Page 36 of Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea

He nodded, already looking at the batteries he’d presumably come in to buy. Nope, he definitely hadn’t been flirting. Thank goodness.

Rosie swung her bag onto her shoulder and, after a brief wave to Nessa, she left Shelley’s as quickly as she could.

Liam was as good as his word and arrived at Driftwood House mid-afternoon. Rosie, still sorting through reams of her mother’s paperwork, heard the growl of an engine in the distance and went outside to watch his white van bounce up the cliff road. It threw up puffs of dust as it lurched in and out of potholes, leaving dark streaks on the paintwork.

Rosie waved as the vehicle got closer, still feeling awkward that Liam had been hounded into helping her. He seemed distracted and out of sorts when he got out of the van and stretched his long legs.

‘It’s a good job my van’s already clapped out ’cos that road’s pretty shocking,’ he said, following her into the house and dumping an armful of supplies in the sitting room. ‘If you want this house to take in paying guests, it’ll need to be sorted out.’

‘I’m sure the Eppings will fix it once they realise what a money-spinner this place could be. Anyway, whatever they finally decide – guesthouse or hotel – they’ll need a decent cliff road.’

‘I guess so.’ He turned slowly, taking in the room’s faded walls and the windows rattling in the breeze that had been whipping off the sea all afternoon. ‘At the risk of sounding a bit negative, there’s quite a lot that needs doing.’

‘There is, but I don’t have to do it all. If I can show that Driftwood House has loads of character and charm that will attract tourists, then the Eppings will step in and do the rest,’ said Rosie, with more confidence than she felt.

Liam shot her a straight look. ‘Hmm.’

‘I’m just giving the place a facelift. It won’t take long.’

Even Rosie didn’t believe that, so she wasn’t surprised when Liam raised an eyebrow. But he fetched in the rest of the paint and filler and brushes without a word and placed them on what was becoming a very large pile.

‘Thank you so much, Liam,’ said Rosie, wondering quite where to start with the facelift. It suddenly all seemed rather daunting.

‘That’s OK.’ His shoulders dropped and he smiled for the first time since he’d arrived. ‘I was already coming out this way.’ He ran a finger along flaking paint on the window sill. ‘Are you sure you can do all this on your own?’

‘Absolutely,’ said Rosie, brightly.

‘And you’re sure it’s worth the effort?’

‘Definitely.’ Rosie’s tone was less bright but she hoped he wouldn’t notice.

‘All right, then. I’d better leave you to it.’

Liam strode through the hall to the front door but hesitated on the doorstep. What was he doing? His head dropped and she heard him groan quietly before he turned to face her. ‘You’re never going to manage all of this on your own.’

‘I will. It’ll be fine.’

Liam shook his head. ‘No, you won’t. The farm’s busy but I can spare a couple of hours tomorrow morning to help you get started.’

‘God, no. You really don’t have to.’

The thought of being alone with Liam for any length of time made her stomach flutter with anxiety. But he waved away her objection.

‘I know I don’t have to, but I will.’

‘Please don’t be influenced by what Nessa said this morning.’

‘I’m not.’

‘Then why do you want to help? You obviously think this is a lost cause and a waste of time. Driftwood House doesn’t mean anything to you.’

‘But it does to you.’

He held her gaze, with his pale blue eyes, as light streamed in through the open front door and dust motes danced around him. The grandfather clock in the corner began to chime the hour.

‘Anyway’ – Liam gave her a cursory smile – ‘I need to get over to Selderfield so…’

‘Yes, of course.’