Second Chance Summer, page 18
‘Jesus. A person? It – they didn’t hurt you?’
‘No.’
‘Was it a man or a woman?’ he asked, still holding her, but gently. Her breathing gradually steadied.
‘I’m not sure. I know that sounds silly, but it was just a fleeting glimpse in deep shade. I went inside there to sketch the foxgloves around the hearth and the figure dashed across the open doorway. It was a real person, Sam. I shouted after them. Asked who they were. I wanted to go after them but I – I didn’t think it was a good idea, so I just left everything in the cottage and ran up here.’
‘You must have been petrified.’ He swore. ‘I’m going down there to find them right now!’
‘No, please.’
‘Why not?’ he said, his blood boiling at the thought of someone upsetting or even threatening Lily. ‘I’ll have to tell the police. The chief inspector, Ben, is a friend of mine. He’ll take it seriously.’
‘No – don’t! I don’t think they mean any harm. They probably only want to prank me.’
‘Scaring you isn’t funny!’
Sam folded her to him until her breathing steadied. It felt so good to hold her, to comfort her. She lifted her face away from his shoulder and looked up at him. Too soon, she would pull away from him and this moment would be over, this moment that he wanted to stretch out forever.
She tilted up her head and he lowered his face to hers for the kiss that he hadn’t realised he’d been craving. He wanted to kiss her, even though it might lead to more and make things harder when she left.
Her lips brushed his and then she was out of his arms, leaving him feeling empty.
‘God, talk about being spooked …’ Her cheeks had turned pink. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t apologise,’ he said gruffly, torn between disappointment and relief that the kiss had ended so quickly. ‘It must have been a horrible shock. And look, you’ve fallen into the brambles.’
Moving even further out of his reach, she glanced down at her scratched legs. ‘I was in a hurry to get away but I’m fine, honestly. It’s my sketch pad and paints I’m worried about. I left them in the old cottage.’
‘I’ll get them.’ Anger welled up inside him. ‘And I am going to find out who’s behind this! Prankster, my arse!’
Lily’s laughter was edged with embarrassment. Had her scary encounter made her nervy or was it her reaction – their joint reaction – afterwards? ‘Are you still sure no one could reach the island?’ she asked. ‘I’ve seen an old photo with a rowing boat drawn up on the beach, in one of the books in the cottage.’
‘Like I said, it’s possible by kayak or rowing boat in the right conditions and I agree it’s someone real,’ he said briskly. ‘Do you have any idea at all of what they looked like?’
‘Not really. I am sorry. I heard the bracken rustle and I heard them breathing, then saw them dash across the open doorway. They were wearing dark clothing and it was difficult to see detail in the shadows. I guess they could have had a hoodie on, or a coat.’ She hesitated. ‘I’m really not sure.’
‘The only idea I can come up with is it’s someone who wants to cause trouble. Whether it’s a journalist or locals who don’t like the idea of the development here, I have no idea. I’m going to have a bloody good look round right now. You stay here. Lock the door if you want.’
‘I’d rather come with you.’
‘Fine. Let’s go together, but we’ll get you cleaned up first and I’ll make you a cup of tea.’
‘I’d rather have a coffee with some of that island rum from the cottage.’
‘I’ll come over and make you one now. No arguments.’
Sam made the drinks while Lily washed herself in the bathroom and daubed some antiseptic cream on her legs. Sam was seething with whichever idiot – or idiots – had decided to frighten his guest. How could he open the retreat while this was going on? How could he guarantee that Lily’s family would be safe?
Plus, there was now the added complication of that kiss – if it was a kiss? He’d felt her lips brush his, tasted lip gloss.
He remembered his decision not to get emotionally involved with the guests. It followed he shouldn’t kiss them either. He was teetering perilously close to throwing the whole rulebook out the window …
When Lily emerged from the bathroom, she looked calmer.
Sam reverted to brisk practicality and handed over the coffee. ‘I made one for me without the rum.’
‘Thanks. Look, I really don’t want to be any more trouble,’ she said. ‘It’s funny that it’s only me who sees them.’
‘They’re probably worried I’d recognise them if they’re from round here.’
‘Maybe … but there’s something else I haven’t told you. Somebody left me a sign on the terrace table a few days ago. A message spelled out in pebbles.’
‘What?’ His stomach clenched. ‘Why didn’t you say anything?’
‘You were busy with the cottage. It didn’t seem that bad at the time but now, having almost come face to face with an intruder, it does feel like I’m being singled out.’
He wanted to hug her again but didn’t dare. He was, however, determined to keep her safe.
‘What kind of message was it?’ he said, a chill seizing him.
‘Well, the pebbles spelled out LEAVE.’
‘Right. That’s it,’ Sam declared, firing up with anger and protective instinct. ‘We’re getting off the island. I’m going to take you over to Bryher before dinner. We can stay at Hell Bay House for the night.’
‘Oh, that’s not necessary.’
‘It is until I get to the bottom of this,’ he said firmly. ‘I want to make sure that there won’t be any disturbance when your family arrives.’
‘But I can’t stay in your home!’
‘Yes, you can,’ he said, determined that nothing else would go wrong. ‘Pack your bag now. We’re leaving.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Lily felt it was strange to be spending the night at Sam’s home, though she wasn’t going to object again because the appearance of the intruder had genuinely spooked her. Someone had it in for her, enough to make a difficult landing on the island and risk being seen.
Elspeth was waiting on the quayside when they arrived, and hugged Lily tightly.
‘Oh, you poor thing!’ she said, while Sam tied up. ‘Sam says you’ve had a terrible fright.’
‘It was just a scare. I’m OK.’ Still cringing with embarrassment, Lily was determined to downplay her encounter, especially with islanders hanging around the quayside, their interest piqued by Elspeth’s display of concern.
‘I can’t think who would be stupid enough to try such a thing. It’s sick!’
‘They probably think it’s funny.’
‘Well, I don’t. Come on, I brought Sam’s car down for you so you don’t have to walk.’
Lily was mortified. She could manage the fifteen-minute walk to Hell Bay House. People would think she was a real diva, expecting to be chauffeur-driven such a short distance.
‘That’s very kind but, honestly, I wasn’t hurt. Whoever it was rushed away pretty fast when they saw me.’
‘Well, you jump in the car anyway,’ Elspeth said, walking with her to the Land Rover. ‘We’ll drive down there together.’
Sam joined them. ‘I’ll be along in a bit. I need to have a word with Aaron about the electrician,’ he said.
Elspeth drove, insisting Lily sit in the back, like royalty. Minutes later, she was walking into Hell Bay House. She couldn’t help but wonder if Rhiannon had stayed or even lived here with Sam before she’d left. Lily still only knew the barest details: that Rhiannon had departed suddenly, with no explanation that Lily could fathom.
Elspeth walked into the house, calling, ‘Morven! Are you here?’
Oh, God, Morven. Lily had forgotten she’d be invading the girl’s home as well as Sam’s.
‘I’m in here,’ Morven called. ‘Working.’
Elspeth marched into the lounge, with Lily dragging her feet behind. ‘We have a guest tonight. Lily’s staying over …’
Morven sprang up from the sofa, her iPad slipping onto the rug.
‘Why’s she staying here?’ The girl stared at Lily as if she’d landed from Mars.
‘Sam invited Lily,’ Elspeth said angrily. ‘She’s had a bad experience on Stark.’
Morven retrieved her iPad and wrinkled her nose as if she’d found a large spider on the carpet. ‘What kind of bad experience?’
‘Someone’s been leaving messages and hanging around Tean Porth,’ Lily said.
Elspeth faced up to her great-niece. ‘You wouldn’t know anything about it, would you?’
Morven scoffed, ‘Why would I know anything about it? Why does everyone think I’m involved whenever shitty stuff happens?’
Grabbing her tablet, she dodged past Elspeth and skulked out of the French doors.
Elspeth closed her eyes in despair. ‘I am so sorry about that. She’s so awkward these days, neither of us know what to do with her.’
‘It must be tough with her dad away,’ Lily said, trying to summon up some empathy.
Elspeth sighed. ‘It’s awful for her. I wish I could get my hands on Nathan and show him the damage he’s doing to his daughter by keeping her in suspense all this time. Poor Sam is having to bear the brunt of it … Still, at least she’s said she doesn’t know anything about the mystery intruder, that’s something.’
Actually, thought Lily, Morven hadn’t answered the question at all.
Elspeth scraped up a smile. ‘Anyway, would you like to come upstairs and I’ll show you to your room? I’m sure Sam won’t be too long.’
Lily went up the stairs, feeling the polished oak banister under her palm. The house had triple windows on both elevations, letting in loads of light. Everywhere there were comfy sofas and cosy nooks, bookcases and prints.
‘It’s good of you to have me.’
‘Sam wouldn’t want you to feel uncomfortable. I wish I’d never mentioned disturbing the spirits. Although I’m certain the island holds echoes of its past residents, I don’t think they’d come back ’specially to stalk guests. I’m sure the figure you saw is just some prankster.’
Lily had to smile. ‘I don’t think it was a ghost and I’m not sure Mabel Teague would decide to leave a message in pebbles for me.’
‘I doubt poor Mabel could even read and write,’ Elspeth said as she opened the door of a room at the front of the house, above the lounge. ‘Here you go. It’s only a single, but it’s always ready for guests and the bathroom is right next door. Nate stayed here the last time he came back to see Morven.’
‘It’s lovely. Very welcoming,’ Lily said, feeling comforted by the sight of the white duvet, Lloyd Loom chair and pastel colour scheme. It was fresh but soothing. ‘What a pretty chair.’
‘I’m glad you like it. The chair was Sam’s grandmother’s. His parents left it here when they moved to the mainland. Morven painted it green – pistachio she calls it – and made the cushion.’
‘It’s beautiful,’ Lily said, admiring the tapestry cushion, though wondering if it might explode when she sat on it.
She put her bag on the rug beside the bed and crossed to the window. Her room must be right over the porch, giving a view of all the comings and goings – and Hell Bay itself, with Stark looming mysteriously over the channel. Was anyone on the island right now, flitting about the hearths and leaving messages on her terrace?
She almost shivered but instead said enthusiastically, ‘What a view. It makes a change to be looking over at Stark.’
Elspeth had joined her at the window. ‘Yes, it must.’
Evening sunlight glinted off the windows of the cottages and reception hub. ‘I can see all the cottages from here.’
‘You can. Sam says you’ve been helping to renovate them.’
Lily laughed. ‘Renovate makes it sound as if I’m bricklaying and roofing. Sam’s done ninety-nine percent of the work already. I’m just lending a hand with the finishing touches to Samphire and Starfish so he can open them to visitors.’
Elspeth sighed. ‘I’m glad he’s agreed to accept some help. I didn’t want him to re-open the island mainly because I’ve been worried he’s heading for a nervous breakdown. It’s such a lot of work and responsibility. I think he underestimated how much. And he puts so much pressure on himself.’
‘Perhaps that’s true, but he’s now fully aware of what’s involved, which is why he’s going to recruit some experienced staff,’ Lily said soothingly. ‘The chef from the St Agnes Bistro is interested since the owner retired. Sam’s already placed ads with the recruitment agencies for a housekeeper too.’
Elspeth patted Lily’s arm. ‘Thanks for helping him. He finds it hard to admit he needs it.’
‘I’m no expert at hospitality, and he was dead against me getting involved initially. I just can’t stop myself.’
‘You’re both as bad as each other, but he needed the support. I’d do more if I didn’t have the café.’ Elspeth’s green eyes searched Lily’s face. ‘He’ll miss you when you’re gone.’
Lily laughed. ‘I’ve only been here ten days.’
‘That’s long enough to miss someone. In more than one way.’
Feeling her cheeks glowing, Lily glanced away and fixed her eyes on her overnight bag. ‘Should I unpack then come down and help you start dinner?’
‘Oh, there’s no need for that. I can manage.’
‘It would be no trouble,’ Lily said firmly, determined that Elspeth wouldn’t have extra work to do on her account. ‘I’ve enjoyed cooking while I’ve been here. I don’t have time at home and, believe me, I need the practice. I’ve run right out of my go-to recipes and I could count them on one hand.’
Elspeth relented. ‘Well, if you’d really like to. I was going to make a one-pot chicken and asparagus thing. It’s my mother’s recipe but I make it as a traybake ’cos it sounds trendier. We serve it at the café on Sundays sometimes. You could add that to your list.’
‘Sounds great. I’ll go home and make it for my mum and dad. Amaze the lot of them … I don’t get home enough but I will make time from now on. That’s one of my post-retreat resolutions.’
Elspeth looked amused. ‘Well done, but don’t make too many, will you? Stick to a couple that really matter and just try your best. You don’t want to add not being the perfect chef or the perfect daughter to the list of things you can beat yourself up about, now do you?’
Lily felt a lump forming in her throat. Cara had always found time to visit their parents. Cara also found time to be a mum and to save the lives of other people’s children. Lily, however, was hellbent on sourcing the perfect bud vase for your hall or those handmade gin tumblers you’d been seeking forever …
‘No,’ she said, stricken with the guilt Elspeth was trying to assuage. ‘You’re right.’
Elspeth patted her arm. ‘Come on, let’s cobble together a not-perfect dinner and enjoy not being invited on Masterchef.’
Lily shook herself out of her mood. If she really wanted to change her life and honour Cara’s memory, wallowing in self-pity was not the way. Change should start now. She forced herself to enjoy the process even if she kept thinking that she should be cooking with her own mum – though her mother, Ailsa, was as big a fan of the ready-meal aisle as Lily herself.
Her parents led busy and fulfilling, yet fairly ordinary, lives. They’d always seemed very happy together, providing a loving home for Lily and Cara. There had been plenty of joy and happy times in the small Staffordshire market town they’d grown up in. It was a quiet place where nothing very exciting happened, but their modest home had always been full of laughter. Her parents had given Lily and Cara a stable upbringing and encouraged both their daughters to pursue their dreams, finding time to take them to their clubs, play games, console and celebrate with them.
Along the way, Lily had somehow lost sight of how precious time was – how precious they were.
That would all change, she decided, and was already looking forward to impressing her parents with her newfound culinary enthusiasm.
For now, while she chopped and fried, diced and measured, she shared Elspeth’s reminiscences of her younger days. It turned out that Sam had known her mother briefly – his great-aunt – when he was a young boy. Nate had too, and remembered her far better, being five years older.
Delicious aromas of onions and chicken filled the house by the time Sam returned.
‘Smells great,’ he said with a surprised look at Lily. ‘Can I help?’
‘We’ve done most of it now,’ Elspeth insisted. ‘Too many cooks and all that.’
‘I’ll lay the table, then. Where’s Morven?’
‘In her room, talking to her friends,’ Elspeth said. ‘Can you go up and tell her dinner will be ready in ten minutes?’
‘Yep. I’ll have a shower while I’m up there, so I’m fit for company after working on the cottages all day.’
Lily was dying to say ‘You look more than fit to me’, but kept her mouth firmly shut, and contented herself with innocently rinsing purple sprouting broccoli in the Belfast sink. The thought of him stripping off his shorts and T-shirt and stepping into a steamy shower was enough to send her temperature soaring.
‘I’ll give Morven notice now and check on her again after my shower,’ he said. ‘See you in ten.’
Lily had forgotten what hard work it was making sure all the elements of a meal for four were ready at the right time and served up hot. She’d also whipped up a hasty Eton Mess made with strawberries from Elspeth’s garden and some meringues left over from the café service.
‘The bakery makes them ’specially for us,’ Elspeth had said, handing over a paper bag. ‘There’s some cream in the fridge. Give it a quick whip and squish it all together. You can add a drop of the blackberry cordial on that shelf if you like. I made it last summer.’
With the Mess suitably squished and chilling in the fridge, Sam came downstairs with wet hair and his clean T-shirt sticking to his still-damp chest.
‘Morven will be on her way any minute,’ he muttered, giving the impression that she’d been as difficult to shift as chewing gum from a pavement.
