Page 32 of Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea

‘Definitely, even at my advanced age.’ Robert laughed. ‘Look after yourself, Rosie, and give my best to your mother.’

‘Sorry,’ said Liam again, as his dad pulled the window shut, but Rosie waved away his concern.

‘It really doesn’t matter, and it was good to see your dad again.’

Liam smiled at her, gratefully. ‘So when does the painting, repairing and tidying start?’

‘As soon as I’ve sorted out a bit more of Mum’s paperwork, so I’d best get on. Thanks for the cabbages.’

‘You’re welcome.’

She gave him a small wave when she reached the gate and he watched her walk along the lane towards the village, her trainers shedding mud with every step.

Katrina was wrong, thought Liam, picking up his broom to finish sweeping the yard. Rosie Merchant wasn’t weird. She was quiet, and her determination to leave Heaven’s Cove made her unusual around here. But it turned out she was kind and thoughtful – and boy, was she brave. Not many villagers would have confronted Charles Epping in his own home. Liam felt bizarrely proud that she’d trusted him with the news of her deal over Driftwood House, but he still feared that her trust in Epping was misplaced. He’d never keep to his end of the bargain.

‘But it’s none of my business, is it,’ he told Billy, stroking under the dog’s chin, just where he liked it best. ‘She’ll find out her mistake soon enough, and then she’ll be gone.’