Page 43 of Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea

‘Ah. How long have you two been together?’

‘A few months. He joined the property agency I work for, though he’s got ambitions to set up one of his own. He sees himself as an entrepreneur.’

‘That’s nice. He didn’t sound Spanish.’

Damn, that gave away that he’d been listening in to the call, but Rosie didn’t seem to notice.

‘Matt’s not Spanish. He comes from London, St John’s Wood, but he’s lived abroad like me for a few years.’

‘It’s a shame he couldn’t come back with you for your mum’s funeral.’

Rosie’s face clouded over. ‘It’s pretty busy at work at the moment. I’ll see him when I get back.’

‘I take it he wasn’t best pleased with your extended stay?’

‘No. He can’t understand why I’m trying to save a house that’s probably doomed anyway. I sometimes ask myself the same question. It doesn’t make much sense.’

She pushed her painty hands through her hair, leaving a white streak across her fringe. Liam balanced his brush on the paint pot and leaned against the wide stone window sill.

‘Things don’t always make sense when you’ve had a big shock. People don’t always behave logically when strong emotions, like grief, are involved.’

‘What about anger?’

‘Yep.’

‘And guilt?’

Liam nodded. ‘That too.’

‘I feel so guilty, about everything,’ blurted Rosie, her bottom lip trembling.

‘Your mum wouldn’t blame you for not saving Driftwood House, you know.’

‘Logically I know you’re right, but I can’t shake the feeling that she’ll haunt me forever if this house, the home she loved, is destroyed by the Eppings. I’ll have visitations in the night.’

‘Lucky you.’

Though Rosie laughed briefly, she still seemed close to tears.

‘I didn’t see her as much as I should have,’ she said, stroking the wool of her borrowed cardi. ‘I couldn’t be bothered to come back to Heaven’s Cove. I thought this place was boring and a bit… beneath me.’

‘But I’m sure you were still close,’ answered Liam, starting to feel out of his depth as a tear trickled down Rosie’s cheek.

‘I’m beginning to think I didn’t know my mum very well at all. I keep finding out things about her. Secrets.’ She stopped and bit down hard on her lower lip.

‘What sort of secrets?’

‘Nothing really. Just the lease,’ said Rosie, though her glance at the bureau made Liam wonder if she was telling the truth. ‘I just wish I’d taken the time to know her better.’

‘I don’t think we ever really know anyone. I didn’t know Dee as well as I thought I did.’

Why on earth had he mentioned Dee? He never mentioned her these days and neither did his friends. It was as though she’d been expunged from his life.

‘What happened with the wedding?’ asked Rosie, quietly.

Liam stared through the window. Grey billows of cloud were casting patterns on dark water, and bright wild flowers were pushing through the grass. Everything was uncomplicated and beautiful. He brushed dust from his jeans and tried to keep his voice light. ‘I’m surprised you haven’t heard the whole sorry tale from Belinda or your mother.’

‘I try not to spend too much time with Belinda, and Mum gave up telling me stuff about Heaven’s Cove. She hated gossip, anyway. Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.’