‘Yes please!’ accepted Bea, full of enthusiasm.
‘This way.’
They both followed Roman to the front of the boat and Bea asked, ‘Do you know who the most knowledgeable person in the village is?’
‘Is that code for the nosiest?’
‘Possibly,’ admitted Bea, laughing.
‘There’s Hamish, who owns the village shop, which is opposite the pub. His mum Dolores lives above the shop in the flat – she must be near a century old and would certainly know a thing or two.’
‘Dolores Henderson, the world-famous singer?’ asked Bea.
‘The very one. Or there’s Rona at the teashop; her mum Bonnie owned the shop before her and they’ve been in the village all their lives. Bonnie has passed away now but I’m sure Rona is full of information. There’s also Aggie, Fergus’s mum, he works up at Foxglove Farm with Drew… Oh, but the best person has got to be Martha. What Martha doesn’t know isn’t worth knowing.’
Why hadn’t Bea thought of that?
‘Why do you ask?’
Bea looked towards Nolan. It wasn’t her story to tell and maybe Nolan didn’t want everyone knowing his business.
‘You both look very cloak-and-dagger,’ observed Roman.
‘I’m trying to track down my grandfather’s…’ Nolan thought for a second. ‘I’m not even sure what to call her. My grandfather’s girlfriend for the summer, many moons ago.’
‘This sounds intriguing,’ said Roman, repositioning his cap on his head. ‘Was it his childhood sweetheart?’
‘I think it was someone my grandfather never got over. After he passed, I found a letter addressed to her – it just says “Patsy”, no surname, but possibly begins with the letter G. I’m trying to trace whether she’s still alive. I’m hoping so as I’d really like the letter to be delivered.’
‘And wouldn’t that be truly romantic. I would check with Martha, Rona and Aggie. I’m sure if anyone knows anything about anyone, they will be the best ones to ask. And where are you off to now?’
‘We’ve discovered an old address for her so we’re headed to Glensheil to see if that leads us anywhere.’
‘Do let me know!’ Roman gestured to the seats just behind the wheel. ‘Thankfully the waters aren’t choppy today but the weather is going to change at the end of the week for a couple of days. You’ll find that business will slow right down at The Little Blue Boathouse,’ he said to Bea as she and Nolan took their seats. ‘Shall I drop you over at the lighthouse round the corner? Are you wanting the centre of town?’
‘I’ve already Google Mapped it. It’s not far from a market area, looks like quite near the centre,’ confirmed Bea, leaning in towards Nolan. ‘Who’s making the better detective now? Thinking ahead I was.’ She gave him a knowing look, leaving Nolan looking bemused.
Roman started the engine and Bea and Nolan sat back and watched the view sail past. No wonder Nolan liked living on The Hemingway; everything looked picture perfect from the water. With sweeping bays and sand dunes, gulls hovering over the white cliffs, there was something therapeutic about watching the waves as the boat glided through the water.
‘This part sometimes gets a little choppy,’ confided Roman, just as Bea was jolted to the right, her hand landing directly on Nolan’s thigh.
‘Are you okay? You’ve gone a little pale,’ he observed.
‘Absolutely fine,’ she replied, not daring to admit she suddenly felt queasy. As her stomach churned some more, she tried to concentrate on the breeze whipping through her hair.
‘Take deep breaths and focus on the horizon line,’ whispered Nolan. ‘It always helps.’
Bea stared at the sterling blue river lapping against the rocky shoreline of colourful stones.
‘Here we go, the first stop, the lighthouse.’ Roman pulled on a lever that slowed the boat and guided it towards the wooden jetty, where it bobbed in the water until he turned off the engine. He jumped onto the dock and tied up the boat securely before pulling the gangplank forward. ‘Good luck with your quest,’ he said as Bea and Nolan stepped off the boat.
‘We’ll let you know how it goes!’ replied Bea.
As soon as she was back on solid ground, Bea began to feel better. She snagged a glance at Nolan, who grinned straight at her.
‘Why are you looking at me like that?’
‘Because I’ve never seen anyone turn green so quickly before. Thank God you’re selling boat trips because I don’t think you would last long sailing the boats.’
