Page 21 of Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea

‘I can’t.’

‘Because you need to get back to exotic, far-away Andalusia?’ Nessa really was being sarcastic now.

‘That, and the house is going to be demolished.’

‘You can’t knock down Driftwood House!’ Nessa sat up straight and squinted into the sun at Rosie. ‘That house has watched over Heaven’s Cove for ages. It’s like a local… sentinel, making sure that the village is safe.’

Rosie smiled at Nessa’s imagination. The thought of Driftwood House keeping a watchful eye on Heaven’s Cove and its inhabitants was strangely comforting. ‘You obviously haven’t heard Belinda’s latest rumour?’

‘I try not to listen to all the chatter that goes round Heaven’s Cove, seeing as I’m the subject of it often enough. So what’s the gossip grapevine saying now?’

‘The last thing I want is for Driftwood House to be knocked down but talk in the village is that Charles Epping does, and he’d like to build a hotel in its place.’

‘He can’t do that! Refuse to sell him the house and tell him to get stuffed.’

‘Sadly, I can’t do that.’

‘Why not? Someone else less horrible will buy the house, as a home or a business venture. It’s a bit dilapidated these days but its location is amazing.’

‘I can’t sell the house because it doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to Charles Epping and, thanks to Belinda, you’re probably the only person within a ten-mile radius who doesn’t know that.’

Nessa’s eyes opened wide. ‘I thought Driftwood House belonged to your mum.’

‘Yeah, me too. But it belongs to the Epping family and it goes back to them now she’s no longer here.’

‘Wow, that must have been a bombshell.’

‘Just a bit.’

‘Why didn’t she tell you?’

‘I have absolutely no idea… and Belinda and her village grapevine don’t know she didn’t tell me so please—’

‘My lips are sealed.’ Nessa drew an imaginary zipper across her mouth. ‘So what are you going to do about the Eppings’ outrageous plan?’

‘I’m not sure there’s much I can do. Much as I hate to admit it, their plan isn’t totally outrageous because the location is probably perfect for a hotel. I suggested to Mum years ago that she ought to turn Driftwood House into a guesthouse and take in paying customers.’

‘It would be amazing, with its sea views and gables and fireplaces. People go mad for that kind of retro stuff. What did your mum say?’

‘She told me we were lucky to live in such an amazing house and she didn’t want to share our little piece of heaven.’

‘Fair enough.’

‘But now her little piece of heaven is going to be destroyed.’

‘Really?’ Nessa put her hands on her hips. ‘Surely Raging Rosie isn’t going to give up without a fight?’

‘Raging what?’

‘Nothing.’ Nessa dipped her head, her cheeks flaring pink.

‘Is that what people call me?’

‘No, not really. It’s just how I thought of you at school. It doesn’t mean anything – just stupid kids’ stuff.’

Rosie wrinkled her nose in confusion. ‘But why “raging”? I was far too wimpy to ever argue with anyone.’

‘I don’t mean that sort of raging. It was more that you seemed at odds with everything – with school, with Heaven’s Cove and the rest of us. And you were full of energy and dreams. Anyway, we all had nicknames at school. I know mine – Loch Nessa Monster, wasn’t it?’