Page 98 of The Key to the Last House Before the Sea

Nessa, standing beside him, cleared her throat.

‘I know I said it on the phone but I’m sorry I thought you’d told your dad about me leaving the cottage that night.’

‘I think my father might have implied it was me.’

‘He did, but I shouldn’t have believed him so easily. Not after we… I mean…’

She trailed off, pressing her lips together. The lips that Gabriel had kissed. Was he staring at her mouth? He was definitely staring at her mouth.

‘It’s all right,’ he said gruffly, dragging his gaze away and focusing on the dust coating his shoes. Anything to divert his attention away from Nessa because he desperately wanted to sweep her into his arms and kiss away the worry lines on her forehead.

But he had a plan to carry out, and a conversation to have with his father, and his feelings for Nessa were nothing but a ridiculous notion.

Her impression of him might have gone up a notch since she’d found out he hadn’t told tales to his father. But every time she saw luxury apartments where the Ghost Village had once been, she’d think of him as an interfering out-of-towner who’d stamped on her hopes and dreams.

What she didn’t realise was that she’d ignited hopes and dreams in him that were buried beneath years of corporate responsibility. Was he brave enough to stand up and see them through?

‘Is that them?’ asked Nessa, pointing at two lorries that had turned onto the narrow, pot-holed road that led to Sorrel Cove.

‘Yes.’

Gabriel’s heart started pounding. His plan was going wrong from the start. In fact, it wouldn’t get off the ground at all if Amelia let him down.

‘That’s it, then,’ said Nessa, her shoulders slumped. ‘Do you think you can save the mosaic at least?’

‘I’m not sure,’ said Gabriel, his mind jumping ahead.

What could he do if Amelia let him down? He could always lie down in front of the diggers. His father wouldn’t have him arrested… would he? Probably not. But he’d ship him off to some ‘spa’ instead, for psychological assessment.

Nessa was shifting from foot to foot. ‘I’m afraid I can’t watch this. I thought I’d be OK but I’m not. I need to leave.’

‘Please don’t,’ said Gabriel, his hand shooting out and grabbing her arm before he could think it through. Her smooth skin was warm beneath his fingers, and he didn’t want to let go.

‘Gabriel, is that you?’

His father’s shout reverberated through the air as the growl of the lorries carrying the diggers got closer.

Gabriel let go of Nessa. It was all too late. Too late for the Ghost Village and the cottage that Nessa loved. Too late for him to have a different life.

‘Who’s that?’ asked Nessa, squinting into the distance.

A car was approaching, through a cloud of dust. It stopped next to the lorries, which had parked and switched off their engines.

A short woman with grey hair stepped from the car and walked briskly towards him. ‘Mr Gantwich? Apologies for my late arrival but I got caught in traffic. It’s wonderful living in Devon but the world and his wife want to visit us in summer.’ She thrust out her hand.

‘Please call me Gabriel, and thank you for coming.’

Gabriel shook her hand, not sure if the butterflies in his chest were nerves or excitement. He couldn’t back down now. And whatever happened in the next ten minutes, his life was about to change irrevocably. His father would never forgive him, whatever the outcome.

‘What’s going on?’ asked Nessa, looking between Amelia and Gabriel.

He stared into her eyes, keen to get this over with. ‘Just trust me. Please.’

Would she trust him? Nessa didn’t say a word but she followed him and Amelia when they walked into the heart of the ruined village, towards his father.

Billy ended the call he was on and gave a self-satisfied grin. ‘I knew you’d be back, Gabriel, after you’d had a chance to calm down.’ He glanced over his son’s shoulder and his face clouded over. ‘What’s she doing here, and who’s this?’

Gabriel took a deep breath. ‘This is Amelia Fulden, who’s here because I invited her. She’s an archaeologist.’

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