‘I suppose you could say that. I’m back to sleeping in the van tonight. I’ve parked it up on the cliff top.’
‘What happened?’
‘He didn’t like me saying good things about Pete. But I think it was my saying that he was acting immaturely that sent him over the edge.’
Clemmie’s eyes widened. ‘Ouch. That may have dented his ego a little.’
‘I was a teeny bit out of order but I also think Sam’s being stubborn. Pete is a really interesting character, easy to get on with, and his stories are entertaining.’
‘Pete, easy to get on with? Are you casting magic spells over all the men on Puffin Island?’
Verity laughed.
‘I’ve never known Pete to speak to a tourist, never mind give them a temporary job as a ranger. I’m thinking you may have drugged him.’
Verity grinned. ‘Only with my infectious personality.’
‘If it’s any consolation, we’ve also said the same to Sam, but again that resulted in us not speaking for a while. The best way is to keep out of it. He needs to work this out for himself. We’ve lived with this feud on the island for many years and it’s only going to get worse. With the vigil and the vote coming up in the next couple of weeks, I can’t see them putting their differences aside.’
‘Vote?’
‘The safety barriers on the causeway. Do we have them or not. That’s the only way to settle it.’
‘Tensions will be running high then.’
Just at that moment the door at the back of the tearoom opened and Betty stepped through it and gasped. ‘I don’t believe this. Hetty’s granddaughter.’ With her arms open wide she hurried towards Verity and enveloped her in a huge hug.
‘Betty, Verity, Verity, Betty.’ Clemmie introduced them with a smile.
‘I was so worried you wouldn’t remember my granny after all these years.’
‘Remember her? Hetty was my best friend for the summer, and even worked here in the tearoom. She rented a room upstairs.’
‘No way! She was here for a whole summer?’
‘Yes, and I was so sad when she went home. There are times in life when you just click with someone and I clicked instantly with your granny. The adventures we shared that summer…’ Betty gave a little chuckle. ‘I bet she’s told you all about what we got up to. How is she? Does she know you’re here?’
Clemmie looked towards Verity. Apparently she hadn’t shared the news of Hetty’s death.
‘I’m sorry to have to tell you that my grandmother has passed away. It was over twelve years ago now.’
The smile slipped from Betty’s face. ‘Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear that.’ She swallowed. ‘Come on through to the back room. Are you okay to carry on tidying up?’ she asked Clemmie.
‘Of course. I’ll bring you through a pot of tea, and there are a couple of slices of Victoria sponge left.’
Betty nodded her thanks and led the way to the living quarters of the cottage. ‘I can see your granny standing behind that counter. She turned up that summer and wanted a job.’
‘This looks just like a normal cottage back here.’
‘It is a normal cottage, except that the front room was turned into a tearoom many moons ago.’
It actually wasn’t too dissimilar to Sam’s cottage, old-fashioned as it was, with its oak-beamed ceiling. Blue velvet settees were positioned in an L shape in front of the open fireplace along with an oversized rug and a coffee table. A floor-to-ceiling bookcase was rammed with books, and a sage-coloured dresser was covered with framed photographs.
‘Take a seat. So, are you following in your granny’s footsteps? Are you staying for the summer?’
‘This time last week I didn’t even know Puffin Island was a real place, even though I’d visited it many times as a child.’
‘I’m confused,’ said Betty.
