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“Hi,” Lily replied.
“Feel like joining me?”
When he tipped his head at the chairs beside him, Lily ignored the sinking feeling at the thought that her time alone with PC Grainger was now at an end.
“Thanks.” She took a seat while Flynn went to get them coffees. When he returned, it was with a plate of cookies, too.
“You’ll have to come back again sometime,” Kit said. “Preferably when the weather is better. You didn’t get to see much, did you?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t see any of the other islands.”
PC Grainger dunked a chocolate chip cookie through the foam of his coffee and took a large bite. “It’s a strange thing when you’re too busy tracking a killer to do any sightseeing.”
“It’s been a surreal week,” she said.
“Do you think youwillcome back?” Kit asked.
“I don’t know.” Her instinct was to say no. Realistically, she didn’t think she’d return. Maybe that was because, in all her travels, she’d rarely returned to the same place once she’d left.
The difference now was that she felt an overwhelming longing to return. It had only been a week, but there wassomething about this island, and the people she’d met, that made her want to come back.
A loud knock on the window broke her thoughts and had her head snapping up. The scrunched-up face at the glass was familiar, but it took a moment for her brain to catch up and remind her how she knew him. By that time, he was already inside and looming over her.
“I tried calling you.” Mr Greaves looked every bit the solicitor with his immaculate suit and a folder resting in the crook of his arm.
“I don’t answer if I don’t know the number.”
“Kind of pointless to give me your number then, really,” he huffed, looking slightly out of breath. “Anyway, I need to speak to you about the ice cream shop…”
Chapter Forty-Six
Lily staredup at Mr Greaves while her mind whirred with scenarios of why he suddenly wanted to talk to her about the shop.
“The owner doesn’t want to sell,” he told her. “But they’re happy to lease it to you.”
She definitely hadn’t been expecting that, and her brain struggled to digest the information.
“What?” Kit asked, stealing the word from the tip of her tongue.
“I don’t want to buy it, or lease it.” Lily wondered what she’d said to give him that impression. “I was only interested in the history of it. I wanted to know who owned it.”
“The owner isn’t interested in making new friends, but they are quite keen for you to lease it… with certain stipulations.”
“Wait,” Kit spluttered. “I’m confused. I’ve been interested in the business for ages. If they don’t want to sell, I’d gladly rent the building.”
“It’s not available to you,” Mr Greaves said dismissively before switching his attention back to Lily. “I can show it to you now,” he said, then headed back out of the door without waiting for a response.
Not bothering about her suitcase, Lily jumped to her feet and followed Mr Greaves outside.
“I don’t understand,” she said, hurrying after him as he strode towards the ice cream shop. “What did you say to the owner to make them think I wanted to rent the place?”
“Nothing. But I’m supposed to keep them informed about anything to do with the shop. If anyone asks about it, I’m supposed to let them know.” He stopped in front of the building. Given the peeling paint and the cracked window pane on the front door, Lily was surprised the owners cared enough to want to be kept informed. “After you came to my office, I got in touch with the owner. They didn’t have much to say about it until yesterday evening, when I received an email outlining an offer I was to propose to you.”
Kit appeared at Lily’s side while PC Grainger loomed just behind her.
“What kind of offer?” Kit asked.
“About leasing the shop,” Mr Greaves said. “Though I’m not sure why you think it’s anything to do with you.”