Page 9 of The Sisters at the Last House Before the Sea

Isla felt a flash of irritation when her sister and Maisie exchanged a look. Gran might be gone, but this was still her home and she could give a front door key to whomever she chose.

‘We’re in here,’ Isla called out.

The door opened and Paul came into the room. He walked straight to her and planted a kiss on her lips. ‘How are you, sweetheart? How did the will reading go?’

‘Fine. It was fine but sad.’

‘Of course it was,’ he said, draping his arm around her shoulders, ‘especially for someone like you who’s so fragile and sensitive.’ Isla winced inside as Caitlin and Maisie exchanged another glance. ‘So what’s happening about this house?’

‘Nothing for the moment,’ Isla told him, deliberately not catching Caitlin’s eye. ‘Gran left this place to both Caitlin and me, but she made arrangements for me to stay in the house for as long as I’d like.’

‘That’s excellent news!’ When Paul leaned down and kissed her on the lips again, his beard tickled her chin. ‘I mean, where else would you rather be?’

‘Anywhere,’ Maisie murmured, but Paul either didn’t hear or pretended not to.

‘What’s that?’ he asked, nodding at William’s letter, which Isla was still holding.

‘I’ll tell you later.’ She pushed it back into its envelope and into her handbag. Then she linked her arm through Paul’s. ‘Why don’t we head for the kitchen and I’ll see if there’s any tea left in the pot?’

‘I’d rather have a fresh cup,’ Paul grumbled as she almost pulled him from the room.

The tea in the pot was still hot and perfectly fine, but Isla threw it away and brewed Paul a fresh cup. He was quite the connoisseur when it came to tea and poked fun at Isla, who preferred good, strong ‘builder’s tea’ to the more perfumed taste of lapsang souchong.

‘I’m sorry, sweetheart,’ he said, putting down his cup and sweeping her into a tight bear hug. ‘It must have been very upsetting, listening to the will being read. It was good of Jessie to let you stay in this house, rather than have to sell it.’

‘Mmm.’ Isla nodded against his chest. ‘I don’t think Caitlin is very happy about it.’

‘Surprise, surprise!’ said Paul, his voice harsh. ‘Caitlin is out for herself and what she can get. That’s obvious enough.’

Isla pulled away, feeling uncomfortable that Paul was being rude about her sister when she might step into the kitchen at any moment. And though she’d had similar thoughts about Caitlin just a few minutes earlier, Paul’s criticism of her sibling made her feel defensive.

‘Caitlin hasn’t had it easy,’ she told him. ‘She took care of our mum for years and looked out for me when I was a child. She kept me safe when Mum died.’

‘And then, I don’t mean to be harsh, but she abandoned you. Anyway.’ He pulled her close again. ‘Let’s not talk about your sister. You don’t have to worry about a thing because I’m here, now, to look after you, and I’ve booked us a table at Barney’s at seven thirty to help you relax.’

Isla pushed herself away from him. ‘Seven thirty tonight?’

‘That’s right. It wasn’t easy getting such a last-minute booking, but I sweet-talked the woman who answered the phone. Made it clear that we’re valued and loyal customers who deserve a table. Blah, blah, blah…It worked a treat.’

‘I’m going to yoga this evening. I thought you knew that.’

Paul shrugged. ‘You did mention it but a meal out with me will do you more good, don’t you think?’ He smiled and brushed her cheek with his finger. ‘Anyway, you can go to yoga any time.’

‘But I wanted to go tonight,’ said Isla, suddenly feeling rebellious. ‘We’d agreed.’

‘I don’t think I agreed.’ Paul pulled his phone from his pocket. ‘Right,’ he said, his tone clipped. ‘If you don’t want to eat out with me this evening, I’d better cancel the booking. No doubt, someone else will want the table that I went to so much trouble to get.’

He found the number in his contacts and Isla heard the tinny buzz of a phone ringing at the restaurant that overlooked the village’s castle ruins.

‘No,’ she said quickly, grabbing the phone from him and pressing end call. She was being over-emotional and ungrateful. ‘It was really kind of you to go to the trouble of getting us a table.’

‘I just thought it might cheer you up, sweetheart.’ Paul brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. ‘That’s all. I love you and always want to do what’s best for you.’

‘I know you do,’ said Isla, feeling guilty for throwing his good deed back in his face. ‘And you’re right. I can go to yoga next week instead. It’s just been a long and emotional day, that’s all.’

‘Which is all the more reason to let me take care of you.’

He folded her into his arms again and Isla relaxed against him. She felt safe here, and protected from the world. She was just being silly because yoga could wait.

---