She stared at her feet.
‘He may have accidentally just tripped over the point of my shoe,’ she said.
‘Accidentally? How? What were you even doing in such close proximity? Haven’t we talked about this? You are putting yourself, putting us, at risk.’
‘Oh, Isaac, he had no idea that I was there and neither did Jules. She doesn’t pose any danger for she is not a believer, and the lovely potter is rather in awe of her, I think, so was not receptive to any other presence than hers.’
‘But he could have really hurt himself.’
She cast him a disparaging glance.
‘Isaac, you were always banging your head on that door lintel and it did no great harm. Besides, if I’d thought he was going to hit it too hard I would have made an effort to pull him back.’
Isaac paced up and down.
‘I really do think that we should be making a move, Eliza. Now the cottage is to be occupied by a collection of different people, I think it will be too disquieting for us to remain.’
He looked around.
‘With all of the comings and goings there will come a time when we will feel that this is no longer our home.’
‘No!’
He looked startled by the vehemence of her response.
‘Please do not say such a thing. It will always be our home, Isaac, even when we’re no longer here.’
He took hold of her hands.
‘Maybe, my dearest, maybe it is time for us to make a new home.’
‘I need to stay a little longer, Isaac.’
‘How much longer?’
‘I wish to remain while our latest guest is here. Can you grant me that?’
Isaac sighed.
Of course he could. He could grant her anything and she knew it.
THIRTEEN
Jules was wandering around the gift shop in Yarmouth when she had the distinct feeling that someone was watching her. She skirted a rail of Indian print blouses and peered out of the two large glass windows on to the street. Across the road she could see Carrie heading into the antiques shop and a few locals standing in groups and chatting. She bought a birthday card and headed over to the deli to look for some nice chocolates or a jar of local honey.
‘Shall we browse around some of the little galleries?’ Carrie asked, popping her head over the top of a stand full of local bread. ‘Sorry, did I make you jump?’
Jules had one hand against her breastbone. She glanced back towards the door.
‘You’ll think this is really stupid, but I’ve got the feeling that I’m being followed.’
Carrie looked around.
‘There isn’t anyone in here except us. Maybe it’s the ghosts from the cottage.’
‘Now you’re being ridiculous.’
They wandered in and out of the shops and sat on a bench with an ice cream overlooking the Solent.
