Page 60 of The Sisters at the Last House Before the Sea

Because Paul wouldn’t like it? Caitlin said nothing as Isla twisted her hands together. It was her decision. Her boyfriend.

‘No,’ she said suddenly. ‘I’m sure Paul will be fine with it, seeing as it’s a special occasion. And anyway, it’ll give him and Ben a chance to get to know each other properly.’

‘If you’re sure.’

‘Absolutely.’

‘Then it’s a date. We can sort out the arrangements later.’

Caitlin walked into the hall and pulled the sitting room door closed behind her before opening the message she’d received from Stuart. It was very brief and simply said: Estate agent called. We have a buyer for the house. Sorry x

We, as if selling the house was the result of a joint decision. Caitlin breathed out slowly to steady herself. She would have to tell Maisie the truth this evening about what was going on. She deserved to know, and the situation had become so serious, so real, there was no hiding it any longer.

‘Poor Maisie,’ she murmured underneath her breath.

Poor you, echoed in her brain, but she pushed the treacherous thought away. She’d made her bed and now she’d have to lie in it.

23

MAISIE

Caitlin was being annoying again. Maisie watched as she walked to the window and back to the fireplace. Her stepmother had been criss-crossing the room for the last five minutes, and it was driving her mad.

‘What’s the matter with you?’ she blurted out, when she couldn’t stand the constant back and forth any longer.

‘Nothing,’ said Caitlin, which was obviously a lie. You need to act more like a grown-up – that’s what Caitlin said to her often enough. Yet she continued to treat her like a child all the time. It was totally hypocritical.

‘When are we going home?’ Maisie asked, partly because she wondered when they’d be leaving Heaven’s Cove, and partly for the effect this question seemed to have on Caitlin these days. As Maisie had anticipated, Caitlin’s cheeks began to flush.

‘I’m not sure when we’ll be going back to London,’ she said, going an unflattering shade of fuchsia. She bit her lip and came to sit beside Maisie, who shifted along the sofa, wishing she’d never asked the question. Not if Caitlin was going to get all heavy.

‘The thing is…’ Caitlin took hold of Maisie’s hand.

Maisie stared at her stepmother’s fingers, which were gripping her tightly. Caitlin knew. That was the only explanation for her acting all emotional and peculiar. Maisie had kept her dad’s secret but Caitlin knew anyway.

‘You and Dad are having problems, aren’t you?’ she gulped. ‘I’m not stupid. I know what’s going on with him and Chiara.’

‘I’m sorry, Maisie. I should have told you earlier but I was trying to protect you. Yes, your dad and I are having problems but—’ Caitlin stopped and narrowed her eyes. ‘Hang on a minute. What do you mean, you know what’s going on with him and Chiara?’

‘I didn’t say anything because Dad asked me not to and I didn’t want to cause even more trouble. But it’s been so hard knowing…’ She bit her lip, worried that she might cry, partly with relief that she no longer had to keep this huge secret that was burning a hole in her brain.

‘Knowing what?’ Caitlin urged gently.

‘Knowing that they’re…you know…’

Was Caitlin really going to make her say it? Her stepmother stared at her for a moment and then her eyes widened.

‘Oh. Do you mean…? Your dad and Chiara from his office are…?’ She let go of Maisie’s hand and leaned back against the sofa. ‘Stupid! Stupid!’ she muttered.

At first, Maisie thought Caitlin was talking to her. Until she realised that she was talking to herself.

‘Stupid!’ she muttered again, brushing away tears that were making her hazel eyes glisten.

‘You didn’t know, did you?’ whispered Maisie, horrified that she’d been the one to tell her. ‘I might be wrong. I am wrong. Definitely. I am definitely, definitely wrong.’

Caitlin closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath. Then she brushed the back of Maisie’s hand with her fingers. ‘What exactly do you think you’re wrong about, Maisie?’

Maisie considered lying, but one look at Caitlin’s shocked face told her she couldn’t do it. That, and the fact that she was a dreadful liar who would be instantly found out.

---