Sebastian’s eyebrows shot up and then his eyes dropped to her stomach. ‘You’re not?’
Pippa grinned and nodded. ‘I am. Four months gone.’
Sebastian was instantly up on his feet, shaking Theo’s hand. ‘Congratulations! This is wonderful news.’ He hugged Pippa. ‘I am genuinely happy for you both. If I hadn’t been such an idiot in the first place… all this…’
‘Don’t dwell on it. We got there in the end,’ Pippa reassured him. ‘Like Theo said, it’s time to move on.’
‘Thank you.’
Zara nudged Sebastian’s shoulder. ‘I told you it would be okay.’
Sebastian pressed a kiss to her cheek and took her hand.
‘We are just about to go and open up our shop. Would you both like to come and have a look at The Clock House?’ Pippa realised the significance of the offer as soon as she’d said it. Inviting Sebastian into the place where his grandfather had once worked, and where so much had gone wrong for his family, was no small thing. She opened her mouth to take it back, but she didn’t need to.
Sebastian was already nodding.
‘I’d love that,’ he said, glancing at Zara, who smiled. ‘We both would. I’ve been following everything you’ve done online: the renovation here, the shop launch, the apprentice scheme. It looks brilliant.’
‘It’s been a hell of a year,’ Theo admitted. ‘Busy, but the good kind. What about you? Are you still buying and selling clocks in London?’
Sebastian shook his head. ‘Sort of. I still have the shop as I couldn’t quite let it go, but I’ve taken a different path.’ He sat forward slightly, a quiet pride in his expression. ‘I’m finally following in my grandfather’s footsteps. I’ve started designing watches.’
Pippa’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Really? That’s brilliant.’
‘Really,’ Sebastian replied. ‘I’ve sold a lot of commissions already. And…’ He hesitated, almost shy. ‘I’m working with Morioka & Sons, the clockmakers in Tokyo.’
Theo let out a low whistle. ‘That’s huge. They’re one of the biggest names in the industry.’
Sebastian nodded, a slight blush to his cheeks. ‘Somehow, I’ve ended up with a waiting list of celebrities wanting commissions. It’s surreal. But… good surreal.’
Zara squeezed his hand, pride practically radiating from her.
Sebastian gave a small, uncertain smile. ‘It feels like I’m finally doing something for the right reasons. Not out of anger or rivalry. Just… because I love it.’
Theo nodded warmly. ‘Then you’re exactly where you should be. Have we finished our tea? Come on, let’s show you our little empire.’
They put on coats, grabbed umbrellas, and headed out into the rain. The island looked exactly as it had the day Pippa arrived– soaking and stormy– and they were soon very windswept.
Bell & Blake Clock House sat at the end of the barn conversions, its little gold sign swinging gently in the wind. Through the window could be seen rows of restored clocks and pocket watches, and one very special display case where the spy watch, now deactivated and preserved, rested safely behind glass.
Sebastian moved straight towards the case. The small gold plaque beneath the watch read:In honour of Andrew Wetherby, the true designer of Puffin Island’s greatest work.
Sebastian’s expression crumpled as a wave of emotion swept across his face. ‘My grandfather would’ve loved to see this.’
‘He deserves to be remembered properly,’ Theo said.
‘It was returned to us after the investigation,’ Pippa explained. ‘I did email you to ask if you wanted it, but I didn’t get a reply. We thought we’d keep it here in case you ever dropped by. It’s yours if you want it, Sebastian.’
Sebastian blinked back the tears. ‘Thank you, that’s very kind, but I think it’s meant to be here. It’s a part of this place’s history, and I can always come back anytime to see it.’
They stood together for a moment, looking at the watch– the object that had destroyed one life, nearly ruined two others, and somehow brought all of them to this point.
As they stepped inside, the ticking of dozens of clocks filled the space– steady, calm, welcoming.
‘I’m assuming you’re aware that Horace passed away three months ago?’ asked Theo.
Sebastian nodded.
