Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
V erity walked back towards Cliff Top Cottage, the conversation with Sam very much on her mind. From the short time she’d spent in his company she thought of him as ambitious yet laid back, enjoying life and living for the moment without many cares; but he definitely had a problem with Pete. What could be so bad as to cause so much resentment between the two men? As she ambled up the cliff path towards the cottage she saw Pete sitting outside on a rickety old chair, with a newspaper spread across his lap. He looked up when he heard the crunch of gravel under her feet.
He closed the newspaper. ‘You came back then?’
‘I did. You didn’t doubt me, did you?’ She smiled, placing her rucksack on the table and rummaging inside. ‘Here we go. They were sorry to see me go and didn’t expect it, if I’m honest.’
‘Why did you resign?’ He nodded towards the wicker rocking chair beside him. Verity sat down and immediately rocked backward, taking her feet clean off the ground. She tried to steady herself.
Pete tried to hide his smile. ‘That chair gets me every time.’
‘I needed a change of scenery. I’m fast approaching thirty and needed to sort out my life.’
‘And you had your heart broken.’
She eyed him carefully. ‘And that, too. But since I’ve been here, I’m lucky the thought of him has barely crossed my mind.’
Pete nodded. ‘Counting puffins will keep you busy.’
‘Does that mean I’ve got the job?’
‘Judging by these references I’d be silly not to take you on. It’s clear they would take you back in a heartbeat.’
‘That was the plan for after my travels, but I’m beginning to think there’s more to life than the same street that I’ve lived in for a very long time, going through the same routine, with the new added nuisance of constantly trying to avoid my ex, who has moved in across the street.’
‘That can’t be easy.’
‘What about you? How long have you been here?’
Pete looked towards the cottage. ‘A lifetime.’
‘Have you ever thought about moving?’
‘No, I couldn’t. I’m waiting.’
‘Waiting for what?
‘Just waiting,’ he replied, taking out his handkerchief and mopping his brow. ‘Would you like a drink?
‘Tea would be good. If you have time.’
‘I have a lot of time on my hands now I’m retired. I used to be in the same game as you.’
‘I think you were higher up the game than me. I believe that used to be your vet’s practice,’ she said, pointing to the building.
‘It did. I do miss the everyday routine.’
Verity watched Pete disappear inside the cottage. Even though at first he appeared to be a little rough around the edges, he’d really started to soften and Verity liked him. She didn’t find him difficult to talk to at all.
He soon returned and handed her a mug of tea. ‘You’ll need old clothes for the puffin count as you’re mainly going to be wriggling on the ground with your arm stuffed down a hole. Bare hands, too, as you have to detect the presence of monogamous pairs and whether they’re sitting on an egg. I can guarantee after a while you’ll be sick of it.’ Pete held out his hand. It was covered with tiny scars. ‘Puffin bites. I suppose it’s only natural they’re unsettled when they see a hand coming into the burrow.’
Verity looked down at her own hands.
‘There’s still time to change your mind.’
‘Absolutely not, I’m up for the challenge.’
Pete nodded. ‘So, why a veterinary assistant? Why not carry on with your learning, become the boss?’
Verity knew exactly why and saying it out loud she could kick herself now. ‘Because my partner at the time didn’t like me to grow. He kind of sucked the life out of me a little, and it’s only in looking back now that I can see how he suppressed my personality to fit in with him, and his friends, and the life he wanted…’
‘But now? There’s nothing stopping you if you have the drive and ambition.’
Verity considered what Pete was saying. ‘You’re absolutely right but that’ll mean a lot more studying.’
‘But it would be worth it in the long run.’
‘You’ve certainly given me something to think about.’ Verity looked over towards the building by the garage that used to be Pete’s veterinary surgery. ‘It’s a shame it’s closed.’
‘It won’t be for long. I know there aren’t many residents on the island but the vet from Sea’s End is looking to open a second surgery and we’re in the middle of negotiations. It might only be a part-time surgery at first but my guess is those hours will increase as time goes on.’
They both looked up as a shadow was cast over them. Nathan was standing there with a smile on his face. ‘You’re one lucky lady.’
Verity gave a tiny gasp and put her hand on her heart. ‘Are you saying what I think you’re saying?’
Nathan nodded. ‘You can pick up the van tomorrow lunchtime.’
‘Thank you!’
‘I’ve even fixed the clock for you, so you don’t have any more causeway accidents in the future.’
‘What’s this?’ asked Pete as they watched Nathan walk back towards the garage.
‘I’m the idiot that drove onto the causeway this morning and got stranded.’ She put up her hands. ‘But in my defence it was a genuine accident. My phone was flat and the clock in my van wasn’t working.’
‘And where do you sit on the barrier discussion?’
‘I can actually see both sides and I do hope you can work it out soon between you all. It can’t be much fun butting heads all the time.’
‘It’s never fun butting heads when each side is passionate. Where are you going to stay tonight, the hotel or B this ongoing feud between you two must be draining.’
As soon as she said Pete’s name the smile dropped from Sam’s face and she instantly wished she’d never said a word.
‘Let’s not have this conversation and spoil the evening.’ Sam slid back his chair and walked to the water’s edge. Jimmy was soon by his side and Sam bent down and threw a stick into the water.
Verity quietly exhaled. She could kick herself. She didn’t mean to upset Sam or the evening. Knowing she’d overstepped the mark, she picked up both of their glasses and walked to the water’s edge. She handed one glass to Sam.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.’
‘It’s difficult to talk about.’
‘It’s okay, I shouldn’t have pushed the conversation. I suppose I’m just finding it difficult to understand the issue now that I’ve spent some time in your company and in Pete’s. You both seem like decent people to me. Whatever is going on, wouldn’t a simple conversation between you both be the way forward? You could talk it out, agree to disagree, and as for the barriers on the island, I’m no rocket scientist but even I could come up with a simple solution that would satisfy both sides.’
‘Don’t you think I’ve tried with Pete? I’ve tried to have that conversation on more than one occasion but…’
‘But? What can be that bad?’
Sam looked her straight in the eyes. ‘I think Pete was responsible for my grandfather’s death and he’s the only one that knows the truth.’
Verity let the long pause that followed Sam’s shocking declaration hang in the air for as long as she dared.
‘Why do you think that?’
‘Sorry, Verity, I just need a little space. Can you give me a minute?’
She nodded and watched as Sam turned and headed towards the gate, Jimmy close on his heels as they disappeared into the kitchen. Standing on the sand, she wasn’t quite sure what to do. Should she follow him or not? He said he needed space but to her it looked like he was battling some sort of trauma. Not wanting to see him upset, she decided to follow, but as soon as she stepped into the kitchen, she heard the front door shut behind him. She could kick herself. He’d gone to all this trouble to spend some time with her and now she’d driven him away. Making her way back to the cove, Verity cleared away the dishes and washed them up before heading back outside. After pouring herself some more wine she sat back, thinking about the death of Joe Wilson. She Googled him from her phone and browsed through a selection of images. One caught her eye as she immediately recognised the makeshift stage in the corner of The Olde Ship Inn, in exactly the same spot where Sam had performed only last night. The next photo showed the group standing on a jetty, a crowd stretching all along Blue Water Bay. Verity knew it was Puffin Island from the lighthouse towering in the distance. Scrolling further down she was shocked to read the next headline.
Multi-talented Joe Wilson, singer-songwriter, loses his life in the same spot he performed only hours earlier to a packed-out bay.
There was a photo of Joe with his hands clutching a microphone, looking very rock ’n’ roll with a guitar slung across his body. Verity read the article and felt her eyes brimming with tears as she learned the way his life was taken.
‘Playing detective?’
Sam was back and standing behind her, looking down at her phone screen.
‘You’re back.’
‘I’m sorry. I just needed a breather and I used the time to pick up another bottle.’ He held up the wine.
‘You don’t need to be sorry. I honestly wasn’t prying as such. I was just trying to understand why you were so upset. Sam, this is awful, such a tragic accident.’
‘It’s okay, it’s not a secret; it’s there in black and white.’
‘I don’t recognise that pier, is it no longer there?’
Sam sat back down opposite her. ‘The pier was demolished after there had been numerous deaths. Never mind the causeway putting lives at risk, that pier was the worst danger on the island.’
‘How?’ asked Verity, not quite understanding.
‘The pier was on stilts and tourists loved to jump off it, thinking it was safe, despite numerous signs telling them not to enter the water under the pier. The rip currents that flow through there are well known to everyone on the island, as they can quickly drag people and debris away from the shallows and out into the deeper water, but tourists didn’t always read the safety warnings.’
‘But your grandfather would know about the rip currents, surely?’
‘He did because he was also one of the volunteer coastguards.’
‘So how was he dragged out to sea?’
‘According to the coastguard logbook he was on duty that night along with…’
‘Pete?’
Sam nodded. ‘His so-called best friend. But something just doesn’t stack up. I know it was before my time, but I believe there’s more to my grandfather’s death.’
‘It says here it was an accident.’
‘It could have been, but, as I said, my grandfather was a volunteer coastguard and knew about the rip currents. He wouldn’t have just jumped in without backup.’
‘What does Pete say?’
‘This is where it gets interesting, because for whatever reason he was late for duty that day. The logbook shows he clocked in thirty minutes late. No one was ever late on duty. You were there to save lives and if you couldn’t attend your shift or were going to be late, you’d arrange for another coastguard to cover you.’
‘What was Pete’s excuse for being late?’
‘It was never explained. All I know is that Pete was late and my grandfather died.’
‘And you think he has something to do with it?’
‘I think he knows more than he’s letting on, but he won’t speak to me about it. When I was younger, I tried to talk to him about it, but I admit I was a little hot-headed in my approach.’
‘What happened?’
‘He was up at Cliff Top Cottage and we actually ended up getting into an altercation.’
‘You got into a fight?’
‘I’m not proud about it, but yes. I think more out of frustration than anger. He couldn’t or wouldn’t give me any answers no matter how many times I asked him where he was that night. Why hadn’t he arrived on time? Was he late because they’d had some sort of falling out? After I suggested that, Pete shook his head and went to walk away but I grabbed his shoulder, spun him around and went to land a punch clean on his jaw. But I missed. Lost my balance and fell to the ground. Before I knew it, he was holding out his hand to help me up. I refused, got up, brushed myself down and went in for a second punch. That time he defended himself and grabbed my hand. He pushed me backwards and I fell again. I decided to grab his legs and we were both grappling on the ground until I felt my legs being pulled. I looked around and it was Betty.’ He paused whilst he filled the glasses with a little more wine. ‘Sam Wilson, get up on your feet right this minute,’ said Sam, mimicking her voice, and smiled. ‘You don’t mess with Betty Rose. If she says jump, you bloody jump.’
Verity smiled. ‘My granny was a bit like that,’ she shared. ‘Heart of gold, would do anything for anyone, but if she was mad or you crossed her, you’d know about it.’
‘Betty literally got me by the scruff of the neck and marched me down the cliff top path, along the bay and up Lighthouse Lane. Betty lives in Cobblestone Cottage near the tearoom. She didn’t let go of the scruff of my neck until she sat me down on the chair in her kitchen.’
‘I know I shouldn’t laugh but…’ A giggle escaped Verity. ‘And what’s Betty’s take on it all?’
‘She’s never talked about it in much detail. She did admit that she knew for a fact Pete was nowhere near the pier at the time, but she said she would never divulge how she knew that. I just had to trust her.’
‘And would she lie to you?’
Sam shook his head. ‘What you see is what you get with Betty, but because she’s never told me how she knows for sure, from time to time it still eats away at me. I just want answers and for some reason no one is giving them to me. It’s like she’s protecting something or someone.’
‘I can see how difficult it must be for you, especially each year when the anniversary comes around.’
‘And this year it’s been fifty years. Pete has never had another conversation with me about it but that night, during the fight, I could see in his eyes he knew something. I’ve no evidence to back this up, but I think he’s been living with the guilt of something for all these years.’
‘And what makes you think that?’
‘You yourself mentioned that Cliff Top Cottage was one of the most sought-after cottages on the island, just like mine, and you’re right. I’ve received letters through the door on many occasions asking if I wanted to sell the property, and people have offered me more than the actual value of the cottage, but I’d never part with it. And it would have been the same for Cliff Top Cottage, except that soon after my grandfather’s death, Pete started letting it fall apart. People say it was like he had no love for the cottage anymore. He kept himself to himself, concentrated on his job, and never played music again in public.’
‘Played music?’
‘Pete was in the band with my grandfather.’
‘Wow! So he was offered the record contract and had the chance to go on tour too?’
Sam nodded. ‘My grandfather and Pete were like Lennon and McCartney. Girls flocked at their feet. They wrote songs together, they performed together and, according to Betty and the magazine articles, you barely ever saw one without the other. Which makes me wonder yet again where Pete was that night, and why he wasn’t there to help my grandfather when he needed it.’
Verity unlocked her phone and glanced at the photos of the band. ‘Which one is Pete?’ she asked.
Sam pointed. ‘That’s my grandfather – he was the lead singer and guitarist – and that’s Pete, who was also a singer and guitarist. On the drums was Betty’s late husband Eric, and John, another local resident, was the keyboard player. John is now a retired fisherman and lives in one of the cottages by the harbour.’
‘And what’s his relationship like with Pete?’
‘Very much the same as Betty’s. They’re still friends.’
‘Don’t be annoyed with me when I say this…’ She paused, knowing that Sam was incredibly vulnerable and that she needed to word this very carefully. ‘Have you ever considered that Pete may just have been grieving like everyone else? It must have been a shock to him if he lost his best friend, and grief affects people in many different ways. I know that, even now, when I think of my granny, I can get very emotional.’ She reached across and placed her hand on top of his, and noticed the tears filling his eyes before he quickly blinked them away.
‘I get all that, I really do, but there’s just one question I want answered, and I don’t think that’s too much to ask. But apparently it’s a question no one is prepared to answer, and when Pete passes away, he’ll take it with him to the grave.’
‘And what is that question?’
‘Like I’ve said, where was Pete the night my grandfather died? What made him late for his shift?’
‘With the fiftieth anniversary coming up, maybe this is your chance to try again. Maybe you could attempt to put the feud behind you? Build some bridges. There’s one thing that should be uniting you both at this time and that’s the love you both have for your grandfather.’
‘I wish it was that easy.’
‘Make it that easy. Only you can do this. You never know, if you open up to Pete like you have to me, you might just get the answers you need. It must be worth thinking about, surely?’
Sam looked at her. ‘Are you always this wise?’
‘I have my moments.’
‘Thank you.’
‘For?’
‘Listening. I’ve never really talked about it before; only to Betty, and she must be sick of hearing about it by now.’ Sam stood up and held his arms open. Verity placed her glass down before stepping into them. He hugged her tight, a proper hug. Resting her head against his chest, she took in his scent, the fragrance of the aftershave she’d squirted in his bathroom. She briefly closed her eyes, not wanting to step out from his arms.
Sam pulled away slowly and handed her back her glass as they walked side by side to the water’s edge.
They watched Jimmy chase a seagull along the waterline for a while before Sam asked, ‘Have you got any plans for tonight or would you like to watch a film on Netflix?’
‘No plans and that’ll be lovely as long as it’s not some action-packed boys’ film.’
He grinned. ‘I don’t mind getting in touch with my feminine side. I’ll be right back.’
She looked at him, confused. ‘Where are you going? Are we not watching the film inside?’
‘Wait and see. I’ll be back!’
‘Never mind quoting Arnold Schwarzenegger, we agreed no action films!’
Sam grinned as he disappeared back inside the cottage. Jimmy raced after him, giving a playful bark, leaving Verity wondering what Sam was up to. A couple of minutes later he reappeared carrying a mountain of cushions and dropped them on the sand in front of the bistro table. He laid out a large blanket then arranged the cushions in a long line. Without saying another word, he disappeared inside again. When he reappeared this time, he was juggling candles and a lighter.
‘Are you sure I can’t help you with anything?’
‘No, you relax. Two more trips and we’ll be good to go.’ His eyes sparkled as he caught Verity’s gaze. Walking around the blanket and cushions he began to space the tealight candles out evenly. On the second walk around he lit them all.
‘Candles, very romantic,’ she murmured.
‘Keeps the midges away.’ He gave her a lopsided grin.
After returning to the cottage again, he brought out a picnic basket and placed it at one end of the blanket. ‘I’m going to get Jimmy settled in the kitchen then I’ll be back out.’
‘Are we really staying out here? Where’s the TV?’
‘Wait and see.’ He wasn’t giving anything away.
Five minutes later, Sam shut the cottage door and walked towards Verity carrying a cardboard box and a small fabric stool. ‘I’m hoping this will work.’
‘What is it?’
‘This is a smartphone projector. A great way to watch movies. Just place your smartphone inside the box, face it forward, and the lens at the front of the box enlarges the image up to eight times and projects the image onto any surface. It’s perfect as it requires no set-up.’
‘I’ve never seen one of those.’
‘It’s like magic. The whole thing is made from cardboard and glass, totally wireless, and uses no additional power. Sometimes in The Sea Glass Restaurant we project images of the fish swimming in the sea onto the wall. But first, let’s get ourselves comfy.’ With the most gorgeous smile, Sam sat up for a moment and reached inside the picnic basket. ‘Something to celebrate your time on Puffin Island.’ He held up a bottle and two flutes.
‘Champagne! Wow, you’re pulling out all the stops. I thought you’d just bought more wine.’
‘That can keep.’ Sam popped the cork, which launched into the air and landed on the sand right at the edge of the water. Verity giggled and got up to race after it.
‘What are you doing?’ he asked, watching her in amusement.
‘Keeping the cork. It’s going in my memory box to commemorate my time on Puffin Island,’ she replied, flopping back down on the cushions and placing it on the blanket next to her before sitting cross-legged. She felt extremely relaxed and comfortable in Sam’s company, enjoying every moment of the evening. Today had gotten off to a shaky start with him, but she liked how he’d opened up to her this evening, especially as she knew it must have been difficult, given he didn’t have full closure over his grandfather’s death. Sitting next to him now, she felt like she’d known him for years.
Sam poured the champagne and handed her a glass. ‘Just for you.’ After filling his own he clinked his glass against hers. ‘Here’s to great company, and a fabulous film night.’
‘But how do we watch the film?’
Sam reached inside the box, pressed the screen on his phone, then placed it back inside the projector and rested it on top of the fabric stool. He pointed it towards a smooth white rock that lay right in front of them. The image was projected onto the rock like a screen in the cinema.
‘How cool is that?’ Verity was amazed.
‘Pretty cool,’ he said, taking out a large bowl of popcorn and placing it at the edge of the blanket. He lay down on his stomach, and Verity mirrored his actions, their bodies touching.
‘You never said which film we’re watching.’
‘I thought I’d keep the beach theme.’
She laughed. ‘Please tell me we’re not watching Jaws .’
‘Not quite.’
Verity threw back her head and laughed as The Little Mermaid began to play.
‘It’s personally one of my faves,’ he said, grinning and taking a handful of popcorn out of the bowl. He popped a couple of pieces into his mouth then held some towards Verity. His hand brushed against hers, sending shivers through her entire body as he gave her an adorable smile.
Verity was unsure exactly what was happening here. Despite his earlier protestation that he wasn’t looking for a relationship, this felt very much like a date to her – possibly the most romantic date she’d ever been on. When she’d set off from home on her journey, the last thing on her mind was getting involved in any sort of relationship, but she knew the second she’d spotted Sam queuing at the greasy spoon there was something special about him.
The best thing to do was sit back and enjoy this night and his company without overthinking it, which was already becoming extremely difficult, because if Verity was to be honest with herself, the red-hot desire she felt for Sam was beginning to consume her. He was quickly becoming the reason she wanted to stay on Puffin Island a little longer.