Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Lily woke with a pounding head. She had the vague thought of dragging herself out of bed for a coffee, then rolled over and went straight back to sleep.
At midday, the sound of her phone ringing finally roused her. Fumbling for it, she dropped it on the floor and didn’t get to it before the ringing stopped.
She almost called Flynn straight back before deciding to make a quick bathroom trip first. With that dealt with, she found herself absolutely parched. She needed water. A coffee wouldn’t go amiss either.
Picking up her phone again, she noticed a message from Flynn, asking how she was. She smiled at the phone as she tapped out a message to say she was hungover and would call him in a little while. When the phone burst to life in her hand, she almost dropped it again.
As Maria’s name flashed on the screen, a pang of guilt hit her that she hadn’t checked in to see how everything was going with the ice cream shop.
“Hi,” she said, answering groggily. “I’ve been meaning to call you. How’s the shop?” She grimaced as she set off downstairs. “How are you?”
“You really know how to make your priorities clear,” Maria said, her words tinged with mirth.
“Sorry.” Lily’s mouth was dry as she made a beeline for the kitchen. “I was supposed to ask those questions the other way round. Obviously.”
“The shop is fine. All ticking along nicely. How’s everything with you? I’ve been thinking about you a lot.”
“It’s been a stressful few days,” Lily said. “But I’m feeling pretty good. Aside from my hangover, anyway.”
“Have you been out partying?” Maria asked, the words tinged with surprise.
“I met up with the woman who used to be my best friend.” She grabbed a glass and put it under the tap. “Nancy is two years older than me and lived next door. Apparently, we were inseparable as children.”
“I think I remember Derek mentioning your friend next door.”
“I was nervous about meeting her, but I had a great time.” She smiled, thinking about the previous evening. When the memory of all the alcohol came back to her, she inwardly groaned and took a couple of gulps of water. “It almost felt like I already knew her,” she said.
“Do you remember her from when you were little?”
“No.” She thought for a moment. “But I felt a connection to her. We just clicked. After an hour together, we were giggling away as though we’ve been friends this whole time.
It’s strange because she’s not someone I’d usually like.
She talks a lot and is sort of vaguely annoying.
Or she should be, but she’s not. I really like her. ”
“That’s great, Lily. I’m really pleased some good has come from your visit. I’m assuming you haven’t been able to track down your grandmother?”
“No. Most people think she died, but no one seems to know for sure. She was in a rehab clinic after her accident. Some people think she went crazy with grief.”
“But there’s definitely no trace of a death certificate for her?”
“Flynn couldn’t find one. I haven’t mentioned that to anyone here.”
“Maybe she wanted people to think she was dead.”
“The thought has crossed my mind. It makes sense if she thought someone was out to kill her.”
“What about the fire? Have you learned anything new?”
The throbbing behind Lily’s eyes intensified, and she squeezed the bridge of her nose and walked through to the living room. “I’ve been asking questions, but haven’t found anything useful.”
“Are there still people there who knew your parents?”
“Yes. Most of our old neighbours still live here. I’m going to keep asking questions. There’s a guy who lives on a boat who sounds a little shady to me. And I got some weird vibes from the guy who lived opposite us. Maybe I’ll talk to him again, or ask a few more questions about him.”
“I hope it’s not too emotional for you,” Maria said. “But it sounds as though it’s going well so far. Maybe reconnecting with your old friend will also be a way for you to get some closure.”
“Maybe,” Lily agreed. “You know what I’m like, though. I’ll keep asking questions until I know what happened with the fire.”
“What’s your next move regarding your grandmother?”
“I’m not sure. I was a bit put off yesterday because a woman told me that everyone in the village had a grudge against her and I shouldn’t even mention her name.”
“I’m surprised that put you off,” Maria said. “I’d have thought it would make you even more determined.”
“I think it just made me cautious. I don’t want to annoy people before I talk to them properly. But when I spoke to my old neighbour, she said that people were actually very sympathetic towards Clara. So I think I’ll ask around. Maybe I can find someone who knows what happened to her.”
“Will you let me know how you get on?”
“Yes. Sorry. We’re always talking about me. Tell me what’s going on with you.”
“Lily,” she said with a sigh. “You’re visiting your childhood home for the first time in over twenty years. And you just found out your grandma might still be alive. Of course, we’re talking about you. There’s no need to apologise.”
“Thanks. But what is going on there?”
“Not much. Kit and Seren call in to see me every day. I get a few customers too, but it’s mostly quiet.”
“You can just close the shop if you want.”
“I know, but I like to feel useful, and Sally doesn’t really need help at the garden centre at this time of year, so it actually works out well.”
“I really appreciate it.”
They chatted for a few more minutes about their mutual friends and acquaintances on Scilly. It didn’t sound as though Lily was missing out on any excitement, but talking to Maria made her miss the place all the same.
For now, she was where she needed to be, but she was looking forward to being back on St Mary’s with Flynn and getting on with everyday life.
After ending the call with Maria, she hopped in the shower, hoping it might wash away the lingering headache. It wasn’t overly helpful. Fresh air would probably help.
Pulling her coat on, she had an urge to call Flynn back. She’d do it later, though, when her hangover had eased.
Outside, she inhaled the cool air and felt a little better.
The fierce wind carried the faint tang of salt, and she pulled her hat on to keep her hair from being whipped in every direction.
Walking to the end of the road, she joined the footpath beside the river where the water lapped against the bank and reeds rustled in the wind.
After ten minutes in the peaceful surroundings, her headache faded.
She turned back. With her head clear, she had an urge to get back to asking questions.
At the marina car park, she scanned the boats along the jetty.
The end of it seemed to be roped off, though she couldn’t tell why.
Maybe there was a private section out there.
Surely Bert wouldn’t live out there though, right in the middle of the river.
The thought gave her a chill. Most of the boats were in the section of the jetty closer to the shore.
She set off along the wooden walkway, frowning at the murky water that ran beneath.
With no sign of a boat called Mary, she went back to the main section of the jetty and wandered more slowly. A seagull screeched overhead, and ropes tapped rhythmically against masts as they swayed with the waves.
Finally, Lily spotted Mary. The way the lettering had peeled made it look more like Moru, but Lily assumed it was the right boat.
The cabin cruiser was smaller than she’d expected – maybe twenty-five feet.
Presumably the paint had been white originally, but it was more cream now with a grimy green strip at the waterline.
“Hello!” Lily called. “Mr Thatcher?”
The boat rocked, and shuffling noises below deck were accompanied by a series of rapid barks. Then a head poked up from below deck. The wildness in the old man’s eyes matched his unruly, wiry white hair, and the face etched with wrinkles.
“Who goes there?” His voice oozed warmth as he eyed Lily from head to toe. “Friend or foe?”
A smile tugged at the corners of Lily’s lips. “Friend, hopefully. I’m Lily. I believe we used to be neighbours.”
His lips stretched into a beaming smile. “Lily Larkin,” he said with a sing-song lilt. “My goodness me! I heard you were in the village, but I had no idea I’d get the pleasure of your company. I didn’t think you’d remember me.”
“My memories from back then are all quite fuzzy,” she said, understating it. “But I’ve been feeling curious recently, so I thought it was time I came back to see if it sparked any memories.”
He stepped out from the covered part of the deck, and a small dog darted around his feet, its tail wagging cheerfully.
“You look like your dad,” Bert said.
“Most people say I look like my mum,” Lily replied. Until recently, no one had ever remarked on any family resemblances, but in the last couple of days it had started to feel like a standard greeting.
“Yes,” Bert said. “I see your mum in you too. You have her eyes, I think, and her nose.” He set his hands on his hips, and his eyes shone wistfully as he looked her over.
“This is a blast from the past. It hardly seems five minutes since you and Nancy used to come over with your sweet little giggles that my Mary couldn’t resist. She always had biscuits on hand for you.
And you liked to play with old Buster too. ”
“I always did like dogs,” Lily said. “Maybe that’s because of your dog.”
“He was a lovely dog. Docile as anything with you kids.” Bert’s bushy white eyebrows twitched together. “I only wish I’d listened to him sooner.”
“Listened to the dog?” Lily asked, wondering if Bert had all his faculties.
“Yes, it was him who raised the alarm. Wonderful creatures, dogs. I’d never be without one.”
Lily opened her mouth to question him but didn’t get a word in.
“Will you look at me, leaving you out here in the wind and cold. Where are my manners? My Mary would have a fit.” He beckoned Lily aboard.
“We’ll get out of this wind and have a nice cup of tea.
If you’re like everyone else, I imagine you’re wondering what it’s like to live on a boat.
It fascinates people. I’m always happy to answer questions.
” He chuckled. “And no, the toilet doesn’t flush into the river! ”
He rolled his eyes and gestured for her to go below deck.