‘Just a little,’ she replied.
ChapterTwenty-One
It was just before three p.m. and everyone was gathered at Blue Water Bay. No one knew what the result of the voting would be, except Cooper, who’d counted the votes. He was standing at the edge of the sand talking to Pete. As soon as he spotted Verity, he gestured for her to come over.
‘What did you think of the flat?’ asked Cooper.
Verity took the keys out of her bag. ‘To be honest, Cooper, I just have one major complaint.’
Cooper’s smile dropped as he looked at Pete then back at Verity. ‘Complaint?’
‘The view through those bifold doors was just terrible. I really couldn’t put up with it on a daily basis!’ She laughed.
‘For a minute there…’
‘I’d love to take the flat if that’s okay with you, and if the rent is manageable.’
‘Glad to hear it, because I have this for you.’ He handed her an envelope. ‘Pete and I had a discussion and we think this is a fair monthly price.’
Verity opened the envelope and looked at the figure written on the piece of paper within. The rent for the flat was a few hundred less than her own home that she was renting out. With her wage from the new job – if she got it – she would be able to manage perfectly. She held out her hand to Cooper. ‘Deal.’
‘Fantastic! I’ll get the contract drawn up and we can have it signed by the end of the week.’
‘Perfect. I’ll see you at four p.m. for the interview.’
‘You will. Speaking of the time…’ Cooper checked his watch and said goodbye before walking off towards the microphone stand that was positioned on the jetty.
Pete leaned in and whispered, ‘I think the job is in the bag.’
‘I hope so,’ replied Verity. ‘I can’t believe this is happening. And by the way, I need to apologise to you. I didn’t make it back to the cottage to help you out.’
‘Where have you been?’
She grinned.
‘You made everything okay with Sam?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’m glad to hear that.’
Their conversation was interrupted by Cooper switching on the microphone. Verity spotted Sam at the front of the crowd and caught his eye. He grinned at her, the two of them sharing the secret that only minutes earlier they had been wrapped in each other’s arms and had almost forgotten the time.
Cooper began to speak and Verity and Sam both turned towards him. ‘We all know why we’re here today. The safety of our islanders and visitors is paramount and we want to do what’s best to stop vehicles being trapped on the causeway when the tide turns. Ideas have included posters on the ferries, TV campaigns, radio campaigns and, of course, barriers. Islanders have strong opinions both for and against the barriers, and so the only way to settle this was by an island vote. All votes have now been counted and verified, and inside this envelope is the result.’
Verity noticed a look pass between Pete and Sam.
Cooper opened the envelope. Verity was reminded of the BAFTA awards.
‘In total we have one hundred and sixty residents over the age of eighteen who were eligible to vote. One hundred and sixty votes were counted. The total number of islanders for the barriers is eighty; the total number of islanders against the barriers is eighty.’
There was a groan all around. It was a draw?
‘What happens now?’ whispered Verity to Clemmie, who was standing next to her.
‘God knows,’ she replied.
Cooper held his hand up to silence everyone. ‘Can I make a suggestion?’
