‘Very much the same as Betty’s. They’re still friends.’
‘Don’t be annoyed with me when I say this…’ She paused, knowing that Sam was incredibly vulnerable and that she needed to word this very carefully. ‘Have you ever considered that Pete may just have been grieving like everyone else? It must have been a shock to him if he lost his best friend, and grief affects people in many different ways. I know that, even now, when I think of my granny, I can get very emotional.’ She reached across and placed her hand on top of his, and noticed the tears filling his eyes before he quickly blinked them away.
‘I get all that, I really do, but there’s just one question I want answered, and I don’t think that’s too much to ask. But apparently it’s a question no one is prepared to answer, and when Pete passes away, he’ll take it with him to the grave.’
‘And what is that question?’
‘Like I’ve said, where was Pete the night my grandfather died? What made him late for his shift?’
‘With the fiftieth anniversary coming up, maybe this is your chance to try again. Maybe you could attempt to put the feud behind you? Build some bridges. There’s one thing that should be uniting you both at this time and that’s the love you both have for your grandfather.’
‘I wish it was that easy.’
‘Make it that easy. Only you can do this. You never know, if you open up to Pete like you have to me, you might just get the answers you need. It must be worth thinking about, surely?’
Sam looked at her. ‘Are you always this wise?’
‘I have my moments.’
‘Thank you.’
‘For?’
‘Listening. I’ve never really talked about it before; only to Betty, and she must be sick of hearing about it by now.’ Sam stood up and held his arms open. Verity placed her glass down before stepping into them. He hugged her tight, a proper hug. Resting her head against his chest, she took in his scent, the fragrance of the aftershave she’d squirted in his bathroom. She briefly closed her eyes, not wanting to step out from his arms.
Sam pulled away slowly and handed her back her glass as they walked side by side to the water’s edge.
They watched Jimmy chase a seagull along the waterline for a while before Sam asked, ‘Have you got any plans for tonight or would you like to watch a film on Netflix?’
‘No plans and that’ll be lovely as long as it’s not some action-packed boys’ film.’
He grinned. ‘I don’t mind getting in touch with my feminine side. I’ll be right back.’
She looked at him, confused. ‘Where are you going? Are we not watching the film inside?’
‘Wait and see. I’ll be back!’
‘Never mind quoting Arnold Schwarzenegger, we agreed no action films!’
Sam grinned as he disappeared back inside the cottage. Jimmy raced after him, giving a playful bark, leaving Verity wondering what Sam was up to. A couple of minutes later he reappeared carrying a mountain of cushions and dropped them on the sand in front of the bistro table. He laid out a large blanket then arranged the cushions in a long line. Without saying another word, he disappeared inside again. When he reappeared this time, he was juggling candles and a lighter.
‘Are you sure I can’t help you with anything?’
‘No, you relax. Two more trips and we’ll be good to go.’ His eyes sparkled as he caught Verity’s gaze. Walking around the blanket and cushions he began to space the tealight candles out evenly. On the second walk around he lit them all.
‘Candles, very romantic,’ she murmured.
‘Keeps the midges away.’ He gave her a lopsided grin.
After returning to the cottage again, he brought out a picnic basket and placed it at one end of the blanket. ‘I’m going to get Jimmy settled in the kitchen then I’ll be back out.’
‘Are we really staying out here? Where’s the TV?’
‘Wait and see.’ He wasn’t giving anything away.
Five minutes later, Sam shut the cottage door and walked towards Verity carrying a cardboard box and a small fabric stool. ‘I’m hoping this will work.’
‘What is it?’
