Page 78 of A Letter to the Last House Before the Sea

‘What about talking on the phone?’

‘I’m afraid not. She doesn’t want any contact right now. I think she’s frightened of re-opening old wounds.’

‘And there was no changing her mind?’

‘No, I’m so sorry.’

Claude looked out of the window for a few moments, at the tourists walking by and the boats coming into harbour. Then he shook his head. ‘What have you got to be sorry about? You found Esther for me and now I know she’s all right. That’s the main thing I wanted, and I’m very grateful to you.’ He was trying to be so brave, it brought a lump to Lettie’s throat. ‘Well, I won’t keep you,’ he said, getting to his feet. ‘I’m sure you’ve got lots to do.’

Lettie followed him into the narrow hallway but he paused with his hand on the door latch. ‘How far away is Esther living?’ he asked.

‘She’s about twenty miles or so from here.’

‘That’s not so far, is it?’ said Claude, opening the door and stepping back so Lettie could get by him. ‘So I shall know she’s close by whenever I look at her picture.’

Lettie nodded, unable to speak. But she grasped Claude’s hand and gave it a squeeze as she walked out into the afternoon. Once the door had closed behind her, Lettie cried all the way back to the car.