Page 6 of The Key to the Last House Before the Sea

‘I have been to London but I prefer to live by the sea.’

‘Really?’ he said, wrinkling his nose.

‘Really,’ answered Nessa firmly. ‘Well, enjoy your tea.’

She walked to the door, inwardly fuming. Snooty Gabriel Gantwich made preferring fresh, salty air to traffic fumes sound like a character flaw. So what on earth was he doing in Heaven’s Cove in his suit, reading about Sorrel Cove?

Nessa should go back to the kitchen and wait for Lily to arrive. She should leave this annoying guest in peace to read his important papers. But Sorrel Cove held a special place in Nessa’s heart. So she stopped and asked him: ‘Are you here on holiday?’

He looked up from the cup of tea he’d just poured, seemingly surprised that she was still in the room. ‘Not exactly.’

‘Are you here because of Sorrel Cove?’

Gabriel took a sip of his tea before answering. ‘What makes you think that?’

Nessa felt her face colouring again. ‘I wasn’t snooping but I happened to see the name on the papers you were reading.’

‘And you know Sorrel Cove, do you?’

‘Yes. I know it very well.’

‘Hmm.’ Gabriel caught her eye, for the first time since she’d come into the room, and held her gaze until she felt uncomfortable. Then he said, ‘I’m interested in seeing the place.’

‘Why?’

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. ‘Do I need a reason? I’m interested in its history and I’m told it’s worth a visit.’

‘It’s a very special place.’

‘I’m sure.’ Gabriel carefully placed his cup back into its saucer. ‘I’m interested in the whole of Heaven’s Cove, actually.’ He picked up his pen and tapped it against his mouth for a moment, as though he was thinking. ‘And I need someone to show me around.’

‘It’s not that big. There’s a tourist information place at the village hall, where you can get a map.’

‘A map isn’t the same as being with someone with local knowledge though, is it?’ He tapped his pen some more, then said, ‘I’ll probably regret this, but do you fancy being my tour guide tomorrow?’

Nessa hadn’t been expecting that. She opened her mouth and closed it again. No, she didn’t fancy being his tour guide tomorrow. I’ll probably regret this, he’d said. She definitely would.

Gabriel stared at her. ‘I suppose you’ll be working here tomorrow.’

‘I don’t really work here. I’m between jobs at the moment,’ said Nessa before mentally kicking herself. Why was she telling this man anything about herself?

‘So can you show me around tomorrow or not?’ he asked, a hint of irritation in his voice.

Nessa paused, thinking of the new shoes Lily needed that she couldn’t afford. ‘Will I be paid for my time?’

He shrugged. ‘Of course. What do you charge?’

Nessa bit her lip. Spending time in this man’s company would be a pain, but she knew the local area like the back of her hand – and she was totally skint right now.

‘I charge fifteen pounds an hour,’ she told him, trying to keep her voice level. That was more than she’d earned per hour at the hardware store, but Gabriel Gantwich, in his beautifully cut suit, looked like he could afford it.

Her suspicions were confirmed when he nodded straightaway.

‘All right.’

Nessa made some mental calculations. A tour round Heaven’s Cove would take at least an hour, if she showed him all the sights. And then there was the walk across the headland to the Ghost Village, and she could spend a while telling him the history of the place, in great detail.

She could probably make forty quid, which would buy the shoes and some new T-shirts for Lily. She was growing out of everything, and Jake’s promise of new clothes for his daughter had never materialised.

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