Page 65 of A Letter to the Last House Before the Sea

‘—and we share everything. I don’t like to boast but our marriage is practically perfect. We’re soulmates.’

‘That’s wonderful!’ Lettie noticed Rosie’s smile looked rather forced.

A blast of heat radiated through the kitchen when Rosie opened the Aga and popped the tins inside. She wiped her hands on her apron. ‘Can I make you both a cup of tea?’

‘I thought you’d never ask,’ said Daisy, sinking onto a kitchen chair as though she’d been at Driftwood House for days.

Two cups of tea later and Daisy was revived. She’d talked non-stop about her perfect family and had started regaling Rosie with tales of her life coaching brilliance when Rosie glanced at the clock on the wall. It was fast approaching six thirty.

‘Sorry to interrupt, Daisy, but I was just thinking that you both might like to head to The Smugglers Haunt for something to eat. If you get there before around seven-ish you’ll get the pick of the best fish.’

‘The Smugglers what?’ asked Daisy, her teacup halfway to her mouth.

‘Haunt,’ said Lettie. ‘It’s a pub in the village, and that’s a very good idea, Rosie. Do you need to change first, Daisy?’

‘I suppose I could change my top.’

Rosie gave Lettie a grateful smile as they left the kitchen and headed for Daisy’s bedroom.

Daisy’s room was on the first floor. It was smaller than the attic room, but still warm and cosy, with walls painted cream, a double bed with a pale blue duvet, a small wardrobe in the corner and more paintings of Dartmoor on the walls.

Daisy looked around and nodded. ‘It’s rather nice up here. I thought Driftwood House would be a bit chintzy and naff, but it’s been done up very nicely.’ She turned to face Lettie. ‘What kind of pub is The Smugglers Haunt?’

‘It’s a lovely old village pub. Very historic.’

‘Right up your street then.’ Daisy opened her suitcase – which was crammed, Lettie noticed – and pulled out a blue top with batwing sleeves. ‘I daresay this’ll do. I don’t need anything too fancy for a village local.’ She slipped off her T-shirt and into the cleaner top. ‘Come on, then. Heaven’s Cove, here I come!’