‘I know, but what I didn’t realise was that he actually lived there – it was his family home. That’s why he’s buried at Heartcross Church; he was part of the community. So why hasn’t that ever been mentioned before?’
Isla slid a mug of tea over towards Florrie. ‘I’m not sure. You would have thought that would have come up in conversation sometime in the past couple of weeks, with all the news about your fight for the grounds and the van.’
‘Exactly!’ Florrie agreed.
‘Would Gran know? Dolores certainly would. She’s got twenty years on everyone in this village. Maybe she forgot? Or just thought it wasn’t important or worth mentioning?’
‘Maybe. Something I did discover was a photo of Aunt Ada and William when he was a patient at the hospital, just after suffering his heart attack.’
‘We know that they all knew each other but we still don’t know the history between Dolores and Edward, or what the serious falling out that Gran mentioned, between Dolores, Ada and Edward, was about.’
‘There’s only three people who knew that, and one of them has passed away. Do you think I should ask Dolores about it?’
Isla shook her head. ‘It’s between them and in the past. I think just focus on the here and now.’
It didn’t sit right with Florrie to just leave it alone, but she understood Isla’s point.
‘And what went on with Tom?’ Isla probed.
Florrie filled Isla in on what had happened last night. ‘He swears blind he didn’t know anything and… Damn. I’ve only just realised he walked off with the letters that were sent to me from W. Houston Property Developers.’
‘So, what are you thinking? Was his asking you to trust him just a means of shutting you up so the planning approval goes through?’
‘I don’t know what to think. Changing the subject for now, did you see that Dolores is gracing the front page today?’
Isla rolled her eyes playfully. ‘I assume you mean the article that suggests she’s hiring out a whole island to celebrate her big birthday?’
Florrie nodded.
‘Yes, I saw it. Did you also happen to see the article about a young man sneaking in and out of her flat?’
‘What?’ Florrie raised her eyebrows in shock.
‘According to one tabloid, Dolores has a mystery toy boy who’s keeping her young at heart.’
‘Are you kidding me? Why on earth would anyone think that? She’s ninety-nine.’
‘It’s laughable, isn’t it? We all know Charlotte was the love of her life and Dolores has been broken-hearted since she passed away.’
‘Honestly! The stories they print these days are ludicrous.’
‘Itisridiculous but unfortunately some people believe every word. Apparently this man has been photographed entering the stairwell leading to her flat on a number of occasions.’
‘He might just be Hamish’s new tenant in one of the other flats. That seems more plausible,’ argued Florrie.
‘But that wouldn’t create a story.’
‘Do you have a copy of the newspaper you read it in?’
‘Drew’s taken it. He’s fishing with the boys. Since finding his old fishing rod they’ve been attempting to catch our tea up at the fishing pond in Primrose Park almost every day. They’ve not caught anything yet, which I’m secretly chuffed about as I’m not sure I fancy eating anything from that pond.’ Isla smiled. ‘By the way, you’re always more than welcome to stop by for tea. I know you used to eat with Ada most days.’
‘Thanks for the offer,’ Florrie gave a smile, ‘but…’
‘You really don’t need to make an excuse.’
They both laughed.
‘You can hang around for a bit though, can’t you?’ asked Isla.
