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Clover in the Gardens of Good and Evil

or

“In Cold Mud!”

Available now

The year is 1998 and a deceptively simple robbery triggers a power struggle at the world-famous Waite Gardens, where iconic glasshouses, historic landmarks and provocative modern art meet cutting-edge scientific research.

Behind the scenes, Miss Clover Lightfoot, perennially underestimated primary school teacher, education officer and sleuth is the only one who can unearth the truth, rescue the gardens from ruin and see that justice is done!

Chapter 1

December 1st 1998

“Clover darling, tell me it’s all going swimmingly, won’t you?” Yvette sounded nervous on the other end of the phone. Clover pulled on the cord, stretching it to keep the handset up to her ear as she looked around.

The art gallery was quickly filling up with excited guests. Light from the setting sun poured in through the gallery’s tall, plate-glass windows. Outside, she could see the stout towers of Waite Palace and the distant gleaming dome of the Congenial House. Lights twinkled among the trees as crowds of people passed by, following the paper lanterns of the Waite for Christmas trail. In the distance, the white tower of the Grand Campanile caught the last of the sunlight, its columns, arches and classical proportions so reminiscent of the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. A folly but a dignified one that had been watching over south west London for the last hundred years.

“Everything seems to be going very well,” said Clover. “A couple of people have complained about the Congenial House being closed and obviously nobody’s pleased that the innovation festival has been delayed. Some of the visitors are scientists and when they found out the Seed Vault was shut too, well, they weren’t happy.”

“Clover dear, you’ll have to do more to manage expectations. Waite for the Future is our number one strategic priority. We must support the innovation festival in every way we can and we absolutely can’t have unhappy scientists. We simply have to get everyone to understand that the gardens aren’t just a venue for the arts and a pretty place to visit, they’re a world-leading centre for science and research as well.”

Clover lowered her voice to a whisper, “Sorry Yvette, but didn’t you tell me just this afternoon that events that bring more paying visitors into the gardens, like Waite for Christmas, are our number one priority?”

There was a pause on the other end of the line, “Well yes obviously that too. Clover dear, you’re not just a teacher any more, you really must start to think a little bigger than that. Here at Waite, I think you’ll find it is necessary to have more than one top priority at a time. Now, how’s the grand opening going?”

Clover took a breath, “It looks like the press have turned up and the artist, well, he’s being provocative in a suitably challenging way. It makes such a difference to have children here, lots of positive feedback from parents about our art competition and everyone seems happy to see the children’s paintings on display along with the other artworks.”

Clover leaned to one side to see if she could spot any of the children. She hoped that it wouldn’t get overwhelming for them but she wasn’t too worried as all the prizewinners she’d met so far were safely accompanied by their parents. “I actually used to teach one of them,” she said. “I hope she’s able to come, it would be lovely to see her again.”

She glimpsed the empty podium and returned her full attention to Yvette. “Everything’s ready for your speech and everyone’s very eager for the big unveiling, are you coming over now?”

“Ah…I’m afraid not.” Yvette paused and Clover distinctly heard her hiccoughing. “I’m actually feeling a little under the weather so I may need to rest here, just for a while.” Clover peered out of the window towards Waite Palace. Lights shone brightly in the windows of the Chairman’s State Room, which Yvette Renault, Executive Operations Manager of the gardens, had taken to using as her office. “I have every confidence that you can take care of things there,” said Yvette. “I’m sure you’ll do brilliantly. I do have one teensy little thing to pass on though. I’m afraid you’re about to have a visitor and he may not be at his best right now. In fact he may be a tad intoxicated.”

“Yvette, what are you talking about?”

Yvette’s own voice sounded slightly slurred as she replied, “It’s Damian. We shared a rather gorgeous bottle of wine and had a very lively discussion about the importance of the arts. But now he’s heading your way with an interest in meeting our controversial artist in residence.”

“And he’s drunk?”

“Yes, very much so and I’m afraid he’s in quite a mood. You know how passionate he is about his work. You’ll just have to take care of him.”

“What? Take care of him how?”

The dial tone sounded in Clover’s ear. Swallowing her concerns, she replaced the handset. Turning back towards the windows, she squinted, trying to see through her own reflection as a figure came stumbling out of the woods.

Hoping to intercept the newcomer, Clover made her way quickly through the crowd. The gallery was packed, glasses clinked and dresses sparkled. A mood of quiet excitement had been building at the unveiling of a new artwork by the Young British Artist Matthew Haste. Hasty, as he insisted on being called, was surrounded by guests and reporters, clearly enjoying the attention. A tall, mysterious form stood at the centre of the gallery space, veiled with a silver cloth and drawing everyone’s eye. A small podium stood beside it with Yvette’s speech printed out ready. So am I in charge of all this now? Clover wondered as she wove her way through the crowd. I still can’t quite believe I actually work here.

“Miss Lightfoot!”

Clover turned at the sound of a familiar voice. Sequoia was in year 7 by now but Clover could still easily recognise her former pupil.

“Sequoia, hi! I’m so glad you could make it!”

“I nearly didn’t,” said Sequoia nervously. “I couldn’t believe it when I got the invitation.”

Clover laughed, “Really? Didn’t I always tell you that your paintings were amazing? I wasn’t surprised at all when the judges selected your work to be included in the exhibition.”

Sequoia smiled modestly, “I remember you teaching us how to mix different colours and I realised I enjoyed exploring that, it really influenced my style. I’m still not very good though.”

“That’s not true! Your paintings really deserve to be seen,” said Clover. “Not that Hasty’s art doesn’t of course,” she added quickly. “Are you here with your parents? They must be very excited.”

“They dropped me off at the gates,” Sequoia shrugged, “It doesn’t matter, I knew you’d be proud of me.”

“I am, very much,” said Clover just as a glass fell from someone’s hand and shattered on the floor. “Oh dear, I should see what’s going on.”

“Go ahead Miss, it’s OK, I’ll find the other prizewinners and see you later.”

“Definitely,” said Clover as the crowd parted to reveal Damian Mingella, the maverick CEO of Gelegenheit Biotech. He swayed, causing other guests to swerve away from him and, just as Yvette had warned, he did look very drunk. A waiter was nervously trying to help, reaching out to try to stop a half-full glass of wine from spilling.

Shrugging him off and spinning away unsteadily, Damian drew his hand back and slapped the young man hard across the face.

***

Praise for Miss Clover Lightfoot Investigates:

The author has a magical way of bring the characters alive! This book was sheer reader bliss!

Isa Grace – Amazon, Canada

A clever concept and really well crafted with revelations that rival anything written by Agatha Christie.

Krystyna, VINE VOICE, – Amazon UK

A wonderful little book which evoked many fond memories of my own school experiences and the teachers who inspired me.

Jane Kelly – Amazon UK

I hope that the author writes many, many more in this series and promise I will be buying every single book in the series as quickly as they come available.

Linda M. Lynch – Amazon USA

Previous books in the series

No fictional children or bunny rabbits were harmed in the writing of this book

UK www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MCVAUW8

USA www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCVAUW8/

No fictional children or ponies were harmed in the writing of this book

UK www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M7ZJ18Z/

USA www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7ZJ18Z/