme hopped into the Sleepypod, followed by Erin, and they made for the lift and the store below. Starting with the 5th floor, the sixth to eight being for offices and storage, they worked their way downwards. They toured each floor and department in a sedate but purposeful manner. Esme discretely pointed out doors behind which they could hide later on, as they weren’t usually locked. Some lead into changing rooms, whilst others contained little more brooms, or piles of paper bags for wrapping customers purchases.

Herod’s boasted its own Post Office, situated on the first floor. On leaving the elevator, Mrs Hudson made a beeline for the Postmistress, and sent off a large brown-paper wrapped package from the bottom of the trolley. Erin scratched her head in wonderment, not only as to what might have been inside, but when Mrs H had the opportunity to get it!

They moved to view the as yet unopened Companion Pet Department, where Mrs Hudson feigned a hot flush. Fanning herself, she asked a balding and somewhat coarse looking man, if she could have a seat and a glass of water. He frowned and mumble that he wasn't there as someone’s servant to fetch water, or be a nanny to an old bat.

"I beg your pardon, young man!" Mrs Hudson snapped back, with an air in her voice that cut a silence across the entire floor, and stopped a baby crying. "That is no way to address a lady, elder or better. I may only be a housekeeper but you, my man, are an uncouth lout of the first order! I shall be informing the manager of your manners, just as soon as I recover my breath."

"Get the lady a chair NOW, Mr Askew,” boomed a voice. “And then apologise, or you'll be off the floor and out this store without so much as a penny pay. And I’ll see to it that you'll not find work anywhere in London ever again. Now hop too it!" The voice came from behind Mrs Hudson, and made her jump ever so slightly. It did, however, make Mr Askew cower and touch his forelock, well where it would have been if he had more hair.

Mrs Hudson turned and was greeted by the stern face of the shop owner, Mr Herod, glaring at Mr Askew. He stood six-foot-tall and square shouldered, with chiseled jaw. He was impeccably dressed in fine black pinstripe Italian cut suit with yellow silk cravat and matching handkerchief in the top pocket. A suit that had cost more than the days wages for the staff who now stood, along with the customers, staring at the scene. He was not, however a frivolous man, but had learnt from his wife long ago, that an investment in quality products that lasted longer would more than repay the greater cost.

As he turned and looked at the housekeeper before him, his expression changed. His smile radiated warmth and his eyes concern. "My dear lady, I do not know what to say by way of apology, or where to begin. But begin I must, to make amends for this boorish man’s attitude. It is not what one expects from King Herod's store, nor will it be countenanced. Please do accept a gift from me and the staff by way of an apology, and in appreciation of your custom, now and in years to come." He waved at the floor walker who beetled over in double time. Having whispered something in his ear he turned once more to face Mrs Hudson, and Esme and Erin who now had now had their heads out of the carrier.

"Mr James, here, is our chief floor walker. He will escort you, at a time of your choosing, to the couture department. There you may pick whatever outfit you wish, at my expense." He hesitated for a moment, and then reached into his pocket and retrieve a small gold embellished envelope, and passed it to Mrs Hudson. "Please also do accept this invitation to be present for the royal visit to our great store, where she, her majesty he Queen, will be opening our new Companions Department." He glanced down at the two cat’s heads poking out from the carrier. "Which I think, given your two companions there, will be of great interest to you all. Now if you will excuse me, ladies, I need to get on with arrangements before the store closes." He gave them all a gentlemanly nod, and without waiting for acknowledgement, turned and purposefully marched to the awaiting elevator, shooing back to work, the still on-looking staff.

"Well, that is a wonderful surprise, thank you," said Mrs Hudson in a voice loud enough to carry to both Mr Herod, and Mr Askew. "Oh, and here is my chair too." Esme and Erin turned and saw a quite contrite Mr Askew carrying a light rattan chair and a very slender three leg table, which he set down just beside the roped off area. Without speaking, he went and fetched a glass of water, which he handed to Mrs Hudson. Only then did he stand before her and bow and apologise. Then, like a mouse that has had a close shave with a lazy cat, he fled back into the recesses of the store, not to be seen again.


To be continued......

Thank you for joining us in this adventure, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter and a look into King Herod's department Store. Join me next week when the search for the missing kittens continues....




This post first appeared on Erin The Cat, Princess, please read the originial post: here

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A New Case. Chapter 8

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