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“Sounds nice,” Lily remarked. “Is Katie okay?”
He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “She’s freaking out about everything, but I think a change of scene will help. I hope so, anyway.” He smiled sadly. “I hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday.”
“Thank you.” While Lily watched him leave, her mind slipped back into overdrive.
Katie had been through a lot in the last few weeks, so it was natural that she wanted to get away.
That’s what Lily told herself as she ascended the stairs and walked into her room. There was probably no other reason for her sudden desire to leave the island. She was a victim of Vinny’s despicable behaviour, nothing more.
Lily was leaving the detective work to the police now, so she didn’t need to consider the possibility that Katie was trying to outrun her guilt over killing a guy.
A wave of exhaustion hit her as she sat on the bed with her laptop on her knees. What was she doing? Why couldn’t she shut her brain off and relax?
With zero enthusiasm, she typed ‘Gail Greenway’ into the search bar, then narrowed the search to include ‘Isles of Scilly’ and ‘ice cream shop’ when faced with too many results.
She was closer than she’d ever been to solving the mystery of the photo she’d found in her uncle’s possessions, and had never felt less enthusiasm about the subject.
An old article talked about the opening of the ice cream shop, highlighting the fact that the ice cream was homemade on the premises. There was even a photo of the ice cream machines being unloaded from the ship.
A smaller photo showed Gail smiling into the camera. Lily squinted at it but the image wasn’t exactly crisp. She thought maybe she recognised the features of the cheery-looking woman, but perhaps it was only that she wanted to recognise her.
Another article reported on the fire at the ice cream shop, including a photo of flames lapping out of the front window of the shop. Quotes from residents expressed sympathy and support for the owner, along with promises to help renovate the shop.
The warmth expressed towards the owner reminded Lily of Mr Greaves’ remark that she could be imagining a connection because of the friendliness of the owner.
Since she couldn’t find anything current about the owner, it felt like a dead end.
Which was perhaps exactly what Lily needed. As long as there was a lead to follow, she wouldn’t be able to help herself, but without an obvious next step she might finally be able to put it behind her.
Besides, she was beginning to feel she’d been moving in the wrong direction all along.
She’d been chasing the past when she should have been building a future.
Chapter Thirty-Five
THURSDAY
Once again,Lily skipped Mrs Miller’s breakfast. She’d woken with no appetite and felt utterly flat. The temptation to remain in the bed's warmth was hard to resist, but she forced herself up. Movement would make her feel better. Or so she hoped.
With the house filled with the bustle of everyone getting ready to leave, she ventured out for fresh air. Crossing the quiet lane, she looked out over the beach. Bathed in sunshine, the stretch of sand was bright white and the water beyond glimmered gloriously.
Even the stunning view did nothing to stir Lily’s mood, or lift the tiredness she felt deep in her bones. Every night she seemed to sleep worse and worse, and she knew that the lack of rest was affecting her ability to think straight. Perhaps that was why she kept getting swept up in her wild goose chases.
On the path that hugged the top of the beach, she made her way up the steady incline until she reached the clifftop. Cautiously, she made her way towards the edge, stopping beforeshe got too close. Even with a few metres between her and the ledge she felt a queasiness at the thought of falling. It was hard to imagine anyone wanting to get any closer.
Vinny must have done, though. She took another tiny step, imagining him in his last moments.
He’d been here. Right where she was. Another few steps and his life had been snuffed out. Just like that. Her heart beat faster as she took another step and then one more. Her head spun and every instinct told her to retreat as she jutted out her chin, then stretched her spine to peer over the edge.
In her mind’s eye, she imagined him taking one last step. Just one misstep and it was all over. He’d have dropped straight down the bare rock face.
Lily’s brain even conjured the thud of a body hitting the rocks after the short plummet.
With a quick intake of breath, she stumbled backwards and out of harm’s way. But her heart wouldn’t settle and her mind was reeling. She let out a curse and the sound of her own voice seemed to startle her into action.
Something didn’t make sense.
She wasn’t sure, though. She needed to check from a different angle. Her legs had already burst into a jog.