‘Are we close now?’
‘It says five minutes on the sat nav, but…’ Charlotte eyed Sofia. ‘It’s all on that unmade road.’
‘Hold on to your hats then. I’ll go slowly.’
The bump down onto the unpaved road was a dramatic change in comfort levels, and Maddie listened with concern at the car’s engine protesting as Sofia attempted to avoid the worst bits.
‘Nearly there!’
A funny old shack finally appeared at the end of the track, bereft of cars or any sign of life.
‘So, this is it?’ Charlotte raised her eyebrows. ‘This is the cool restaurant we’ve been looking for?’
Sofia pulled into an unkempt parking area at the side, which appeared to have several parts of old tractors as decoration.
‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’
Charlotte snorted.
‘We’re talkingMiseryI presume? Or maybeSilence of the Lamb Chops?’
‘Funny.’
The three of them got out of the car and walked round to the back of the property, which appeared as deserted as the rest.
Discarded lobster pots and fishing rods were leant up against the roughly painted blue walls, and a steep flight of stairs led toan upper floor with a few rusty windows and a roof that had seen better days.
Charlotte indicated up the stairs.
‘I don’t think they’ll be giving The River Café cause for concern any time soon.’
‘I don’t even know what or where that is’—Maddie put her foot on the first stair—‘but you have to admit Sof, it looks pretty dead.’
Sofia raced past them both and got to the door first.
‘Where’s your spirit of adventure, Mads?’
‘Left behind on a deserted beach for the time being.’
As soon as she reached the top of the stairs, Sofia knocked on the door and tried to peer in through the cloudy pane of glass at the top.
‘There’s someone in there. I’m sure of it.’
Charlotte tucked herself in behind Maddie.
‘Make sure they haven’t got a knife in their hand.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous. It’s got a whole heap of five-star reviews. The only reason someone would have a knife in their hand is if they were preparing a feast.’
Sofia tried the door handle.
‘It’s unlocked. Let’s go in.’
Maddie turned to Charlotte.
‘We’d better give her some back-up.’
‘We’re not in a cop movie.’
