‘Well, that makes sense, but I have to say, at this time of year it’ll be difficult to get a room at the hotel, and the B&B is usually booked up far in advance.’
‘Even if my van can’t go anywhere, once everything has dried out, I can still sleep in it, if Nathan can tow it to a safe spot for me. This was meant to be.’ Verity could already picture herself sleeping on top of the cliffs and waking up to the sunrise overlooking the puffins and the harbour. That type of adventure was more on her level than fighting for her life dodging the thousands of bicycles on the busy streets of Amsterdam.
‘There’s always a spare room here in the meantime, until you get yourself sorted – and I don’t mean the sofa in my office.’
‘That’s very kind of you. Thank you.’
‘And anyway, I’m invested now.’
‘Invested?’
‘I want to know more about our grandparents, but in the meantime’—he pointed to the tray— ‘sandwich, chocolate flapjack and crisps.’
‘That looks amazing.’
‘You can thank Beachcomber Bakery. I took the chance you’d still be here and grabbed it all on my way back. I always think a sandwich tastes better when it’s made by someone else. I’ve got to head out now to a meeting but feel free to stay here. Keep the key in case you want to go out.’ Sam called Jimmy and clipped on his lead. ‘Make yourself at home.’
Verity was still smiling as the front door shut behind them. She stood by the window and watched them walk down the lane. Not quite believing the turn of events in the last twenty-four hours, she looked up to the sky. A day of sunshine was not to be missed. She thought about last night as well, the same sky but dark with twinkling stars. When the shooting star whizzed across the night sky, she’d closed her eyes and made a wish, and that wish had just come true. She was staying on Puffin Island for a while longer, which gave her time to try to uncover more about her granny’s time here – but, more importantly, it gave her an opportunity to hang around with Sam, which brought a huge smile to her face.
ChapterNine
An hour later, Verity had eaten and changed into the clothes donated by Clemmie. She’d included a pair of trainers, luckily the same size as Verity’s, which would do until her own were dry. She’d noticed that Sam had already placed her trainers on top of the Aga to dry out, which made her smile. She was soon walking down Lighthouse Lane, planning to call in to see Amelia in the bookshop and surprise her with the fact she was still here. Afterwards, she would pop into the tearoom to thank Clemmie (who obviously knew she was still here). Then she was going to make her way back up the cliffs to locate Nathan in the garage and assess the damage of the van, though she wasn’t holding out much hope. Even if she was lucky and the insurance company paid out for the van, it wouldn’t bring much money. The van was old, and the new fixtures and fittings were probably worth more than the vehicle.
Surprisingly, there wasn’t a soul in sight on Lighthouse Lane. The whole place seemed deserted. Puffin Island had suddenly become a ghost town. Verity wondered where everyone was, considering it was early afternoon.
Strange,she thought, pushing on the door of The Story Shop, but it didn’t open. Verity tried again but it was firmly shut. Then she noticed the note pinned to the front door.
The Story Shop is closed for the next two hours and will reopen at two-thirty p.m. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Maybe Amelia was taking a long lunch hour, possibly in the pub? Verity decided to head that way after calling in on Clemmie, but the tearoom had exactly the same note pinned to the front door. Finding the pub closed, and with a similar note outside, Verity carried on walking down Anchor Way, perplexed. She passed the hotel and headed towards Quaint Quarters, a small square filled with antique shops and an art gallery. She loved a good antique shop, with its distinct smell, where every item told its own story. But all the shops there were closed too. Just at that moment Verity noticed a woman hurrying out of the nearest antique shop. She locked the door and slapped a note on it.
‘Excuse me?’ said Verity, catching the woman’s attention. ‘Why is everywhere shut?’
‘Island meeting. The usual clash of the titans.’
Verity had no clue what she meant and didn’t have time to ask as the woman’s heels were navigating the cobblestones at speed, heading towards the harbour. Verity decided to follow her, intrigued to know what the meeting was about. Once she reached the harbour, the woman headed past the jetty that led to The Sea Glass Restaurant and pushed open the door of a quaint black and white building nearby.
Above the door was a small wooden sign readingThe Island Hall. Verity assumed it was equivalent to a village hall. She could hear voices echoing inside, as though someone was speaking through a microphone. Pinned to the door was a notice.
Puffin Island Meeting, one p.m., all residents welcome.
Curious to know what was going on inside, Verity took her chance and slipped into the building when she heard the sound of rapturous applause. Quickly taking a spare seat at the back of the room, she immediately spotted Amelia and Clemmie sitting in the front row. She recognised Cora and Dan from the pub, and Pete, too, who was sitting at the side of the stage. She slid down in her seat as Sam took to the stage and stood behind the microphone. Verity noticed that one side of the room began to grumble and didn’t sound very welcoming at all.
‘We all know why we’re here.’
The room fell silent.
‘With the vote very much upon us, we’re here one last time to air what we think is right. The island is divided. Half of you can sit there telling yourself what I’m proposing is nonsense, but yet another idiot cost us time and money this morning.’
Verity had no clue what Sam was talking about but he wasn’t beating around the bush. The way he was speaking, it sounded as though he was on a mission about something. He seemed rattled.
‘Automatic barriers are theonlyway forward.’
‘Nonsense,’ shouted out a voice from the front.
‘As an island we need to come together on this one. Automatic barriers that come down when the tide is rising will stop reckless drivers getting stuck on the causeway and having to be rescued.’
Sam had Verity’s full attention now. Her eyes widened, her heart began to pound, and she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. That idiot he was talking about…was her. How dare he! Who did he think he was? It had been a genuine mistake! She felt the urge to defend herself but she had to do everything in her power not to make her presence known. She wanted to see how this would play out.
