Page 6 of The Path to the Last House Before the Sea

‘Sorry to disturb you. I wondered if I might have a quick word?’

‘Yes, of course. Come in.’Alyssa swung her legs off the seat, curious about the reason for Magda’s visit. She was a kind woman whom Alyssa admired – seventy-one years old and still working hard on two businesses she’d built from scratch showed tenacity and flair. But Magda kept herself to herself and rarely made house calls, even to the caravan at the bottom of her own garden.

‘I don’t want to interrupt your lunch,’ Magda insisted when the microwave pinged.

Alyssa shook her head.‘You’re not. It’s only beans on toast, which I can have in a minute. Please, take a seat. Would you like a cup of tea?’

‘No, thank you. I won’t be long.’ Magda sat down and smoothed a hand across her grey hair. ‘I just wanted to check that everything’s all right with you.’

‘Why?’ asked Alyssa, her heart starting to hammer. What had Magda heard about her? Had she stumbled across something on the internet?

‘No reason.’ Magda shook her head. ‘Well, it was something that Florence said, actually. She asked how you were doing in the caravan and I said “Fine” but it made me realise that I haven’t properly checked in with you for ages. Oh, I know we make small talk on the landing when you’re heading for the shower, but I wanted to make sure that you are all right out here.’

Alyssa breathed out slowly, feeling her shoulders drop. ‘That’s kind of you, but there’s no need to be concerned about me. I’m totally fine.’

When she smiled, Magda caught her eye and held her gaze.

She doesn’t believe me, thought Alyssa.

But then Magda looked away. ‘I love the bunting you’ve put up in here, and the art posters. They make the place look very cheerful.’

‘Thanks. I found the bunting in a charity shop a while ago.’

‘How long have you been here now?’

‘Six months, give or take a few days. And, um… how long have you been here?’ Alyssa asked in a rush, keen to ward off any questions about what she’d been doing before arriving in the village.

She felt bad for not knowing more about Magda’s life already. They made pleasant conversation when they bumped into one another – ‘How are you today?’ and ‘Isn’t it cold?’ or ‘Did you hear the lifeboat was launched last night?’ – but that was it. Alyssa, desperate to avoid searching questions about her past, had kept her emotional distance.

‘How long have I been in Heaven’s Cove?’ Magda thought for a moment. ‘It must be close to seven years now, since I moved into my cottage. I set up the ice-cream parlour six years ago, when the building next door to me came up for sale and I was able to buy it. And then, as if that wasn’t enough to keep me busy, I set up my catering business a year after that.’

‘Did you move to Heaven’s Cove because of Stan?’

When Magda suddenly began to cough violently, Alyssa fetched her a glass of water and watched anxiously as the older woman took a few sips. ‘Are you all right?’

Magda nodded, her cheeks red. ‘Sorry. I’ve had this cough for a while and it’s driving me mad.’ She took another sip. ‘What makes you think I moved here for Stan?’

‘Just that… I know you’re both good friends and I heard that you’d been friends with him and his wife for years.’ Had she touched a nerve, somehow? wondered Alyssa, mentally kicking herself for being intrusive. Magda didn’t look well at all.

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to—’ she began, but Magda interrupted her.

‘That’s right. Penny and I were best friends for four decades, so I already knew Heaven’s Cove well. When she was first diagnosed with cancer seven years ago, I decided to move here, to give the family a hand and some moral support.’

‘That was really kind of you. It sounds like you were a brilliant friend to Penny.’

‘Mmm. It certainly sounds like it…’

As Magda stared glumly into her glass, Alyssa realised she’d definitely put her foot in it. Perhaps Magda and Penny had fallen out, or Magda was still too grief-stricken to talk about her friend? Either way, it was time to change the subject.

‘How are preparations for Rosie’s wedding going?’ she asked brightly. ‘It’s quite a responsibility, making her wedding cake.’

Magda looked up from her drink. ‘I’ve made a fair few in my time so it’s not so bad, and the food for the reception is all planned and ordered.’

‘Are you sorting out the marquee too?’

‘No, that’s Rosie and Liam’s job, thank goodness. I’m not sure I’d have had the time to organise that as well. They’ve arranged for it to be erected outside Driftwood House, a few days before the ceremony. The views from the clifftop should be stunning, just so long as the weather behaves.’ Magda crossed her fingers. ‘Do you know Rosie?’

‘Sort of. We say hello when we see each other in the village, and she comes into Stan’s shop sometimes. Everyone seems very excited about her wedding.’

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