‘You do know what this means though, don’t you?’
‘That they liked classics?’
Verity rolled her eyes. ‘This confirms they knew each other. I’m convinced W is your grandfather! He has to be; it all fits. I wonder how long my granny was here for. Did they have a relationship? Did they keep in touch after she left the island?’
Sam shook his head. ‘They didn’t.’
‘But you don’t know that.’
‘I do. The postcard was dated 1972, and this inscription mentions the summer they’ll never forget. If it was the same summer, my grandfather passed away at the end of it.’
‘That’s so sad.’ Verity stared at the book with her hand on her heart, suddenly feeling teary. ‘Do you think she knew?’
Sam shrugged. ‘Your guess is as good as mine.’
‘We know she was here for the summer so she must have given him the book before she went home.’
Sam nodded. ‘I do know that summer was the best of his life.’
‘I’d like to think that had something to do with my grandmother.’ She smiled.
‘That was the summer his music began to take off. Betty told me everything. The crowds of girls flocking to the pub when the band was playing. That was the summer they got offered the record deal and it was confirmed they would support Bowie…and then everything changed.’ Sam finished his tea and Verity realised it was because of Joe’s death that the band didn’t tour.
‘I’d love to have heard him play. I have all the songs that he’d written kept in that cupboard over there. He had a songbook where he used to scribble down lyrics and music.’
‘What a fantastic keepsake.’
‘I didn’t think much to their band name though.’ Sam chuckled. ‘The Men from Puffin Island.’
‘My granny loved music, too. She was an amazing singer but she didn’t seem to pass that gene on to me. Apparently she’d get up at any opportunity and belt out a song. I think we have our answer. I do think the postcard is from your grandfather.’ Verity smiled. ‘And I don’t know where my grandfather fits into all this but if Joe couldn’t live without her, I think they had a summer fling. She was a good catch, my granny, just like her granddaughter.’ She playfully nudged Sam’s arm and he gave her a heart-warming smile. ‘I’m glad it’s your grandfather, I think it’s so romantic. Maybe when I get home there will be a postcard waiting on the mat telling me you can’t live without me.’ Verity was teasing but secretly she really wanted to see his reaction.
Sam shook his head in jest. ‘I’ve no time for writing a postcard today, I have a meeting at one p.m., but I can make you some food before I go. I’m assuming you decided against catching the ferry today?’
Startled, Verity sat up straight. ‘I still haven’t messaged Ava! And I should be on the boat to Amsterdam right now.’
‘Yeah, you’ve long missed that ferry ride.’
Verity exhaled. ‘I’m not looking forward to this phone call. Ava isn’t going to be happy. I need to charge my phone.’ She disappeared into the other room, pulled out her phone and charger from her rucksack and plugged them in a socket at the side of the settee.
‘I’ll go and make you some food whilst you apologise and sort out your travel plans. Oh, and before I forget, there’s a pile of clothes here from Clemmie. I picked them up from the tearoom on my way home.’
‘Thank you, that’s so kind.’
Sam headed towards the kitchen with Jimmy hot on his heels. Verity looked at the screen of her phone, willing it to light up. As soon as a tiny bit of charge kicked in, it burst into life. From the continuous beep Verity could see there were at least nine missed calls from Ava and a voicemail. Damn. Her heart was racing as she checked her messages, her eyes closing as Ava’s voice sounded out.
‘I’ve tried to ring you umpteen times. Where are you? You shouldn’t be on the ferry just yet.’ Verity knew this message had probably been left hours ago when she was stranded on the causeway. Ava continued, ‘I know you’ve always thought I’m a bit of a flaky friend and I’m so sorry but I’m going to live up to that reputation. Please don’t kill me but I’m not on the ferry.’ There was a long pause and Verity knew that Ava was trying to work out how to soften the blow. ‘I applied for a job with a TV company, had the interview and never really thought much more of it. But I got the job and it starts in London on Monday. I’m so sorry, Verity, but it’s an opportunity I can’t give up. You can still go to Amsterdam without me though! You can do this by yourself. Ring me when you get a minute.’
Verity put the phone down with a huge smile on her face. She blew out a breath as Sam walked back into the room holding a tray. ‘She didn’t kill you then?’
‘I’ve not actually spoken to her yet.’
‘Verity!’
‘No, it’s okay, she’s left me a voicemail. Ava’s not on the ferry. She’s not going to Amsterdam. She’s been offered a job in London and is starting on Monday, but she’s insisting I still go and find myself. She thinks it’ll be good for me.’
‘And what do you think about that?’
Her smile grew wider. ‘I’m secretly chuffed. I wanted to spend more time on the island and this gives me the perfect opportunity.’
