Page 98 of Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea

CHAPTER 29

Over the next two days, doors began to creak at Driftwood House and the wind moaned through the eaves as though the building was anticipating its fate.

Rosie kept herself busy, packing up final precious mementos, arranging to store the small pieces of furniture she wanted to keep, and finalising the house clearance once she’d left for Spain. The proceeds would go to charity, the children’s trust that she believed her mother and Evelyn were volunteering for when they first met.

The fridge was filled with enough food for her and Matt so there was no need to venture into Heaven’s Cove, and she was glad to stay away. The village had wheedled its way into her heart more than she’d thought possible and she didn’t want to make leaving any more difficult.

Matt had sent her just one text after heading to the airport. It was short and to the point: Rosie, let me know when you’re back in Spain and we can talk about us. I still think you’re making a big mistake with Charles Epping. You need to think of your future. Matt.

Her future or his? Rosie would let him know when she was back but she knew for certain that their relationship was over. She doubted he’d be too heartbroken – Carmen would see to that.

Sighing, she folded a pair of jeans and placed them in her suitcase. At least in Spain she could soak up the sun, throw herself into her work and put all of this behind her. Or maybe she’d move on to somewhere new. Another country, where she could reinvent herself and live another life. The prospect, once so exciting, now made her feel apprehensive and exhausted.

She glanced at her watch. Just time for a quick walk to the cliff edge to look over the view for the last time before leaving for the airport with Nessa. Rosie had promised her Sofia’s car and, in return, Nessa was insisting on driving her to catch her flight.

Rosie had closed the front door behind her for the final time when she heard a vehicle labouring up the cliff track. Had Nessa got someone to drop her off? If so, her friend had a very posh car. The gleaming black Audi, now streaked with mud, pulled to a halt in front of her and the tinted window slid down.

‘Ms Rose Merchant?’

‘That’s me.’

The bald, unsmiling man in the driving seat reached across and took a letter from the passenger seat which he passed through the window. ‘I’ve been asked to deliver this to you.’

With that, he closed his window, executed a careful turn and lurched slowly back down the track.

Rosie turned the typed envelope over in her hands. It was addressed to her, and the cream paper inside bore the embossing of the Eppings’ solicitor.

Dear Ms Merchant,

I am writing on behalf of my clients Charles and Cecilia Epping to inform you that the possibility of constructing a small hotel in Heaven’s Cove is now being pursued on an alternative site. Plans to demolish Driftwood House have therefore been shelved indefinitely.

Yours sincerely,

Ellis Buck

Rosie read the two sentences over and over, hardly able to believe what she was seeing.

‘Hey, Rosie, are you all set for Spain?’

‘Hi, Nessa, I didn’t hear you arrive.’

‘I walked and almost got run over by some idiot in a posh car. Who was that?’

‘Someone delivering a letter.’

‘Haven’t they heard of Royal Mail?’ grumbled Nessa, picking up Rosie’s suitcase to test its weight, and grimacing. ‘Is it important?’

‘You could say that.’

Rosie handed the letter over and watched as Nessa’s face broke into a huge grin.

‘But that’s great, isn’t it? It seems the hideous Eppings do have hearts after all.’

‘Hmm.’ Rosie wasn’t sure that any hearts were involved. Either Cecilia was trying to keep Rosie sweet so she wouldn’t make a fuss, or Charles Epping was salving his conscience, just as he’d done with her mum.

‘So what happens now? Do you still want to go to the airport, now the house has a reprieve? Do you think the Eppings will go for your guesthouse idea? Ooh, you could stay and run it. Didn’t you say you help out at a B&B already? There you go, you’ve got experience and you love the place, so you’re the perfect person to get it off the ground.’

‘That was never the plan, and I’ve already got jobs that I need to get back to before my bosses give me the boot. I can’t give up everything because the Eppings have deigned to change their minds.’

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