As he listened to Jude reeling off details of all the places Mrs Crocombe might have gone to with Bovis, favourite walks and scenic spots, and she told him about the dangers of rockfalls and floods around here, he listened hard. As they made their way further from the bookshop, he told himself this search party was the ideal opportunity to rehearse what it felt like to be out of Annie Luna’s presence. He’d have to get used to it soon enough.
Annie closed the door to the cafe, and swiped the white pen through Harri’s coffee special. She couldn’t run the bookshop, look after William – not that he knew he was being looked after –andmake fancy drinks.
She swept the floors, rang up sales, and generally – to all observers – had a calm day in her bookshop.
Harri had told her she looked like a swan, and that’s exactly how she felt. All grace and elegance above the surface, with two furiously paddling, frantic feet unseen underwater.
The effort of staying emotionally afloat was exhausting. It was made all the worse by Harri’s absence all day. She was worried about Mrs Crocombe and Bovis, of course, hoping they’d turn up soon, but secretly admitted to herself it was a shame to lose a day with her friend, no matter how important the reason that had taken him from her. She didn’t want to think too hard about how hers were not simple friendly feelings, but something much more pressing and jagged, so to distract herself, she told William all about her school library and he listened placidly as he pottered in the stacks, and the day passed far too quickly.
At four, when Annie was talking with William about closing up, Jowan appeared. He came alone and with a grave face. At first, Annie felt panicked to see him.
‘Something happened?’ she said, unsure if she was thinking of the safety of the missing pensioners, or of Harri.
Jowan asked her to join him outside.
The courtyard lights swayed on their criss-cross strands overhead as Jowan bid her step away from the shop door entirely.
‘What’s going on?’ she said, concern seeping deeper. ‘Have they been found?’
‘No, not a dickie bird,’ said Jowan. ‘That’s not why I came. I haven’t the heart to tell him yet, but Minty’s heard from Social Services. A flat is being made ready for William, sheltered accommodation. In Yelverton.’
‘Ah! Good! Is that close?’
Jowan shook his head. ‘Hour and a half drive, I’d say.’
‘Oh.’
‘But without any independent means, no savings, no home, no record of national insurance contributions, not even a pension, he’s considered homeless. He’s lucky to get this place, honestly, way this country’s been going.’
‘And nobody’s told him yet?’ Annie said, her heart sinking.
Another shake of Jowan’s head.
‘He’ll never see Clove Lore Castle again, will he?’ Annie said, before trying to find a bright side. ‘Maybe there’ll be a library there, or a bookshop. In Yelverton?’
‘Maybe. An’ who’ll take him there, I don’t know.’
Annie knew how these things went. She wrapped her arms around herself. ‘Only, Mr Sabine’s already become a part of bookshop life. He seems happy, which, you know, given what he’s gone through, is miraculous.’
Jowan agreed.
‘When does he have to leave?’ she asked.
‘Dunno yet. Social Services will send a car, take him and his belongings down-country. They’ll let us know when it’s time.’
‘Okay,’ she said, letting Jowan leave.
When she returned to the shop, William was settled in the armchair enjoying the fire.
‘Mr Sabine?’ she said, and he turned his head, a picture of placidity. She thought of him arriving that day last week, hungry and disorientated and, as it turned out, grieving.
‘Yes, Annwyl?’
‘I uh…’ She couldn’t tell him. William leaving Clove Lore was inevitable. Why hasten his sadness? ‘Would you care to join me for dinner? I’ll have something sent up from the Siren’s Tail? I’ll order for Harri too.’
‘That would be a very great pleasure.’
The search for Mrs Crocombe ended as the dark closed in. Harri arrived through the door moments before their meals arrived. He was chilled to the bone and glad of the fire, and the bottle of Madeira that Bella had sneaked in with their order. William’s day closed sitting by the fire with a full belly, surrounded by books, a blanket over his knees, and in undemanding, youthful company.
