Tension hung in the air. Even Jimmy must have sensed something was wrong as he’d climbed into his crate and was lying down staring at them, his head resting on his paws.
‘Fine. I’ll get my things.’
Sam didn’t say anything, just turned his back and switched on the kettle. Whether she was right or wrong, Verity still thought he needed to stop and think about what he was losing from this ongoing feud.
She packed her belongings and came back downstairs. The back door was open and Sam was standing in the garden, hugging a mug of tea and looking out towards the cove.
She placed the front door key on the table. ‘The thing is, Sam, if you keep pushing Pete away, you’re going to lose the chance to gain valuable information and first-hand stories about your grandfather. Stories that could be passed down to your own children one day. I’m sure they would be proud of their rockstar great-grandfather and happy to hear stories you learned from someone who was actually there.’
Sam remained silent and didn’t look at her.
Verity ruffled the top of Jimmy’s head, walked to the front door and closed it behind her. She exhaled and was hit by a wave of emotion. With one last look at the cottage, she saw that Sam was now standing in the window. Their eyes met, and he moved away. Fighting back tears and with her head bent low, she headed down Lighthouse Lane. From what she’d seen so far, Sam was very good at holding grudges, which probably meant for the rest of her time on the island they were going to have to avoid each other.
ChapterFourteen
Arriving at the garage, Verity found Hetty gleaming. She’d been washed and was ready and waiting. With his head buried under another bonnet, Nathan was singing along to the radio.
‘Hi.’
Nathan jumped, banging his head.
‘Oh gosh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.’
‘Don’t worry. You wouldn’t believe the number of times I’ve done that over the years.’ He wiped his hands on an oily rag and smiled at Verity. ‘I’ve actually lost count and I probably need to apologise to you.’
‘What for?’
‘My singing!’ He grinned. ‘I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.’
Verity smiled, her thoughts immediately turning to Sam and the beautiful song he’d sung in the pub, which had melted her heart. ‘Luckily your head was buried in the bonnet so it wasn’t too traumatic.’ Pointing to Hetty, she said, ‘She’s so clean. Thank you.’
‘And dry. And she’ll stay that way as long as you keep away from the causeway.’ Nathan grinned.
‘I’ll do my best. I know this is a bit cheeky but would it be possible for me to park her over there and sleep in her?’ Verity pointed to a grassy area in front of the garage.
‘Are you sure you want to sleep up here where you’re away from everything and everyone?’
‘I think it will be perfect and peaceful, and waking up to that view will be something I’ll never forget.’
Nathan looked out across the sea. ‘I still think it’s spectacular after all these years. Be my guest, but don’t park her too near the edge. You do know the puffins moo like cows, right? The noise can be very eerie up here when it echoes around the cliffs in the dead of the night.’
‘I know exactly what the puffins sound like. Frightened the life out of me, they did.’
‘And me. The first time I heard them I thought the cliff top was full of cows.’
They both laughed.
Sitting behind the wheel of Hetty again, she was thankful that her beloved van was back in full working order and that her dip in the sea hadn’t been her final chapter. She turned the key, the engine started the first time, and she reversed onto the grassy spot she’d pointed out to Nathan. She positioned the van so that the sliding side door overlooked the cliff edge. When she was enjoying a morning brew in bed, she could open the door and take in the beauty of her surroundings.
The van was parked, Verity set up her windbreaker and deckchair and placed a small table outside with her camping stove. Her plan for the rest of the day was to head back down to the harbour, call in and see Betty and, on the way back, pop in to Puffin Pantry to pick up some sausages for her tea.
Excited at the possibility of uncovering her granny and Joe’s secret, Verity set off towards the tearoom, with the postcard tucked away in her bag. She was feeling a little nervous about meeting Betty, but in a good way. She arrived five minutes before closing time to find Clemmie outside, wiping down the tables.
‘Here she is!’ Clemmie cried. ‘You have to tell me what you’ve done to the local heartthrob, because he stormed past here earlier with a thunderous look on his face.’
Verity followed Clemmie into the tearoom. ‘I’m trying to push that from my mind.’
‘What, you’ve actually had an argument?’
