‘No, honestly, mum, I’ll be fine.’ Apart from anything else, it would give her some precious space alone, away from her parents. Her brother Sam had called yesterday and together they’d gone out for a walk. It had been good to breathe in the fresh air and feel the sun on her face. Life on the narrowboat had always afforded Jasmine time outdoors, but these days she was cooped up inside for far too long, to the extent that she now looked pale and withdrawn, devoid of any vitality which had once oozed from her. Workwise, she was producing some of the best pieces of design in her career – hardly surprising when that’s all she was concentrating on. Now, after arranging to look at a property, she had something else to focus on.
‘Why Samphire Bay?’ Sam had asked, as they sat on a park bench.
‘It’s on a coastal path and I want to be by the sea – need to be by the sea.’
‘Right.’ Sam nodded, then he hesitated as though he wanted to say more. Jasmine sensed his unease.
‘What?’
‘Do you ever… regret selling the boat?’ He eyed her sideways.
‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘Too many memories.’
‘But is that a bad thing?’ Sam replied gently. Jasmine turned to face him.
‘Yes, it is,’ she said almost incredulously. What was it with everyone? Why would she want to remain onMoonshine, when all it did was remind her of what she had been cruelly robbed of?
‘Sorry,’ muttered Sam.
‘No.’ Jasmine sighed. ‘I’m sorry.’
Sam held out his hand and she took it. He squeezed it in comfort.
‘Is there anything I can do?’ he choked, on the verge of tears. He couldn’t help it; his heart broke at seeing his sister in such pain. If the police ever caught the bastard that had driven into Tom, he’d kill him.
‘Actually, there could be.’
Sam’s head shot up. ‘What?’
‘This cottage, if it’s for me, will need a lot of work doing on it. Basically, it’s a wreck, but that’s the attraction. I want a doer-upper, just likeMoonshine.’
Sam looked at her and saw a kernel of enthusiasm glowing in her eyes, which he took to be a good sign. He encouraged her with a wide smile.
‘Course I’ll give you a hand.’
‘I’ll have a better idea tomorrow, once I’ve seen it.’
She took out a printed copy of the house specs from her coat pocket and passed them to Sam. He took in the photographs of the flintstone cottages. Although they had rotten window frames and decaying wooden doors, there was no denying their potential. He totally got the location, with a sun setting in the distance, casting a burnt orange glow over the bay.
‘It looks a fabulous spot,’ he said in awe.
‘I know,’ agreed Jasmine.
‘Which cottage might you go for?’
‘Not sure yet. There’s someone else interested in the cottages too, according to the estate agents.’
‘They always say that to try and make a sale,’ replied Sam.
‘Yeah,’ laughed Jasmine, ‘that’s what I thought.’
Chapter 5
Jack Knowles sat by the bar waiting for his friend and business partner to arrive. He had Robin’s pint ready for him, knowing what he’d want. It wasn’t long before Robin pushed through the pub doors with a foul expression. Immediately, Jack’s shoulders slumped – this wasn’t going to be good news. Without needing to say a word he passed Robin his drink. Robin nodded in thanks, took a mouthful, wiped his mouth and looked at Jack.
‘She’ll only sell us one cottage, not both of them,’ he stated flatly.
‘Why?’ Jack asked, surprised. Robin shrugged.
