Verity smiled. ‘Will it be difficult for you if I did stay around?’
‘You mean on the island?’
She nodded.
‘Of course not. If anything, you lit up my life again. I felt like you’ve accepted me for me. Not many people can make me smile the way you do. Over the years I lost the zest for living.’ Pete looked around the room. ‘This room is still exactly the same as the last day Hetty was standing here. I’ve been stuck in a time warp, waiting for a return that was never going to come. I was so focused on the past that I forgot to live in the present…and I’ve certainly not looked after myself.’
Verity stood up and touched his arm. ‘That can all change now. I’m sure when Sam processes everything, he’ll come around. I do know he was coming today to talk to you and hopefully put things to bed before the vigil.’
‘Timing is everything,’ murmured Betty.
‘I’m glad you don’t mind me staying, Pete, because I’ve enjoyed puffin counting and working alongside you in the vet’s. Let’s hope I get the job and can find a home before winter sets in.’
‘Job? What’s this?’ asked Betty.
‘I’ve applied for a job with Cooper.’
‘Oh, Verity, that’s brilliant. I’ve got everything crossed for you.’
‘Me, too,’ added Pete.
Verity smiled at them and pointed to the door. ‘I’m going to leave you both to it.’ After hugging them tightly, she made her way back to the van, wondering whether her granny would have stayed on Puffin Island if she hadn’t been pregnant. Sadly, that was a question that was never going to be answered.
ChapterTwenty
It was nine a.m. on voting day when Verity woke to the sound of puffins and gulls, and sunshine bursting through the curtains of the van. Last night it had taken her ages to get to sleep, the circumstances that led to Joe’s death running through her mind, all of it so sad. If her granny hadn’t left the island that day, things might have been very different. She knew she couldn’t change any of it, but she couldn’t help wondering what she would have done in her granny’s circumstances. It was a difficult one.
From the way Pete had spoken, Verity knew that he’d thought he and her granny had a future together. You could hear the love for Hetty in his voice, and he’d waited all these years hoping she would walk back into his life. Verity was in no doubt that her granny had loved her grandfather, but she was more than likely in love with Pete too, given the stories she’d told about Puffin Island and the picture hanging in her favourite room in the house, constant reminders of what could have been. Discovering the pregnancy would have cemented the need to go home and marry her baby’s father, but had she had regrets? Verity would never know. She still had so many questions. She wished she could have one more conversation with her grandmother about her summer on Puffin Island.
Verity thought about going over to see Sam, but decided it was best to give him time. He would still be coming to terms with all yesterday’s revelations. She hoped the feud that had festered for many years between Sam and Pete would one day be abandoned, but today wasn’t likely to be that day, as they were going to go head-to-head again when the island voted on the safety barriers. Voting booths were being set up in the church hall, Betty was in charge of issuing the ballot papers, and Cooper had been roped in as a fair adjudicator to count the results. An announcement was due to be made at three p.m. that afternoon at the bay.
Reaching for her phone Verity was amazed to note she had slept for eight hours. She saw a text from Kev and swiped the screen.
The new tenants are in and your absence has just been clocked. I’ve been accosted!
Verity quickly typed back.
Tell me more.
Almost immediately Kev’s name flashed on to the screen. Verity swiped the text message and burst out laughing.
I told him it was top secret and I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone. But in case anyone asks, you won the lottery, have bought a house in the South of France and are now dating a celebrity and couldn’t be happier!
Verity could picture Kev furtively spilling the untrue secret, and no doubt making it extremely believable. As she climbed out of bed and slid open the van door, she was swathed with a feeling she had missed – happiness. In a way, shehadwon the lottery. If she were still in that mundane relationship, there was no way she would be waking up with this view.
You’re such a fibber!
She quickly typed back, still with a smile on her face, glad she could always rely on Kev to set the cat amongst the pigeons. As she slid her feet into her trainers, she looked across towards Cliff Top Cottage.
‘Wow! What’s all this?’ she asked, walking over towards Pete, who was battling with an old rug that he eventually threw onto a pile of rubbish that was accumulating outside in the garden. All his windows were wide open and colourful hanging baskets bursting with blooms were hanging on each side of the cottage door. On the table outside there were tins of paint and dustsheets.
Pete turned towards her. ‘It’s a brand-new day and a brand-new start.’ He gave a her a warm smile. ‘Would you like a cup of tea?’
‘Yes, thank you.’ He disappeared back inside and soon returned carrying a tray with a pot of tea and two mugs.
He gestured towards the new bistro set that had been set up overlooking the cliff top.
‘Is this new, too?’ she asked as she sat.
