‘He was just probably trying to grab some limelight. You know what they say about any type of publicity.’
‘Well, I can’t wait to dive in. It’s going to make for some interesting bedtime reading.’
‘But first we get to dine in the floating restaurant in a rainstorm.’
‘Do you think they’ll provide life jackets?’
‘We’re going for food, not a swim in the ocean,’ he teased.
Even with the thought of their evening at The Sea Glass Restaurant ahead of her, Pippa couldn’t shake the pull of the book. There was something about it– the mystery, the timing, the feeling that it held some sort of scandal that could explain what had led to the feud between the brothers. She turned Sebastian’s words over in her mind.
You blamed an innocent man for your own indiscretions, which led him to be an outcast for the rest of his life, and Walter didn’t agree with how you handled things. Wasn’t that the real reason the partnership broke down? You pinned that evidence on him, knowing he was keeping the biggest secret of all for you. You just wanted him silenced. You made him the scapegoat. You should be ashamed!
Pippa was itching to start reading, already imagining curling up under the duvet later, bedside light on, and diving into Wetherby’s forgotten words. Were Sebastian’s outburst and this book linked? What if Wetherby had revealed the truth that Sebastian was so hellbent on uncovering?
ChapterFourteen
Pippa shut her bedroom door and set the suitcase on the bed. Thankfully, Rose had packed her a dressy blouse that would look perfect with her jeans. She held it up in front of her and looked in the mirror before pulling it over her head. The neckline sat well and the sleeves were just the right length. She did a little turn to the side and grinned. This would do for The Sea Glass Restaurant. It wasn’t flashy, just… right.
She sat at the small dressing table and put on a dab of concealer, a bit of blush, and some lipgloss. Simple and classic.
Hair next. She twisted and plaited sections from both sides, pinning them up with a butterfly clip she dug out of the depths of Rose’s rucksack. She checked the back of her head using her phone camera, studying her reflection in the dressing-table mirror as she fixed a rogue strand that refused to cooperate. Then she reached for her perfume, a small bottle that had been tucked in the pocket of her wedding dress. With two sprays on her wrists and one just below her collarbone, she was ready.
Just then her phone buzzed, and she saw it was Rose FaceTiming. She answered immediately, her best friend’s face filling the screen.
‘There she is,’ Rose declared. ‘My runaway bride.’
Pippa laughed.
‘You look nice.’
‘Thank you. I’m going to the Sea Glass Restaurant for dinner,’ Pippa flopped onto the edge of the bed and lowered her voice. ‘And… I need advice.’
Rose’s eyes sharpened instantly. ‘Oh. This is serious advice. I can tell by your voice.’
‘I’m going with Theo and today,’ Pippa said slowly, ‘I overheard something.’
‘About?’
‘Theo.’
‘Go on.’
‘He… he’s separated from his wife.’
Rose’s eyes widened.
‘I’m sorry. What?’
‘Separated,’ Pippa repeated. ‘I didn’t know. He didn’t tell me. I overheard him say it in a conversation with someone else.’
Rose stared at her. Then grinned. A dangerous, delighted grin. ‘Oh my God. This is it.’
‘This is not it,’ Pippa said quickly.
‘This is fate.’
‘It is a coincidence.’
