Page 46 of Death on the Rocks (Lily Larkin Mysteries #1)

Chapter Forty-Six

Lily stared up 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.”

“Didn’t you tell them I’m only here for a week?” Lily asked. “I have no interest in leasing a property.”

“I can definitely report that back after I’ve shown you around.”

“But I don’t need to look around. I’m getting on the ferry in half an hour.”

“We should be quick, then.” He pulled keys from his pocket and approached the door.

“ I’ll look around,” Kit said. “You can tell them I’ll lease it.”

“I’m only authorised to show Miss Larkin the property,” he said with a warning glance at Kit.

Mr Greaves held the door for her, but she stayed frozen in place.

“This is weird,” PC Grainger said in a tone that made it seem he was talking to himself. “Why would they offer the place to you when it’s been closed for so long?”

“It doesn’t make any sense at all,” she agreed, catching his eye and hoping for some kind of guidance.

His shrug felt encouraging. “I’ll wait here,” he said. “Shout if there’s a problem.”

Okay, so now she was even more hesitant to go inside, but she also felt a familiar pang of curiosity and knew she’d always wonder if she didn’t find out more.

“Just a quick look,” she said, brushing past Mr Greaves as she crossed the threshold.

The room she stepped into was small, with a counter at the back and a stack of stainless-steel tables and chairs at one side. A thick layer of dust covered every surface, and there were dubious-looking stains on the pale blue walls.

“The ice cream making equipment is in the back,” Mr Greaves said, and she followed him through to another room, where large metal machines lined the walls. “They’re made to last, so the owner is convinced they’ll still work.”

Lily shook her head, unable to fully register what he was saying while her mind conjured memories of tasting ice cream directly from the machines.

“The rent will be cheap,” Mr Greaves was saying. “To compensate for the work you’ll need to do to get things up and running again. It’s mostly cosmetic. There’s also a flat upstairs.” He pointed to a flight of stairs at the back corner of the room. “I can show you up there.”

“No,” she said fiercely, causing him to stop with one foot on the first step. “I don’t understand. You need to explain.”

“The owner’s main stipulation is that the building remains an ice cream shop.”

“They want me to restore it and open it again?” she asked, needing all the clarity she could get. “As an ice cream shop?”

“Yes.”

“And I could live in the flat upstairs?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” She screwed her face up. “Why would they offer that when I didn’t ask for it? It’s a weird offer to make to a complete stranger.”

Mr Greaves nodded his agreement.

“Are they a stranger?” she asked while her chest tightened with trepidation about the answer.

“I’m not at liberty to disclose the identity of the owner,” he said.

“If I’m going to lease the shop from them, surely at some point I’ll need to at least know their name. And I think I already know it. The owner’s name is Gail Greenway, right?”

“I’m not supposed to disclose their name. But that sounds as though you are interested in the offer.”

“No!” She shook her head vigorously. “I’m interested in knowing who owns the place and why on earth they’d offer to rent it to me.”

“If you were to take the offer, you’d need to get used to some secrecy. The owner is a very private person. You’ll only ever deal with me.”

“But that makes no sense. Why wouldn’t they want me to know who they are?”

“I can’t say.”

“There must be a reason.”

“I’m sure there is,” he said, retreating from the stairs when it became clear she wasn’t going up there.

“I have to go or I’ll miss the ferry,” she said, annoyed by the whole situation.

“That’s a no to the offer then?” he asked, not seeming to care either way.

“Of course it’s a no. In which world was it ever going to be anything else? This is the most bizarre thing that’s happened to me in a long time. Which is saying something, considering I spent the last week accidentally solving a murder.”

“I heard about that,” Mr Greaves said with a small twitch of his lips. “Maybe that’s why the owners offered you this place. Perhaps they thought you’d be a good addition to the island.”

“Don’t you even know their reasoning?”

“I only know what I need to know,” he said. “Which usually isn’t a lot.” While he crossed the shop floor, Lily stopped to look around one last time. As her eyes swept the room, they snagged on something on the counter and she moved instinctively towards it.

“What’s this?” she asked with a frown.

“What?” Mr Greaves asked with his hand on the door.

“There’s an envelope with my name on it.” Staring at the swirly writing sent her heart into overdrive.

“I’m no detective,” he said. “But I imagine it’s a letter for you. Open it and find out.”

“Did you put it here?” she asked, head snapping up.

“No. I don’t know anything about it.”

“Does the owner live on the island? Did they leave me this note?”

“As far as I’m aware, they don’t live here.” His brow crinkled as though he were also confused. “But nothing would really surprise me at this point.” He opened the door and Lily caught the sound of Kit firing questions at him before the door closed behind him.

Hesitantly, she picked up the envelope and slid her finger under the flap.

There was a single sheet of paper inside, folded in half.

Lily’s breath caught in her throat as she opened it. The words sent a chill rippling up and down her spine.

I hope you can finally find a home here.

They hadn’t signed their name, but had added three kisses.

Lily only tore her gaze from the page when the door eased open again.

“Everything okay?” PC Grainger asked.

Slowly, she shook her head. “It seems I still have a mystery to solve.”