Page 30 of The Sisters at the Last House Before the Sea

‘Thanks,’ said Isla, her cheeks burning after walking so swiftly up the steep cliff path. ‘I’m here to meet Ben, the American bloke you’ve got staying.’

‘Is he expecting you?’

‘We agreed to meet here at ten.’ Isla glanced at her watch. She was a few minutes early but she’d got the impression last night that Ben wouldn’t take well to being kept waiting. ‘I said I’d show him around the village.’

‘You’ll both freeze, but that’s nice.’

When Rosie gave a smile that made her russet-brown eyes twinkle, Isla was reminded again how much she liked this woman who’d run Driftwood guesthouse since returning to the village from her life in Spain. And how touched she’d been by her kindness after Jessie had died.

She remembered the knock on the front door, while she’d been waiting for Caitlin to arrive. Still numb with shock, she’d pulled the door open to find Rosie, carrying a large casserole dish.

‘I heard about Jessie and I’m so sorry,’ she’d said, pushing the dish towards Isla. ‘There’s nothing I can say to make you feel better right now, but you need to eat. You won’t feel like it. I didn’t, after my mum died. I almost wasted away. But being weak from hunger just makes everything worse, believe me. And there’s no need to return the dish. Look after yourself, and I’m around if you’d ever like some company.’

With that, she’d turned on her heel and left, which Isla had appreciated. Other villagers had descended over the ensuing days and stayed far too long, needing cups of tea and biscuits, and lots of sympathy as if it was their grandmother who’d just passed away.

‘How are things going at Rose Cottage?’ Rosie asked, with a sympathetic tilt of her head.

‘Oh, you know. It’s strange without Gran but we’re getting used to her not being around.’

‘It takes time.’ A frown crossed Rosie’s face and then was gone. ‘I heard on the village grapevine that you have your sister staying from London.’

‘That’s right, and my niece.’

‘That must be comforting for you.’

‘Mmm,’ said Isla, feeling her jaw tighten.

She was still smarting from Caitlin abandoning her in the pub last night and her sister’s muttered apology and explanation at breakfast this morning – something about not feeling well – hadn’t helped. There was obviously something going on that Isla didn’t know about, and she felt hurt that Caitlin wasn’t willing to confide in her. Hurt, but not surprised.

Rosie smiled. ‘Anyway, I expect they’ll be heading back home quite soon.’

‘I expect so,’ said Isla, though she had no idea when they were leaving.

Maisie was champing at the bit to go but Caitlin seemed more reluctant all of a sudden. That was possibly because she had a growing interest in Edith and William’s story. But Isla couldn’t shake the feeling that there was money involved in her sister’s decision to stick around. Caitlin either thought she could persuade her to sell Rose Cottage, which wasn’t going to happen. Or she was holding out for the ‘good fortune’ mentioned in their grandmother’s riddle – which wouldn’t be anything financial, Isla was sure.

‘Can I get you a cup of tea while you’re waiting?’ asked Rosie. ‘Or a hot chocolate, to warm you up? You’re going to need it out there.’

‘That’s really kind of you but I expect Ben will be ready any minute.’

‘He’s an interesting man, don’t you think? And well-travelled. He was telling me about his trip to India last year, which sounded amazing.’

Had he been to India? Isla had always wanted to explore the backwaters of Kerala and bathe in the Arabian Sea. She could almost feel the heat of the sun on her skin and smell frankincense and sandalwood.

‘Have you ever been to India?’ she asked Rosie.

‘No, afraid not, but Liam and I are still owed a proper honeymoon, so who knows, maybe some day?’

Rosie smiled and twirled the shiny gold ring on her fourth finger.

She and local farmer Liam had been married for a few months now and had thrown a fabulous post-wedding party in a marquee up here on the cliff. It was one of the last events that Jessie had been to before her death and Isla had happy memories of her grandmother having fun with people who’d been friends for years. It had been an excellent final hurrah, before her sudden decline.

Isla swallowed and tried to focus on the grandfather clock in the corner of the hall, which was ticking loudly.

Rosie, always empathetic, gave Isla’s arm a comforting pat. ‘How about I give Ben a call? Just in case he’s forgotten—’ She glanced at the top of the wide staircase that led up from the tiled hallway. ‘No need because here he is now.’

Ben had just appeared on the landing in his donkey jacket, with a navy-blue scarf wrapped around his neck.

‘Hi there, Isla. You’re here already,’ he said, walking downstairs. ‘Are you sure you still want to show me around?’

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