‘So what about the cons?’
‘Cons…’ She looked out at the sea. ‘I’m not moving any closer to my dad, but honestly? He’s got a full life. He’s always walking with his mates, playing squash, or booking another holiday in the Algarve. He’s not exactly waiting by the phone.’
‘He sounds like he’s thriving,’ Theo said.
‘He is, and I want that for him. Then there’s Rose, my bestie. But she’s moving away soon, for her partner’s job, so we would be separated anyway.’
‘People who are meant to be in your life will stay in your life.’
Pippa nodded. ‘I want to feel like I’m starting something, not just escaping something. But starting again is… daunting.’
For a moment, they sat in silence, the puffins waddling below them, the sunlight warming their shoulders. She took a sideward glance at Theo. ‘I’m… excited about this place. It’s not something I’ve felt in a very long time.’
He met her gaze. ‘Then maybe that’s your answer.’
‘I need to have a chat with Dad, as I’d have to move fast if I’m going to go for The Clock House. It feels completely life-changing. Completely mad.’
‘Some of the best decisions are.’
‘The causeway will open soon and people will be lining up to view it. I need to make a decision quickly.’
He nodded. ‘That’s true. But you don’t have to decide alone.’
Another puffin waddled past below them, tripped over nothing, and face-planted directly into a patch of grass. Pippa laughed again. ‘I love this place already.’
Theo took her hand and gave it a squeeze. ‘I’m glad we’ve got to see each other again and spend this time together. I don’t think I ever believed in fate until you walked into that cottage. I have to admit, I was secretly chuffed.’
Pippa grinned. ‘I’ve always thought– hoped– that one day our paths would cross again, and we can thank St Swithin’s for making it happen.’
Theo pulled her in, his hand warm at the back of her neck, and was just about to kiss her when a burst of shouting shattered the moment. They froze, lips nearly touching, then spun round at the same time.
Sebastian was pounding on the door of Cliff Top Cottage, fist thudding so hard the frame shook.
‘Horace Vale!’ he bellowed. ‘Come out and speak to me!’
Another heavy thud. Then another.
‘I think he’s drunk,’ Pippa whispered, eyes widening. ‘He’s swaying. God, what time is it?’ She checked her watch. ‘Definitely too early to be that drunk.’ She spotted the curtains twitch, and Pete’s face appeared briefly at the window.
‘He can’t hide forever!’ Sebastian roared, hammering on the door again– and somehow louder this time, the action full of wild frustration.
Theo let out a low breath. ‘I agree, he’s definitely drunk. Should I go over?’
Before she could answer, the cottage door flew open.
Pete stood there, braced, shoulders squared. Even from the cliff path, they could hear the sharp exchange, Sebastian slurring angrily, Pete firing back with clipped, controlled firmness.
Sebastian made one last furious gesture, then staggered away, muttering to himself. Pete stayed on the doorstep, watching him leave, making absolutely sure he didn’t turn back.
As soon as Sebastian disappeared around the bend of the path, Pippa nudged Theo and their gazes returned to the cottage. Horace appeared cautiously in the doorway, peering out and scanning the cliff path, checking the coast was clear, then vanished back inside.
Pete gave the view one final, wary, sweeping gaze before closing the door with a decisive click.
‘Sebastian definitely thinks Horace is guilty of something to do with Andrew Wetherby’s arrest,’ said Pippa ‘There’s definitely more to this story.’,
‘I’m going to talk to my grandfather again, because if Andrew Wetherby was truly innocent?—’
‘All hell will break loose!’ cut in Pippa.
