Diana Xarissa [Xarissa - Aunt Bessie Volunteers

Were twenty-two books into the series and Im still enjoying spending time with Bessie and her friends. I hope you are, as well. I believe the series is best read in order. The last words in the titles run alphabetically to make it easy to know the order in which to read them. Each story is complete if you prefer not to read them all, however.

Bessie first appeared in my romance novel Island Inheritance. Because shed recently passed away in that story, I set the first in the cozy mystery series about fifteen years before the romance. The first Bessie story took place in April, 1998, therefore, and the stories have continued at a pace of about one a month since then. This book is set in January, 2000. Were getting close to the end of the alphabet now. I have plans for Bessie beyond Z, however. More details will be forthcoming in future books.

This is a work of fiction and all of the characters have been created by the author. Any resemblance that they may bear to real people, either living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Of course the setting, the Isle of Man, is a real place. The historical sites mentioned in this book are also real, although the events that take place within those sites in the story are all fictional. The businesses within the story are entirely fictional and have been located where convenient for the story. They are not necessarily located where any real businesses exist on the island. Any resemblance that they may bear to any real businesses is also coincidental.

The Isle of Man is a United Kingdom crown dependency and I use British English (and Manx) for spellings and terms throughout the book. There is a short glossary at the back for anyone who is unfamiliar with any of the words or terms. As Ive lived in the US for many years now, Im sure many Americanisms are now sneaking into my writing. I try to correct them if they are pointed out to me.

I love hearing from readers. Please feel free to get in touch. All of my contact information is available at the back of the book.

I really appreciate this, Mark Blake said as he pointed his car west.

Its not a problem, Elizabeth Cubbon assured him.

Youd say that even if youd had to cancel something important to help me. Thats just how you are, Bessie, Mark replied.

Maybe, but I didnt have to cancel anything. I didnt have any plans for today. Known as Bessie to nearly everyone, she knew she had a reputation for always being willing and able to help out when needed. Shed done more than her fair share of volunteer work over the years, especially with Manx National Heritage, the governmental body charged with promoting and protecting the islands history.

Mark chuckled. Whatever, Im still enormously grateful. After all the work you did for Christmas at the Castle, I wouldnt have blamed you one bit if you refused to help me with any more projects.

This one sounds fascinating, though, Bessie countered. Ive always wondered whats inside the various structures around Peel Castle.

We arent expecting to find much of anything, but I know well find boxes of old promotional materials in some of them. Thats why I asked for your help, you know. Im hoping youll be able to remember when some of the various promotions were run.

Ill do my best. I remember one summer, maybe in the late sixties, when every visitor received a commemorative pin. Is that the sort of thing you mean?

Exactly that. Some of the items will be dated, I hope, but over the years weve given away cups, coffee mugs, pins, toys, and goodness knows what else. Someone was meant to be keeping records of what was given out, but no one seems to know where those records are now. I want to try some new things, but Im hoping to get inspiration from what was done in the past.

Im surprised things have been kept for so long.

None of the spaces around the castle are actually usable for much of anything, so people have fallen into the habit of just shoving boxes into every spare corner. Thats the other reason why Im doing this, actually. The whole of Manx National Heritage is trying to clear out as much rubbish as possible. I know for a fact that we have six boxes of guidebooks from the nineteen-eighties at the castle. Theres no way wed ever use them again. Today, they all get sent for recycling.

It sounds as if a good clear-out is well overdue.

It is, yes. Some of our staff have been reluctant to discuss the matter, but there have been a few changes made lately. I believe things might begin moving in new directions within MNH.

I hope thats good news.

I do, too. I believe were going to see some modernisation, anyway. Well see.

The drive across the island didnt seem to take very long. Bessie glanced at Tynwald Hill as they drove past it. July seems a long way off, she remarked.

It will be here before we know it. We want to try some different things with the Tynwald Day festivities, too, actually, although that may have to wait another year or two.

What are you thinking of changing? Bessie asked nervously. The annual Manx National Day was one of her favourite celebrations. Nearly everyone on the island met in St. Johns to celebrate the islands heritage. Tynwald, the nations parliament, met in the open air in front of the assembly. All laws passed in the previous twelve months were read out in both English and Manx and anyone with a grievance could come forward and present it to the government. Besides the official activities, there was food, entertainment, and fireworks.

Nothing major, Mark assured her. One thing weve been talking about is trying to do different things each year that will leave a lasting legacy.

Im intrigued. What sorts of things?

Maybe an art piece to which everyone could contribute. Weve been talking about doing something in conjunction with the arboretum, as well, maybe planting additional trees each year to mark the day.

As long as the basics remain the same, Ill look forward to seeing what other things you can add.

Weve no intention of interfering with the basics. The day is already very special. We just want to enhance that.

Mark slowed down as he negotiated his way through the narrow streets of Peel. The castle loomed over them as they drove along the causeway to the car park. Mark pulled into a space next to a large van.

It looks as if the others are already here, he told Bessie.

Others?

I requested three or four of our youngest and strongest staff members to help carry heavy boxes around the site. I imagine well end up loading the van with boxes at least twice, maybe three times. When were done, I want every space out here to be empty, if at all possible.

Bessie nodded. Im not sure how much help Ill be, but Ill do what I can.

I might not have had to bother you if Henry had been available.

How is he? Bessie asked. Henry had been working for MNH since hed left school. Now in his fifties, the man knew just about every inch of every historical site on the island. He and Bessie were friends, and shed been very worried when shed heard that hed been rushed to Nobles, the islands main hospital, just a few days after Christmas. Hed been suffering from a very bad case of flu, and hed ended up in hospital for almost a week.

Hes going to be fine. The doctors want him resting for another week or two, though and then hes going to be confined to light office work for several more weeks. He isnt up to stomping all over Peel Castle right now.