Chapter 3
Bunty’s eyes flickered open. The morning sun was shining through the skylight, waking her. She was still getting used to her new home. The stone-flint cottage overlooking the bay was in an idyllic location, but then Bunty was accustomed to panoramic views.
Being the previous owner of the Art Deco house on the peninsula, she was still adjusting to living in a smaller home, albeit beautifully renovated. The huge benefit to downsizing had been the next-door neighbour, her young friend, Jasmine. It was through her friendship with Jasmine and her boyfriend, Robin, that had made Bunty realise just how vulnerable she’d been, living alone in a huge house, stuck out on a headland. The magnificent house had been a family home all her life and a wrench to leave, but she knew it was for the best to sell. The time had come to say goodbye. Luckily Jasmine, Robin, plus his best friend, Jack, and Perry, her gentleman friend and his daughter, Emma, had all helped with the move, making it as painless and stress-free as possible.
She still smiled to herself remembering the open house day which her estate agents had insisted upon. Bunty had never heard of such a thing until she’d been convinced that ‘dressing’ the house and allowing a selective cliental to browse it was indeed the way forward. They’d been proved right. The current owner hadn’t long stepped into the place before declaring he’d ‘take it’, like it was a second-hand car or a puppy for adoption.
The sale had been pretty seamless and straightforward as he was a cash buyer, with no chain and, apparently, in a rush to get in. Well, good for him, thought Bunty, but tittered to herself when thinking about the worn-out old boiler this bigshot had been saddled with.
Looking back, the past few months had been a bit of a whirlwind. All thanks to Jasmine, for it was she who had managed to trace Perry. Jasmine and her late husband, Tom, had lived on a narrowboat. They had had contact with Perry through a marina Facebook group, after buying an old pump from him. A few years later, after Tom had been tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident, Jasmine had moved to Samphire Bay for a new start. After befriending Bunty, she became aware of an old flame of hers by the name of Perry, who had owned a boat. By remarkable coincidence it was the very same Perry and Jasmine had managed to obtain his whereabouts from the registration details of his boat.
Perry had been a rock for Bunty. He had reappeared in her life at just the right time. Selling the beloved family home had been quite traumatic for her, especially the open day. Bunty had had to witness strangers enter the marbled hall and wander round at will. It was such an invasion of privacy, but, as the estate agents had advised, she had valiantly tried to distance herself and not take any overheard comments personally. After all, she did want to sell the place. Perry had been there as moral support, along with Emma, who had ended up saving the day.
In an attempt to create the perfect ambiance, the estate agent had arranged for a grand piano to be installed in the hall. However, the pianist didn’t show up, so Emma had stood in and played instead. When a late arrival came to view the house, he had been rather taken with Emma’s playing, going so far as to make a request. Emma had accompanied his chosen piece with her singing and the whole place had stood still in awe. By the time the applause had finished, to the estate agent’s delight, the late arriver had offered the asking price, in cash. Every estate agent’s dream. The only condition had been that the grand piano was left. And that was it. Done and dusted. The big, white house standing proudly on the peninsula no longer belonged to a Deville. It had a new owner. A ‘Mystery Man’ to all at Samphire Bay, because nobody knew anything about him. He’d turned up at the open day wearing dark sunglasses and had pretty much kept himself to himself. Various inhabitants had quizzed Bunty about him, thinking she’d know something, but she was as clueless as the rest. Emma had mentioned that his voice had struck a chord with her, but couldn’t explain why. She, Jasmine and Bunty had all remarked on how tall, dark and handsome he’d appeared (much to Robin’s disgruntlement) which had only made everybody all the more curious.
It was all so intriguing for Samphire Bay, who were not at all used to such newcomers. The small village tended to be inhabited by the same people who had always lived there. Once settled, it was hard to find anywhere else to match it, hence property on Samphire Bay was like gold dust.
Jasmine had been lucky. Not only had she managed to purchase a cottage in such a stunning spot, but she’d been well and truly accepted by the locals. She had set tongues wagging from the start, especially Trish from the corner shop, a well-known gossip, and it hadn’t taken long before the tragic background of her late husband’s death had filtered through the community. Even more commotion was caused when news struck that his killers, who had been driving the van that ploughed into him, were actually from Samphire Bay.
It had been Robin who had helped the police with the investigation. He had also helped Jasmine renovate her cottage and so their relationship formed. Now, thankfully, Jasmine had been given a second chance at Samphire Bay. After the loss and pain of her husband’s death, she was now happy and content with Robin. He was her anchor and she was his.
So, all in all, Samphire Bay was a cheery place. Nestled just beneath the border to Cumbria, it offered sheltered walks along limestone paths and amongst woodland, leading to open views of sandy beaches and glittering water. A place where people once found, never left. But who was its mystery newcomer? That was the question on everyone’s lips.
Jennifer Paige sat at her desk and ticked off another two jobs on the list of things to do. She liked lists. It was the way she operated – steadily, methodically and thoroughly. Which was precisely why Felix had employed her. From the moment he’d interviewed Jennifer as his personal assistant, he knew she’d fit the bill perfectly.
Being a middle-aged, no-nonsense kind of lady, she very much reminded Felix of his mother and, in many ways, shewashis second mother, managing his busy diary, sorting his mail and making sure he kept his appointments. Of course, the fact Jennifer was a mother figure also meant she could keep him in check. Something his real one encouraged her to do.
‘Keep him on a tight rein,’ she’d gently warned in that smooth French voice, peppered with humour.
And Jennifer did just that, but with a clever technique so that Felix didn’t realise it.
Needless to say, Felix couldn’t cope without the sturdy guidance of his PA. It was down to Jennifer’s efficiency that his life ran in such order. He’d be forever in her debt at the way she had handled the fiasco with Anika; fielding his calls, blocking unwanted messages and telling the press where to go. Jennifer had been an absolute star and now, with his latest venture, she was coming up trumps again.
Initially, when telling her of his purchase of the house in Lancashire, she’d been puzzled.
‘Why?’ Jennifer had bluntly asked.
‘A few reasons,’ Felix replied, having fully anticipated this reaction.
‘Them being?’
‘It’s the exact property we need for the drama being the main one, but also its location. It’s both beautiful and secluded, overlooking a gorgeous bay and on a peninsula,’ he explained with enthusiasm.
‘Hmm, could be a little inconvenient though,’ she remarked, her mind automatically pondering the impracticalities. ‘Is there a strong internet connection there?’
Her question was answered with a broad smile. ‘That’s where you come in, Jennifer.’
‘I walked straight into that one, didn’t I?’ She gave him a wry grin.
‘Yep. But with your skills and tenacity, I’m sure you’ll soon have the broadband up and running in no time. Oh, and whilst we’re on it, can you make sure security cameras are installed too?’
‘Of course,’ she nodded. Jennifer, more than anybody, knew how important Felix’s privacy was to him. Especially after the farce with Anika Genness.
‘Here’s the specs of the house.’ He passed her the glossy Grand & Country brochure containing all the property details.
Jennifer gasped at the covering photograph of the property, understanding what prompted Felix to buy it. He was right – the period house was perfect and the location was incredible.
‘Well, what do you think?’ he asked, already knowing the answer, but wanting to hear her say it out loud.
