Page 16 of Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea

‘With a J. Why?’

‘I just wondered.’

Rosie took a good look at Jerry with a J. Tall, good-looking in a grizzled kind of way, eccentric dress sense, paint splodges on his arms that hinted at artistic talent – just her mother’s type. Might he be the mysterious J?

‘Were you at the funeral yesterday? I don’t remember seeing you but it was all a bit of a blur.’

‘That’s understandable. It’s such an emotional time. I was at the service, right at the back because the church was so packed. But I couldn’t go to the wake, I’m afraid, because I had to get back to work.’

‘That’s OK. Mum would have been touched you could make the service. Had you known each other long?’

‘A while. I live in Upper Selderfield but I’m often in Heaven’s Cove and your mum and I would meet up when we could.’

‘Were you close friends?’

‘Um…’ Jerry puffed air through his lips. ‘I guess we were quite close.’

‘So you knew her pretty well?’ Rosie knew she was asking too many questions, but couldn’t help herself.

‘I suppose I did,’ said Jerry, looking puzzled.

‘How did you first meet?’

‘I can’t remember exactly. I think it was at a literary talk at Selderfield Library. Your mum was a great fan of poetry.’

‘She was. Saffy always had her head in a book.’

‘Saffy?’

Jerry’s only reaction to Mum’s pet name was confusion. He looked totally bemused now actually, probably because she was giving him the third degree. Rosie abandoned the subterfuge and got straight to the point: ‘I hope you don’t mind me asking but did you bring a lily and iris bouquet to the funeral?’

‘I didn’t. Should I have? I didn’t bring flowers at all. I gave a donation in your mum’s memory to a literacy charity instead.’

‘Oh, that’s really nice.’

‘I thought Sofia would approve.’

‘She would. That’s just the sort of thing she’d like.’

When tears sprang into Rosie’s eyes, Jerry put his big paw of a hand on her arm and squeezed. ‘Are you sure you’re all right? Losing a parent is so hard.’

‘I’m coping, but thank you.’

‘Good.’ He smiled. ‘I assume you’ll be leaving Heaven’s Cove soon, what with Driftwood House not being in the family any more.’

‘You heard about that?’

‘I did, in the pub last night. I didn’t realise the house belonged to the Eppings. That was a surprise, and they never miss a trick to make money, but building a hotel is a new one, even for them. I guess the cliffs are an ideal spot, thanks to that amazing view, and as they say, it’s all about location, location, location.’

Rosie frowned. ‘Do you mean they’re planning to build a hotel near Driftwood House?’

‘Ah, you haven’t heard that bit.’ Jerry started shifting from foot to foot. ‘Perhaps. I don’t know for sure and it would be a shame if the house…’ He stopped and shrugged. ‘Who can tell what a man like Charles Epping has in mind?’

The truth of it suddenly hit Rosie like a sledgehammer. ‘Does he want to build a hotel actually where the house is? Is that why he’s so keen to get Driftwood House back? He intends to knock it down and put a hotel in its place?’

‘Maybe. That’s what people are saying. Look, I shouldn’t have mentioned anything. It’s only a rumour.’

‘Who did you hear it from?’