Page 45 of The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea

She took a few steps before turning back and, on a whim, pulling open the drawer of the bedside table. Her grandmother had kept Audrey’s diary, something that was important to her, hidden in the drawer of her bedside table. What did Audrey keep in hers?

Unlike her grandmother’s drawer of tat, there was nothing in there except for another book – a large book bound in brown leather, which looked familiar. As she picked it up, Clara realised it was the ancient dictionary that Audrey was holding in her lap in her portrait.

Clara could understand why Audrey might want to re-read Rebecca at bedtime. But why take an old dictionary from the library and keep it close while she slept?

‘Come on, Clara. We’ve pushed our luck already,’ said River from the doorway. ‘If my father finds us up here, he’ll go absolutely bananas.’

‘Why do you think Audrey kept this old dictionary next to her bed?’ asked Clara, tracing the cracked binding with her fingers.

‘I have no idea.’

‘It’s not exactly bedtime reading, is it?’

‘It wouldn’t be my choice before I settle down to sleep. I’d prefer the latest Harlan Coben.’

‘So why keep it close, rather than in the library?’ asked Clara, but River had already gone.

‘Come on!’ she heard him call.

‘Right behind you,’ she called back.

There had to be a reason why this book was important to Audrey and she really wanted to know what that reason was. Clara made a snap decision. Her grandmother had taken a diary from this bedroom and she was about to take a dictionary. Tucking it under her arm, she pulled the bedroom door closed and hurried after River, down the narrow staircase.

After emerging onto the second floor, Clara closed and locked the door and dropped the key into her pocket.

‘What are you two doing, huddled at the end of the landing?’

Bartie had just appeared at the top of the grand staircase. He walked towards them, a frown creasing the skin between his dark eyebrows.

‘Nothing,’ said Clara, taking several steps away from River.

‘We were admiring the portrait of Audrey Brellasham,’ said River smoothly. ‘Have you seen it? She’s Geoffrey’s stepmother, who disappeared years ago.’

‘Yeah. Great,’ said Bartie on reaching them. He didn’t even glance at the portrait. ‘What are you carrying?’ He was staring at the book under Clara’s arm.

River glanced at Clara and rolled his eyes. ‘Yeah, Clara, what have you got there?’

‘Just an old book I found,’ said Clara brightly. ‘I’m going to return it to the library.’

Bartie stared at them both, suspicion etched across his face. But then his features relaxed and he smiled.

‘I’ve been looking for you both to let you know that my developer contact is coming to view the manor later this week. She’s very excited about this house and has lots of potential plans for it already. I think getting her to sign on the dotted line is going to be a slam dunk.’

‘Really?’ Clara felt flutters of panic in her stomach because the sale suddenly felt very real. ‘Do you think she’ll be amenable to leaving our cottage intact and letting Mum stay on there?’

‘Clara told me about your great idea,’ said River, an unfamiliar edge to his voice.

‘Did she?’ Bartie laughed and caught hold of Clara’s hand. ‘I said I’d try to save your home, Clo, and I’d never renege on a promise, especially to you.’ He gave Clara a beaming, perfect-teeth smile. ‘But there are no guarantees, of course. All I can do is my best.’

Clara was surprised that hearing her nickname from Bartie’s mouth slightly put her teeth on edge. He’d never used it when they were teenagers together, though, thinking about it, he’d hardly ever spoken to her back then. He’d always made her feel like River’s annoying little friend who insisted on tagging along. But people could change.

‘Your best will be fantastic,’ she told him. ‘Thank you. I really appreciate it.’

‘You’re very welcome,’ said Bartie, dropping her hand.

‘What kind of development is your contact interested in pursuing with this house?’ asked River, frowning.

‘Nothing too radical. She’s very into preserving the history and heritage of these magnificent buildings.’

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