Page 68 of A Letter to the Last House Before the Sea

‘My grandmother doesn’t want to sell the land. She’s told you that several times. And I most definitely am not your mate.’

‘She doesn’t want to sell, or you don’t?’

Corey’s voice rose. ‘What exactly are you implying?’

‘Nothing.’ Simon raised his hands in supplication. ‘I’m just enjoying a nice drink with Lettie and her sister and I don’t much appreciate being accosted in the pub.’

‘Just as my grandmother doesn’t appreciate being accosted in the village where she’s lived her whole life. So leave her alone.’

‘Whatever you say,’ said Simon, with a grin, which Lettie didn’t consider very wise in the circumstances.

With a final scowl, Corey swept out of the pub and the locals glared at Simon, Lettie and Daisy.

‘Who the hell was that?’ muttered Daisy out of the side of her mouth, while Simon took another sip of his lager, seemingly unflustered by the whole commotion.

‘That’s Corey, a local fisherman whose grandmother owns some land.’

‘Is that the fisherman you mentioned on the phone when… Gosh. It’s very Poldark around here, isn’t it?’

She gulped down her third vodka and lime in one go, as Simon sat back and smoothed down his pristine shirt.

‘I’m so sorry you had to see that, ladies. I think Mr Allford is rather concerned about his inheritance and has plans of his own for the land.’

‘Or perhaps he doesn’t like his grandmother being hassled when she’s already given you an answer,’ Lettie shot back at him.

Simon’s gaze was cold for a moment, then he smiled. ‘I see it all the time. People take a while to think about my proposal before they understand it’s the best way forward for them. They change their minds.’

‘I told you she wasn’t well in confidence.’

‘Sorry, Lettie.’ He leaned forward and started stroking the back of Lettie’s hand, before she yanked it away. ‘Don’t be cross with me. I didn’t mean to get you into trouble with the dour fisherman.’ He turned to Daisy. ‘What do you think? I’ve offered an old lady shedloads of cash for a piece of land she never uses.’

Daisy shot Lettie a nervous glance. ‘I’m not sure of the ins and outs of it all, but it sounds reasonable.’

‘Exactly. More than reasonable. But Mr Allford is proving an immovable object.’ Simon sighed. ‘Anyway, enough about my business deals. Let’s forget Corey Allford’s tantrums and continue with our very pleasant evening. I don’t know about you but I’m having a lovely time.’