Death of a Mad Hatter (A Hat Shop Mystery) Read Free Page B

want the input of the people whose party you are planning,” I said.
    I turned my back on her and held out the sketches to Dotty.
    “Oh, thank you, dear,” Dotty said. She perched her reading glasses on the end of her nose and studied Viv’s sketches. “Oh, I like that.”
    I glanced at the paper. They were looking at Viv’s sketch for the Mad Hatter’s hat. It was the standard top hat that the Mad Hatter always wore, but Viv had made it bold in bright-blue fabric with white polka dots. The hat band was contrasting red and tucked into it was the
In this style 10/6
note, which was how the original illustrator of the book
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
and its sequel
,Through the Looking Glass,
Sir John Tenniel, had depicted the hat.
    “What does that mean?” Tina asked. “The ten and six?”
    “It means the cost of the hat is ten shillings and six pence,” Viv said.
    “Nice detail. I’m impressed,” Tina said.
    “Don’t be. I looked it up,” Viv said with a smile.
    She checked the flowers on the hat to see that they were securely fastened and then she tied off her thread, snipping the end with a pair of embroidery scissors that were in the shape of a stork. I remembered they were Mim’s old scissors, and it made me feel nostalgic to see Viv use them.
    “Ginny, I just love how you’ve livened up the idea,” Dotty said. She reached over and patted Viv’s hand. “I think these will do very well.”
    “I thought her name was V—” Rose began, but Tina shook her head.
    The two of them looked at one another, and I saw Rose give Tina a slow nod as if understanding a secret message. They were two of a kind: both brunettes with stylish cuts and clothes that looked casual but were exquisitely made and came with a matching price tag.
    “Well, I can see that my services won’t be needed for this party, since my opinion is obviously of no interest. I am sure there are other events I can be attending to,” Marilyn huffed.
    “Here now, what’s this?” Daphne asked as she tucked her phone back into her clutch purse and joined the group.
    “Apparently, my opinion of the hat designs is of no importance,” Marilyn said. “So I am assuming that my services as the event planner are not required either.”
    “Oh no!” Daphne cried. “You simply have to work on the tea party. Tell her, Mother.”
    Dotty didn’t look up. Instead she shuffled the sketches until she got to the next one.
    I glanced at Daphne. She was in full-on middle age, with thick hips and hair beginning to go gray, not that she was letting it win that battle. I imagined her colorist was making a fortune off of her trying to keep her chin-length hair the shade of ash blonde she had going. Given how enamored she was with Marilyn, I assumed she was the type to buy into the other’s pretentions.
    “Mother, are you listening?” Daphne asked.
    Dotty glanced up. “Don’t worry, dear,” she said. “I’m sure it won’t make any difference to Brenda whether Ms. Tofts or someone else plans the tea.”
    Marilyn and Daphne looked at one another and gasped.
    “You never said!” Marilyn accused Daphne.
    “I didn’t know!” Daphne protested.
    “Mrs. Grisby, under the circumstance, I’ll be more than happy to plan the tea party,” Marilyn said. Her tone was clearly groveling.
    I frowned. Obviously, I was missing something, like who the heck was Brenda?
    “Well, that’s excellent news,” Dotty said. “Perhaps you should go see to the caterers, then; I do think my friend Ginny has the hats in hand.”
    “Of course, my pleasure,” Marilyn said, all but bowing as she made her way to the door.
    Daphne walked her out and I could hear the two of them whispering excitedly as they went.
    “Mum, what are you playing at?” Rose asked. She pushed her black-framed glasses up her nose.
    “Why nothing,” Dotty said. “My friend Brenda is coming up from Brighton for the tea, and I’m sure she doesn’t care who does the planning.”
    Viv and