Hunter's Festival - an Extract

I have now finished the manuscript of the next DI Hunter Thriller.

I wanted to treat you all to a short excerpt from near the beginning of the book. Please let me know if you enjoy it.

The Extract

Chapter one

“The festival is here again. I love this time of year. The city is so busy and vibrant,” Hunter smiled at Meera. “Edinburgh is such a beautiful city, isn’t it?”

              “It is. But what we call The Festival is really several different festivals of the arts. The original Festival with high arts like ballet, opera and traditional theatre, the Fringe Festival…”

"Yes, I noticed there are a lot of good comedians here this year and Nadia mentioned there are some excellent shows she thinks her children will enjoy.”

              “And of course you have the Jazz Festival, the Film Festival. It’s an exciting time to be here.” Meera said.

“I agree with you, in August Edinburgh comes to life. And you have three days off, at the same time as me. It’s a miracle!” Meera laughed and held his hand. Hunter pulled away. “Oh, don’t be such a stuffed shirt, Hunter. Hold my hand.”

              “What if someone sees us?”

              “So what? A woman is holding her fiancé’s hand.”

              “In the street.”

              “Yes, in the Royal Mile, near St’ Giles Cathedral no less. It’s no very shocking.”

              “I’m a DCI now. I need respect.”

              “I’m the senior pathologist; I get respect but right now I want to hold my fiancé’s hand. Is that too much to ask?” She put out her hand, and he blushed as he moved to take it.

              “You are quite shy in public, aren’t you, darling?”

              “I suppose so. I’ve always been reserved; I can’t help it.”

              Just then a glamorous woman ran up to him. “Hunter, how lovely to see you again. It’s been so long. But I Can’t stop. I have to go or I’ll be late for my meeting, but I’m working in town during the festival so it would be lovely to catch up soon, darling.” She grabbed his arm, and when he moved his head her kiss landed firmly his lips and by the time Hunter had caught his breath she was gone.

              “…but you won’t hold my hand?” Meera questioned. “Who on earth was that?”

              “I have no idea. I’m not aware of ever having seen her before.”

              “Well. She certainly seemed to know you, darling.” Meera emphasised her last word the way the other woman had. Then she grinned and slipped her hand into his. This time there was no resistance. “Shall we go to Deacon Brodie’s Tavern for lunch now?”

              “Yes, our table is This time booked for one o’clock but I think I might need a liquid lunch after that.”

              “You won’t get much respect if you come staggering out of the pub in the middle of the afternoon, DCI Wilson.”

              Hunter shrugged. “Maybe not, but my fiancée might give me a little understanding after I was unceremoniously snogged in the street.”

              “I wouldn’t count on it, darling.” She teased.

              “It was obviously a case of mistaken identity, Meera.”

              “I’d like to think it was, but she knew your name.”

Val Penny