Original Short Story
Cousins Pip and Sol ran their detective agency from behind the compost bins. Their sign read Mysteries Solved, Biscuits Accepted. Their best clue was almost always pepper.
When Mrs. Rani’s pie vanished, they followed the smell of cracked pepper and beef gravy to Mr. Leek’s shed, where he was hiding with guilt and a fork. When the community hall keys disappeared, they found them in a coat dusted with white pepper from the sausage roll table.
Their greatest case involved no crime at all: a lonely neighbour cooking peppered soup every night but never inviting anyone. Pip and Sol solved it by bringing bowls. The agency’s motto changed to Mysteries Solved, Dinner Shared, Pepper Optional But Recommended.