Page 73 of Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea

‘I was worried about you so I decided to ditch work and jump on a plane. Juan said he and Carmen can manage until we get back. This place really is in the middle of nowhere, isn’t it? It took me ages to get here from the airport, and then a strange woman called Linda or something noticed my suitcase and started chatting to me. She said she knew you and she’d seen you heading this way. So I took a chance and spotted you on the beach. Both of you.’

‘I went for a walk and bumped into Liam – he runs a farm nearby.’

‘So, you’re a farmer, are you, Liam?’

‘Uh-huh.’ Every time Matt said his name, it put Liam’s teeth on edge.

Matt pushed a hand through his short, brown hair and smiled, his teeth as dazzling white as a toothpaste ad. ‘You have my gratitude. The world needs more farmers. Farmers rock, though I could never do it – be stuck in one place, year in, year out. I need more adventure in my life. That’s why Rosie and I gelled so quickly and became soulmates. We’re made for each other, aren’t we, babe?’

Was Liam mistaken or did Rosie wince slightly?

She hooked her arm through Matt’s. ‘Come on, I’d better get you home to Driftwood House so you can unpack. I still can’t believe you’re here. Liam, thanks for the walk and I’ll see you again sometime.’

‘Sure. You get your boyfriend settled in and Billy and I will finish our walk.’

‘Good to meet you, Liam.’

He clearly didn’t mean it and Liam felt himself bristle. ‘Yeah, you too.’

Matt picked up his shiny black suitcase and hooked his other arm around Rosie’s waist. Together, the two of them walked off across the sand.

‘Well, Billy, what do you think of Matt, then?’ Liam bent down and pushed his fingers through the dog’s matted fur. ‘What’s that you say?Matt seems like a total dick?Yeah, that was my first impression too.’