Page 108 of The Sisters at the Last House Before the Sea

He was standing at the quayside, with his back to her, and his rucksack, bulging at the seams, was lying at his feet. It was one minute to ten and she’d run all the way.

Isla walked up behind him as quietly as she could – not easy when she was panting – and stood for a second, watching him unobserved. He was shifting gently from foot to foot in his tan boots, as if he couldn’t stand still. The collar of his thick jacket was turned up and he was wearing the mustard beanie hat to protect him against the cold. Beyond him, the grey sea churned, mirrored by a cloudy sky.

‘Ben,’ said Isla.

He swung around, a huge grin on his face. ‘You came!’ His grin faded when he glanced at Isla’s hands and realised she had no luggage with her. ‘Ah.’ Disappointment crossed his face. ‘You came to say goodbye.’

‘That’s right.’

Ben pulled the hat from his head and ran a hand through his chestnut hair. ‘I thought…well, I hoped you might come with me…but I was being ridiculous. You have a boyfriend here, and a life, and I’m just a stranger who turned up a few days ago.’

When he looked down at the ground, Isla felt a rush of emotion. He really cared that she wasn’t going with him.

‘I didn’t finish what I was saying,’ she said gently. ‘I came to say goodbye because I can’t simply up and leave Heaven’s Cove today.’

‘No, I get that. Like I said…boyfriend, life, stranger. I totally get it.’

‘But maybe I can soon, after Christmas.’

Ben looked up, confusion in his eyes. ‘What do you mean?’

Isla smiled. ‘I can’t just drop everything and go with you to America and start travelling around the world. There are things I need to wind up and sort out first. But I think I’m overdue for an adventure so how about I book a flight to New York for early January? I can come and visit you, if that’s what you’d like. And if things work out, we can start planning our travels.’

‘What about your boyfriend? He won’t like it.’

‘He’ll absolutely hate it. But he isn’t my boyfriend any more.’

Ben frowned. ‘I’m sorry, Isla. I’ve caused chaos. You shouldn’t have broken up with Paul.’

‘Do you really believe that?’

‘No, he was horrible to you. But what if you come to America and you miss home too much? You’ll have thrown everything away.’

‘No I won’t because it’ll still be waiting here for me – not Paul, obviously, though I think that’s for the best.’ Isla felt a shudder of sadness but ignored it. ‘And if America and travelling turn out to be dreadful, at least I’ll have seen the world out there.’ She looked into Ben’s eyes. ‘But I don’t think it will be dreadful. Do you?’

When Ben shook his head, Isla reached out and brushed dark curls from his forehead. He caught hold of her hand and, turning it, kissed the sensitive skin on the inside of her wrist.

‘I think it could be amazing. I realise you might want to book your own place to stay in New York but I have a spare couch if you’d prefer.’

He looked up and his eyes met hers. There was heat in his gaze and Isla shivered. ‘That’s really kind of you. I guess it would be a shame to miss out on an authentic stay with a native New Yorker.’

‘A terrible shame.’ Ben glanced at his watch and swung the rucksack onto his back as if it weighed nothing. ‘I think you’ll like New York, Isla.’

‘Just as Edith would have, too.’

‘William and Edith brought us together and now you’re getting to make the trip that she never managed.’ He frowned. ‘I know this has all happened fast. To be honest, nothing like this—’ He stumbled over his words. ‘—like you, has ever happened to me before. But it feels absolutely right. You won’t change your mind once I’ve gone, will you?’

‘I’m sure I won’t.’ Isla had never been more sure of anything in her life. ‘Anyway, Caitlin won’t let me. She’s determined that I head off and have an adventure.’

‘Oh, I’ll definitely give you that,’ said Ben, leaning closer.

His lips gently brushed hers and then his arms were around her waist and he was kissing her as if he couldn’t bear to let her go: a long kiss that held the promise of so much more.

He stepped back and swallowed. ‘I have to go and catch that flight or Mom will kill me, but I look forward to seeing you in New York after Christmas, Isla.’ He looked around him, at the sea and the sky and the cliff soaring high above them. ‘I never thought I’d say it when I first arrived here, but I’m going to miss Heaven’s Cove and its unusual inhabitants. This village has become special to me.’ He shrugged. ‘Along with you.’

He grabbed hold of Isla’s hand and looked so vulnerable all of a sudden, Isla squeezed tight, enjoying the feeling of his fingers wrapping around hers.

‘I have to go,’ he whispered. ‘I’ll call you.’

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