Page 27 of The Sunken Truth

Finally, he had something interesting to work on. Not to mention the ego boost of hearing the sergeant had so much faith in him.

Presumably, Sergeant Proctor knew him well enough to know he had no intention of investigating it alone.

Chapter Thirteen

Lily had just finished settingup the shop with Jessica when Glynis arrived.

She smiled at the rosy-cheeked octogenarian. “Every time I see you now, you look more like your old self.”

“It’s amazing how long it takes to recover from poisoning at my age,” she said, taking a seat at a table inside the door. “I’ll try to avoid getting ill again. It’s no fun. But you’re right, I’m feeling fit again. The weather helps too, I suppose. Puts a glow on my cheeks and makes it more appealing to be out and about.”

“I’m glad to see you looking so well,” Lily said. “Can I tempt you to an ice cream?”

“You can indeed. And do you have a few minutes to sit and chat?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll get the ice cream,” Jessica called from behind the counter. “What flavour would you like, Glynis?”

“You choose for me, love. But only a small scoop.”

“Coming up.”

Lily took the chair opposite Glynis. “I assume you want the latest gossip about the shipwreck?”

“Oh.” Her eyes sparked with surprise. “Go on then!”

“Wasn’t that what you wanted to talk about?” Lily caught the hesitation in Glynis’s features and released a sigh. “Maria’s back, isn’t she?”

“Yes. She arrived back yesterday.” Glynis leaned onto the table. “I feel like a terrible gossip.”

Lily shook her head. “I appreciate you letting me know.”

“I don’t mean now.Before.All the things I told you about Maria. It wasn’t my place. Especially as I don’t even know if the things I told you were true.” She leaned back in her seat when Jessica brought the ice cream.

Lily was grateful that Jessica moved away again immediately, leaving them to talk privately. “I won’t ever tell her what you said to me,” she insisted.

“Even so. I spoke out of turn.”

“It was helpful. And it sparked some memories for me, so I can speak to Maria without dropping you in it. I can question her about what I remember.”

“Is it to do with what I said about her having a relationship with a married man?” she asked. “Do you think he was connected to you?”

Lily nodded.

“Your dad?”

“Maybe,” Lily said, hating the thought of it and desperately wanting it to not be true.

“And you remember some of this?”

“I was the kid on the beach that you saw. I’m certain of it. I remember flying my kite, just like you said.”

“Are you sure the memory is real? Sometimes the mind can play tricks and create memories from something you’ve heard.”

“I don’t think that’s the case,” Lily said. “When I think about it, it feels as though I’m there.”

“With your dad?”