Deadly Date Night

Oh Come on! I thought. Seriously Universe? It was our first official date. We’d literally arrived at our wine tasting weekend location no more than 5 hours ago and already things had taken a turn for the disaster. Yet again. I don't completely loathe the disasters that appeared to follow me around. That's how I met my boyfriend after all, us being involved in a hostage type situation a few months ago and all, but still. It’d be nice to have a break from the stress of it is all I’m saying. And I’m saying that while looking at what appears to be a dead body.

The drive through the scenic countryside had been lovely. I had basked in the moment with Jake and took in the picturesque views and Jake's beautiful, rumbling voice as he sang along with the radio under his breath. His calloused, strong hand holding my own. We arrived at the remote cabin-like lodge, admired our beautiful room that the helpful staff showed us to and settled in, then we met back downstairs in the dining hall for dinner and to meet some of the other couples who’d chosen the weekend retreat the same as us. The three course meal had been delicious and the Merlot stunning. Then our evenings wine guide led us to the tasting room, and that’s where we were now. Standing around, shocked, looking at the body of a middle aged man laying on the floor with open unseeing eyes. I had to say, this was a first, even for me.

Jake’s voice calling out asking if the authorities had been called pulled me out of the stupor I’d been in. Jake pulled me back against him from where I’d absentmindedly crept forward, closer to the body. It was a change from our first meeting, where I’d been the one to pull him out of his own stupor.

When the authorities did arrive, we were all ushered back into the dining room and told not to go anywhere. That’s when I finally realised that this was a murder investigation. I couldn’t believe it. We’d only wanted to have a nice normal people, romantic weekend, and were were now potential suspects in a murder. It was like an Agatha Christie novel, I was just waiting for Poirot to walk into the room and start questioning us. The officer who did question us, was not Poirot.

After that first round of questioning, we were all allowed to go to our rooms that had been thoroughly searched over by the investigative team that now occupied the lodge with us. “I can’t believe this is happening.” I said to Jake in despair when we were finally alone together. After the events of the evening we were both drained. I felt dirty and in desperate need of a shower. Jake joined me under the spray and massaged my shoulders to try and help me relax. “I know it’s awful,” He said, “But so much for a romantic weekend. We must be magnets for disaster.” His rumble soothed me and we held each other through the night. Sleep was hard to come by, with the fear and apprehension weighing on our minds. Eventually we managed to drift off sometime near dawn.

The weekend was a blur of relentless questions and stress. We were given no information and were confined for the majority of the time to our rooms, with food being delivered to us. Eventually we were allowed to leave, after the movie famous but still ominous “Don’t leave town.”

Some time later, once the investigation and autopsy had been completed, we learned that there was no foul play involved. The man had been suffering with heart problems and wasn’t supposed to be drinking wine due to the medication he had been prescribed.

I guess, death by Merlot isn't such a bad way to go?