‘No. But I want to see his face when he realises we’re on to them.’
Daniel nodded. ‘I think we’re close to something.’
Fern looked around the shop. ‘Can you imagine if we exposed the biggest music scandal ever? What a way to start the new job.’ She realised what she had said the second the words had left her lips, and immediately tried to backtrack. ‘I didn’t mean anything by that. It’s just…’
‘I know. Ultimately, it’s your choice, but I don’t have to like the thought of you going back anytime soon.’
‘I know.’ Deep down, neither did she. She knew this promotion would help financially, but the thought of not seeing Daniel every day was firmly on her mind.
ChapterForty-Three
The news of the break-in spread through Puffin Island like seagulls on chips. By mid-morning, half the village seemed to have heard, but it was Betty who was first through the door, holding a foil-wrapped parcel in her hand.
‘I heard what happened! You poor dears,’ she said, thrusting the parcel into Fern’s hands. ‘Sausage rolls. Still warm. You can’t solve mysteries or fix broken locks on an empty stomach.’
‘Betty, you didn’t have to?—’
‘Nonsense.’
Moments later, Amelia popped in, her cardigan flapping as she rushed through the door. ‘I’ve just heard! Is everyone okay?’
‘We’re both fine. We were out to lunch when it happened,’ said Fern.
‘I’ve brought the number of a locksmith.’
Fern was about to respond when the door jingled again. This time, Dilly walked in, holding the hands of identical twins. ‘I heard about the break-in, and I wanted to offer help, if there’s anything I can do?’
Fern blinked at the sudden influx of warmth and goodwill. ‘Thank you, all of you. I don’t even know what to say.’
Daniel appeared from the back with a tray of tea things and a slightly overwhelmed expression. ‘I thought we were being burgled again with all the noise.’
Amelia smiled. ‘Just your neighbours descending to make sure you’re okay.’
Even Dorothy wandered in not long after, with a plastic bag full of scones.
‘I just thought you might need a pick-me-up,’ she said, eyes soft behind her spectacles.
Fern accepted them with a smile but suddenly felt her guard go up. A ridiculous thought had just flashed through hermind– was it possible Dorothy knew more than she let on? She had become close to Matilda only in the last few years; was that a conscious decision? An attempt to get close to try to find out about the manuscript to protect Alistair’s inheritance? She tried to shake the suspicion away, told herself that was ridiculous, but there was still a tiny niggle in the back of her mind.
While the shop buzzed with a comforting energy, Fern linked her arm through Daniel’s and found herself smiling.
‘What are you smiling at?’ he murmured.
‘This. People looking out for each other.’
‘It’s called community– and Puffin Island has the best.’
‘I can see that,’ she replied, leaning her head against his shoulder.
* * *
After everyone had left, Daniel popped out to pick up some more milk. Fern was still riding the wave of warmth from the community as she pulled out her phone to check No. 17 Curiosity Lane’s social media accounts. Daniel had been doing an incredible job as the singing antique dealer, and sales had been rising. She moved on to her own personal social media and gave a tiny gasp.
A photo of Ella. In a white dress.
The man beside her Jax Devlin.
Married.
