Page 51 of The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea

Geoffrey narrowed his eyes. ‘Have you been speaking to Clara about Audrey?’

‘A little. We were looking at her portrait on the second floor.’

What would his father say if he knew that he and Clara had been exploring Audrey’s bedroom that afternoon?

A shadow crossed the older man’s face. ‘Audrey suffered with her nerves and was troubled. My father did his best but he wasn’t enough. We weren’t enough.’ When River put a comforting hand on his father’s arm, Geoffrey pulled his arm away. ‘Anyway, it was all a long time ago and best left in the past. Perhaps you could inform Clara of that if she raises the subject with you again. She has become rather obsessed with the whole thing. I’ve learned that it’s far better to let sleeping dogs lie.’

The wind had changed direction and a sharp tang of the sea was swirling around them.

‘It’s getting late and the effects of jet lag can linger,’ said Geoffrey. ‘You really should have an early night.’

Feeling dismissed, River got to his feet. ‘You’re probably right. Well, I’ll leave you in peace to enjoy your garden, shall I?’ When his father said nothing, he added: ‘Goodnight.’

River had walked only a few steps when he remembered another reason why he had wanted to speak to his father.

‘I was wondering,’ he said, turning back, ‘if it might be possible for Mrs N and Clara to remain in their cottage after the manor is sold. Perhaps you could stipulate that their cottage remains as it is and that they can stay, paying rent to the new owner, of course. Bartie might have already mentioned it.’

‘He hasn’t,’ said Geoffrey, ‘but I don’t see why that can’t be arranged. It’s a good idea that might stop Clara from chastising me in my own home.’

He turned back towards his beloved garden and River walked away, glancing back only once. His father was still as a statue, looking fragile and alone, his back slumped with age and his grey hair thinning.

He was a disappointed man, thought River. Disappointed that he was facing losing his family home. And disappointed that his only child was not the son he wanted.

23

CLARA

Clara rushed along the gravel drive towards the manor house, deep in thought. She’d cracked the code last night and knew what had driven Audrey to take such drastic action in 1957.

That should be enough – Audrey could now be consigned to history, as an abused wife who had taken desperate action in a bid to change her life. But had walking into the sea changed her life, or ended it?

Clara suddenly spotted River and Bartie, standing beneath the tallest oak tree in the garden, their heads bent together. Neither of them looked particularly happy but Bartie waved when he spotted her and his face lit up when she hurried over. He seemed really pleased to see her. Clara ran a hand self-consciously through her hair before she reached the two men.

‘Clara, I was hoping I’d see you today,’ said Bartie, his smile even wider.

‘Why?’ Clara asked, feeling herself growing hotter under his intense gaze.

‘Just because.’ He undid the top button on his blindingly white polo shirt. ‘Seeing you cheers up my day. You bring a little sunshine into my life.’

Clara would have basked in the compliment if she hadn’t noticed River glance up at the sun in a cloudless sky and roll his eyes.

‘That’s lovely of you to say,’ she said, not giving River the satisfaction of knowing she’d seen his childish gesture.

‘So why are you here today? Did you want me?’ Bartie asked with a suggestive raise of an eyebrow.

‘I’m heading for the house to help Mum. She’s going through the books, trying to see where household savings can be made.’

‘A waste of time, but admirable,’ Bartie murmured.

‘And I also needed a quick word with River.’

Bartie’s smile became more fixed. ‘Really? If it’s something to do with the house, you’d be better off talking to both of us.’

‘No, it’s not about the house. It’s a personal matter.’

Bartie stared at her, waiting for her to go on, while Clara panicked inside. She really hadn’t thought this through.

‘Um…it’s about Michael, my brother. He’s living in Canada now but he’s planning a visit and is really keen to see River again. So I said I’d sort out a rendezvous. It’s all boring, boring stuff, and I’m sure you’ve got meetings to arrange and…and other things.’

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