Page 77 of The Secret of Drulea Cottage

You’re an adult now, and I know that you’re fully capable of making your own choices. There’s one more thing I wish to tell you, one more secret of Drulea Cottage: hidden beneath the boards that your bed rests on, your sealskin awaits you. Take it and decide what kind of life you truly want.

All my love,

Mum

Little rivers appeared on Briony’s cheeks as she sat with the letter clenched in her hand. She said nothing for several minutes, even when Mr. McLaren gently urged her up the road and to his home so that she could absorb everything without prying eyes. The letter had, indeed, given her answers, but they weren’t what she’d been expecting.

All the lies throughout the years. All those times when I felt so different and Mum just assured me I was special… Now I know the truth. My other home is the sea. ’Twas always the sea!

It was so much to take in, but despite how overwhelming it was, Briony felt a strange peace. She could finally make sense of her origins as well as everything that had transpired in the last few weeks.

Well, everything to do with my past and Niall. Everything related to Santiago is still a mystery.

“Here,” Mr. McLaren offered.

Briony silently took the glass and swallowed the water within, only then noticing how thirsty she was. She took a few moments to truly observe her surroundings; she’d never been in the man’s home before.

It was really more of a shack than a house. What wasn’t falling apart was still covered in dust and spiderwebs to the point that the cleanliness of Briony’s glass seemed out of place. Many of the townsfolk had tried to get Mr. McLaren to fix it up several times because the outside was such an eyesore, but the fisherman seemed fully content with everything just as it was.

Mr. McLaren said nothing, but she could tell he was fully aware of her scrutiny.

She coughed in embarrassment. “Did you ever meethim…my—”

“Yer father? Aye, I did.” Mr. McLaren’s voice was still remorseful as he pulled up a chair and sat down.

“What was he like?”

“He was…” Vincent McLaren looked away for a moment before turning back with a firm expression. “Look, lass, do you want the truth or do you want something kind?”

“I thought I made it clear the truth is what I want.No matter what it may be.”

The fisherman sighed with resignation. “All right. The truth is, yer father was never good enough fer yer mum. He played the part o’ the lovesick fool quite well, but I could see ’twas all an act. I tried to tell yer mother the same, that something was na right about him, but at that point, she would na listen. The selkie charm was too strong. ’Twas only after she was pregnant and he threatened to take you away that she realized he’d never truly loved her. After he left, she told me what he was and that she needed my help to protect you. I… I’m so sorry fer what I did.”

Briony’s heart swelled with sympathy as she took in the filthy, big-eared, almost toothless fisherman.This man was a true friend to my mum. And na only that, but he also kept me from being stolen away as a bairn.

“I owe you an apology too,” Briony said as she gave Vincent McLaren a sad smile.

The fisherman shook his head, brushing aside her words. “Nay, I should have given you the letter sooner. You deserved to know. I just…” He looked away, a hand on his neck.

“‘Twas the only thing left that I could do fer yer mother. She wished that somehow you’d never have to find out.” The man’s Adam’s apple bobbed with a thick swallow.

And that was when Briony realized something else. “You were in love with her.”

Mr. McLaren’s head spun back to her so quickly it looked painful. A blush erupted across his cheeks, but his eyes were steady as they met hers. “Aye, that I was. Always will be too. She never felt the same, so I never told her. She had enough things to worry about.”

A touch of mirth appeared in Briony’s eyes. “And I know something else too.”

“What’s that?”

“Yer na mad.”

As if to contest her statement, a huge, almost disturbing smile took over the man’s face. “Hmm, perhaps. I’ll never tell though.”

The smile dropped suddenly, only to be replaced by a strong frown. “So what now, lass? I take it you know you can trust me now. That Niall Moreland, I don’ believe he has good intentions. Has he said anything about why he came to Everton? Did he mention the past?”

“Aye, he did. He was there the day my da’ died with his parents. They must have been the other two seals on the beach! The ones that got away!”

“Then he seeks revenge fer what happened. But why would he show up now?”